Outrigger pontoons
 

I broke down and got a kayak this year.. but it felt a bit wobbly in the bay, with my large butt on it, so I decided I was goign to fabricate some outrigger pontoons.

I went to home depot got some 3 ' long 4' diameter pvc with end caps, cut holes to 1" tubing through 1 side of them and have them rigged up on both sides now about 3 feet away from the yak. I took it out for a test run and so far I love it.
very stable and once I got the height right they dont drag much when I am rowing. I feel much safer now reaching behind me to grab the fishing rod.

I painted them with rattlecan tan that comes close to matching the yak. have them rigged where I can install and remove them easily with a couple or retaining bolts. I will get some pics next time she's in the water.

I have seen some online but they seemed pricey, so went with the homemade version. Do any of you use anythign like this, as it definatly had me concerned about tipping if I hooked a good fish. Now, not so much.

:fishin:

i always envisioned using the space between
the yak and the outrigger as a landing zone
having it covered in netting .... to slide the bass up on
but of course that would be on a self propelled kayak.

thats a good idea, especially with the 1" pvc tubing as the support beams for the 4" diameter pontoons.
It would be very easy to put netting across and I can lean over and just barely put the beams underwater which would make it easy to coax a fish into the netting. I already have a large deep cycle battery I use for my squid lights on the navy pier and have been thinking about getting a small trolling motor. :fishin:

exactly! you've got the concept ....little lean to the right as soon as the fish cooperates (rolls over)
and then you have a work area
to de hook the bass without having to pull it all the way up into the yak ...
cleaner and safer especially when your expecting one last head shake...

lean right get it onboard,
lean left for a easy photo op, especially for those that are being released.
(not so worried about my phone taking a swim with me using the outriggers)


Will have to do that and try to test it out this weekend.


:fishin:

http://mathewyoung.com/kayak1.JPG
Skunked but had fun.

you needed a side view so we could see the length
of the pontoons and preferably while it's sitting in the water
that being said ....it's a very cool looking rig....

idea's that came to mind : that duel trolling motors be inside
the pontoon's..... just because they're about the same size
but that wouldn't fly because they float on top...
and it's too Jame's Bond
a concept... :)

how did you JOIN the down pipe sections into the pontoon's?
is there a receptor fitting up inside there? (that's a guess)

where is your fish finder transducer mounted?

I did this as cheap as possible, ie.. I used an old solderign gun and cut the holes for the downpipes to pass into the main 4" dia. pipe, and then using the same solderign iron I "welded" the end 1" pipe to the inside of the larger tube before capping the ends. I "welded" the inner and outer of where the 1" goes though the main tube. Actually worked pretty good and seems to hold its strength well. I used the same technique on all the joints and followed up with epoxy as well.

The trolling motor seemed cool, but is almost more hassle than its worth, battery and motor add significant weight to the kayak. I will only be using the motor in freshwater (like wordens pond).

I am using the same fish finder, that my great great granfather used.. . a sharp eye and a gut feeling

Tesla....the electric car company is embarking on a mission
to be their own electric car battery company and hopefully
they will have more juice storage with less weight or at least
create a "breed" of lightweight batteries for all applications

QUOTE COOL BEANS:
I am using the same fish finder, that my great great grandfather used..
a sharp eye and a gut feeling....