The difference in maneuverability make the cost bearable. I still feel like they are over priced.
The kayak is set up from the factory to accept the kit and you only have to drill 4 holes and run the cables etc.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Rudder
Here is the finial out come of the rudder install. I wish I would have taken pictures of the process. :(
The difference in maneuverability make the cost bearable. I still feel like they are over priced.
Here is the kit I purchased from ACK LINK
The kayak is set up from the factory to accept the kit and you only have to drill 4 holes and run the cables etc.
The difference in maneuverability make the cost bearable. I still feel like they are over priced.
The kayak is set up from the factory to accept the kit and you only have to drill 4 holes and run the cables etc.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Flush Mount Rod Holders
Simply put I wanted these to allow me to insert my PVC GoPro mount. 2 2-1/4 holes and some rivets later and there it is.
I did seal everything up with marine sealer.
I also still have the option of using my Driftmasters back there.
I did seal everything up with marine sealer.
I also still have the option of using my Driftmasters back there.
Trailer Conversion
My truck is so high it is a pain in the butt to get the yak back into the bed on most of the boat ramps. The hardest part is getting in the bed while the yak nose rests on the tailgate. It wants to slide off. So you have to hold the yak and climb in while doing so!
I made a trailer for trips we take in our Civic and thought I would convert it to double as a yak trailer. I still want to do this but I have some trips coming up and I needed something done now so I focused on my 5x10 utility trailer.
To give you an idea of my initial plans, I will post what I have done to both trailers to give you ideas you can use if you decide to build one.
Trailer One (Locking storage)
I started with this small trailer from Lowes for right at 450.00 (edit: they have gone up)
This has a wire mess floor and the tailgate slides up and off. The first thing I did was drill holes and bolt the gate so it could not be removed. From the reviews I read, it bounces around a bunch otherwise. It does have a tab at the base that boots up to one on the frame but I wanted stronger sides so I did it this way. Once that was done I cut a thin piece of plywood and mounted it in the floor. The trailer has a metal tube at floor level on each side the light wires run through. I bowed the ends of the plywood and worked the ends under those tubes. no other fastening was required. On top of that I cut up an old truck mat that was in my shed when we purchased the house. You can see it here....
You can also see the tag mounted center on the gate. The flimsy tag holder under the light was risky and every time I would lift the tongue to move the trailer I would bend the tag on the ground. This required I also install a tag light. I picked up one from Advance auto...
Then I wanted a way to secure stuff for overnight hotel stays. I had a large piece of metal from a 2 ton truck overhang. ( attached to dump bed jutting out over over cab) so I cut it to size and bolted it on the front half. Then I made a frame of angle iron and welded on hinges. I welded that to the stationary front metal.
I picked up some stainless steel sheets from Lowe's and cut those to fit in the openings of the frame. (I split the frame down the middle for support) I then cut plywood to go in next and welded tabs to hold it all in place.
I welded on hardware to allow me to lock it up with a pad lock.
After the hardest part was finished I added the same rubber I used for the floor to the front to deflect road debris and rain. For the sides and back I zip tied in clear plastic floor runner. (you know, the kind grandma used to protect her carpet in front of the couch)
I added more D rings in case I want to have tie downs for the yak later down the road or to secure a cooler.
Don't forget the stickers!
OK so all I need is a long tongue and some sort of rack to hold a yak and it will be set to haul my predator. I have not gotten to that point yet. I did take the trailer on a trip to Wisconsin and it did great behind the Civic.
While in WI I picked up a spare and spare mount for it just to be safe. Besides the long tongue , I also want to add two little doors on the front sides for access with the yak in place.
>>>LINK TO PART TWO<<<
The quick haul....
OK so this is what I set up last weekend for an upcoming trip to VA for some river fishing....
I had this utility trailer so I just removed the ramp gate and put a roller on the back so I would not be dragging the yak every time I load it. This will help if I have it loaded down.
I put 4 inch PVC tubes for support. I just used wood screws (3 each) and plastic supports along each side (two per tube) ....
Then a rubber "V" at the nose to keep it from resting on metal going down the road.
It sits nice and I use motor cycle straps to secure it in place. No ratcheting!
I did not get a pic, but I replaced the back lights with waterproof LED lights in case I want to back further into the water.
CON: The size and weight of the trailer
PRO: It sits very low to the ground for easy loading.
