DIY Kayak camera mounts were invented as kayak anglers and touring paddlers begun to capture photography and video of their trips to share their point of view with family and friends. With the affordability of waterproof cameras and now the light weight action sports cameras anyone can record their day of fishing, paddling and with a little time behind a computer and video editing software compile pretty neat short videos of highlights! The following are a few mounts I have used in the past!
The DIY PVC Pipe Camera Mount:
The inexpensive way to mount a camera to your kayak. A length of 1/2″ PVC makes for great DIY camera mounts. You have the ability to customize the mount to fit your personal needs. You may not know this but 1/2″ PVC slides loosely with no play right into a Scotty mount with ease. Want it to snug up? A single layer of Gorilla Tape around the portion that will insert into the Scotty mount will snug up nicely.
Using a 1/2″ PVC cap and drilling a hole that will allow a 1/4 – 20 screw will allow the camera to mount directly to its threaded insert. The downside of PVC is the longer the length the more flex the less of a still video image.
Small Camera Tripods:
Cheap 6″ mini camera tripods are also great due to their pivoting head creates the ability to level out the camera. To mount the mini tripod you can use zip ties mount just about anywhere. You can also remove the leg portion of this tripos and use the pivoting head on the PVC mount above. Simply install it where drilled to accept the 1/4 20 screw.
The Good Old Hat Tripod!
Some Kayak anglers simply drilled a hole through the bill of a baseball cap then ran a 1/4 20 bolt though threaded side up. You now have a head mounted camera on the cheap! These hat cam hats can also be purchased from eBay and Amazon.