I made a trailer for trips we take in our Civic and thought I would convert it to double as a yak trailer. I still want to do this but I have some trips coming up and I needed something done now so I focused on my 5x10 utility trailer.
To give you an idea of my initial plans, I will post what I have done to both trailers to give you ideas you can use if you decide to build one.
Trailer One (Locking storage)
I started with this small trailer from Lowes for right at 450.00 (edit: they have gone up)
This has a wire mess floor and the tailgate slides up and off. The first thing I did was drill holes and bolt the gate so it could not be removed. From the reviews I read, it bounces around a bunch otherwise. It does have a tab at the base that boots up to one on the frame but I wanted stronger sides so I did it this way. Once that was done I cut a thin piece of plywood and mounted it in the floor. The trailer has a metal tube at floor level on each side the light wires run through. I bowed the ends of the plywood and worked the ends under those tubes. no other fastening was required. On top of that I cut up an old truck mat that was in my shed when we purchased the house. You can see it here....
You can also see the tag mounted center on the gate. The flimsy tag holder under the light was risky and every time I would lift the tongue to move the trailer I would bend the tag on the ground. This required I also install a tag light. I picked up one from Advance auto...
Then I wanted a way to secure stuff for overnight hotel stays. I had a large piece of metal from a 2 ton truck overhang. ( attached to dump bed jutting out over over cab) so I cut it to size and bolted it on the front half. Then I made a frame of angle iron and welded on hinges. I welded that to the stationary front metal.
I picked up some stainless steel sheets from Lowe's and cut those to fit in the openings of the frame. (I split the frame down the middle for support) I then cut plywood to go in next and welded tabs to hold it all in place.
I welded on hardware to allow me to lock it up with a pad lock.
After the hardest part was finished I added the same rubber I used for the floor to the front to deflect road debris and rain. For the sides and back I zip tied in clear plastic floor runner. (you know, the kind grandma used to protect her carpet in front of the couch)
I added more D rings in case I want to have tie downs for the yak later down the road or to secure a cooler.
Don't forget the stickers!
OK so all I need is a long tongue and some sort of rack to hold a yak and it will be set to haul my predator. I have not gotten to that point yet. I did take the trailer on a trip to Wisconsin and it did great behind the Civic.
While in WI I picked up a spare and spare mount for it just to be safe. Besides the long tongue , I also want to add two little doors on the front sides for access with the yak in place.
>>>LINK TO PART TWO<<<
The quick haul....
OK so this is what I set up last weekend for an upcoming trip to VA for some river fishing....
I had this utility trailer so I just removed the ramp gate and put a roller on the back so I would not be dragging the yak every time I load it. This will help if I have it loaded down.
Then a rubber "V" at the nose to keep it from resting on metal going down the road.
It sits nice and I use motor cycle straps to secure it in place. No ratcheting!
I did not get a pic, but I replaced the back lights with waterproof LED lights in case I want to back further into the water.
CON: The size and weight of the trailer
PRO: It sits very low to the ground for easy loading.
GoPro HERO Mounts
I picked up a HERO in hopes to catch some footage along with some fish!
So far I have three locations set up to use for various angles.
I used a seat bar/pole mount attached to my stake out pole so I can drift away from the camera and get a full view of the yak.
Also a rod holder mount, for over the shoulder views, made from PVC. I used the camera stand adapters. I glued the male end into the PVC cap and screwed the female end onto that. I will be rigging a lanyard to the camera in case this fails or breaks.
The last mount , I used an extension and mounted this right onto my fish finder with the stick on mounts that came with the camera. On top of that I used a swivel mount to allow me to have 360° views without having to remove the camera.
After my first trip, I should have an idea of what works and what will need to change.
So far I have three locations set up to use for various angles.
I used a seat bar/pole mount attached to my stake out pole so I can drift away from the camera and get a full view of the yak.
Also a rod holder mount, for over the shoulder views, made from PVC. I used the camera stand adapters. I glued the male end into the PVC cap and screwed the female end onto that. I will be rigging a lanyard to the camera in case this fails or breaks.
The last mount , I used an extension and mounted this right onto my fish finder with the stick on mounts that came with the camera. On top of that I used a swivel mount to allow me to have 360° views without having to remove the camera.
After my first trip, I should have an idea of what works and what will need to change.
Monday, August 3, 2015
SIx Mile March 2015
Six Mile is my go to on Lake Lanier.... great fishing and away from most boat traffic. Put in at the ramp and head under the bridge. To the left you get deep water and further back coves.
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