Even though the winter seems to pass by very slow in most instances, its amazing how fast the spring comes upon us. It was now time for the HOW NJ First Outing of 2016 at Lake Denmark on May 1st. What was once 3 months away in planning was merely felt like a week ago. A large scale event was planned with two trailers of kayaks and gear allowing 20 veterans and their familys along with 5 veterans with their own gear.  Yes HOW NJ has a few veterans whom enjoyed the outings so much they decided to purchase their own kayaks and gear.

As the event date approached my reputation for bad weather while coordinating an event was shaping up to hold true. The weather reports were calling Sunday a wash and Saturday to be beautiful. Couldn’t it have been the other way around?!! The thought of cancelling dwindled but holding strong the decision was made not to cancel the first outing of the season as many look forward to the occasion.

A few volunteers Prefished Lake Denmark on the Leap Year which turned out to be a beautiful day. They staged the trailers and gear for the following day. I fished later that night in the Aurthur Kill again to hunt down some big stripers. With no luck that night only snagging bunker while trolling had to call it early in order to be up early for the HOW event.

I awoke around 6 am and upon looking out the window seeing the ground was dry had a bit op hope that the day wouldn’t be as bad as forecasted. Being that the event was rain or shine i didn’t even look at the weather but once i closed my truck door to head out the rain begun right on que. It rained the entire time to the lake and while setting up. Despite the weather volunteers had already started arriving and loading their gear onto their kayaks. CDP was setting up breakfast and everything had begun to take form.

After a bit the second trailer arrived we immediately unloaded it. A few veterans arrived and after breakfast safety briefing and all we launched them. The rain didn’t really quit at all. My Colombia rain shell had become saturated and I had to change it out for a heavier rain coat. That and the bib (rain pants) I was wearing kept me dry and warm all day which is good since it was wet and in the low 40’s all day.

Our guests still enjoyed their time out on the water despite the cold and wet. Just goes to show that the military is a rain or shine job. A little dampness and rain doesn’t bother our Heroes! Around noon a hot lunch consisting of Chorizo Sausage, Burgers and Hot Dogs along with sides was being served. I brought with me a small pro-pain heater which I set up for anyone that was cold to warm up their hands. It was a good way for the people whom were really wet to warm up a little. It continued to rain and a a few of the veterans went back out fishing a lot with many of the fishing coach volunteers.

Pat and I were able to install a stabilizer on one of the Native Commander tandem kayaks which we had complaints were not stable enough. It seemed to do the job with our guest Father and Son fishing team! Jovani and his son had a blast. Jovani Jr. caught a few fish! I think hes now hooked on kayak fishing!

In all the event was a huge success with a higher attendance than expected with the weather as bad as it was. I for one am happy that we didn’t cancel it and we were able to get some of our Heroes out on the water! I’m hoping the HOW NJ First outing of 2016 is an opening to a great season of events!

Torqeedo Steering Bracket Relocation – Jackson Big Rig

Over time new ideas arise on how to finalize a seamless install for the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 Electric Motor Installed on the Big Rig. Reviewing photos of a similar an install on another boat which flipped the steering bracket lower on shaft of the motor seemed like the best option enabling the motor to use the stock factory “Rudder Ready” cable tubing locations. It made sense and why I hadn’t come up with it previously no one will ever know.

I do recommend this to be the final steering modification for the Jackson Kayak Big Rig steering system for the Torqeedo UL 403.

In the case of my trial installs and with the learning as you go mentality, the modified steering cable install will require a total overhaul to relocate the steering bracket and steering cable locations. The modification will allow the use of the factory “Rudder Ready” locations so the relocation of the tubing is not necessary on the initial install.

Tools Needed:

Needle Nose Pliers

Diagonal Wire Cutters

Flat Pliers (for Crimping Swedges)

Scissors

Hex Keys for aligning Tru-Course Pedals

Materials Needed:

(1) Jackson Kayak Rudder Tubing Kit

(1) Jackson Kayak Rudder Cable Kit

Heat Shrink Tubing with Adhesive

4 Swedges

(2) Snap Hooks (Reused)

Bike Chain Lube

Step 1 :

Changing the steering bracket location on the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 is pretty simple. Remove the triangular clamp ring or Steering Bracket from the top of the motor sliding it off of the shaft pipe and power cable. Remove the (joint) mount/trim bracket. Remove the lower clamp ring. Now slide the Steering Bracket on the power/control cable then onto the shaft so the steering brace or clamp ring faces up. Slide the (joint) mount/trim bracket back onto the shaft as it was. Then the lower Clamp ring last so it will be on top.

Tighten the lower ring clamp at the top of the Shaft pipe. While holding the motor straight with the steering bracket tighten on center. The Shaft pipe should not slide up or down at this point. The steering bracket is now reversed to the bottom and the clamp ring to the top. now affix the motor to the boom on the kayak.

If your kayak is stock “Rudder Ready” from Jackson simply skip to Step 4. If using the Jackson Rudder Kit Follow JK instructions for running cables through tubing and footrace upgrade. However I would advise using the Sea-lect Designs Tru-Course foot braces for the install as described in this modification as installed and here as how to install the Sea-lect Designs Foot Braces.

Step 2:

If you are reversing the original installation you will now cut the cable from the foot brace. Prior to removing the old cable and tubing slide the new tubing on the exposed cable. Now feed the old and new tubing through the hole that the existing cable was run through. This will allow you to guide the new cable to the stern of the boat without the hassle of reaching from the stern hatch to grasp the new tubing. Leaving about 12″ or tubing exposed at the foot brace repeat on the opposite side.

Step 3:

Now at the stern remove the old cable and tubing from the wire holders under the deck. Cut off the snap hooks from the existing cable. Set the snap hooks aside as you will be reusing them.

Cut the new cable ends to a point. Using the new cable feed though the hole from the exterior of the kayak and through the new tubing. This should center the tubing on the hole. The tubing is the exact same diameter as the hole. Once you get the point through the hole from the inside of the hull to the outside of the stern use the needle nose pliers to pull the tubing through. Cut off the point flush and using a lighter and the needle nose crimp the tubing an inch down and burn the end. This will create a flange terminating the tubing disallowing it to pass back through the hole.

Step: 4

Using the bike chain oil put a few drops into the new tubing at the foot brace or stern of the kayak. Run the new cable starting from the foot brace or stern. I have always ran my cables from the stern to the bow but have found it may be easier to run from the foot brace back to the stern. Once the cable is run terminate the end at to e foot brace first. This will eliminate the guesswork if the motor is on center or not. Place hex keys into the small hole in the Tru-Course foot brace. This will hold the pedals in the upright ‘centered’ position.

Step 5:

Now using the snap hook clipping them to the steering bracket. Run a about 1″ of heat shrink tubing then a swedge on the cable and make a loop through the snap hook eye with the cable. Run the end through the swedge crimp when taught and the motor steering bracket and motor is centered. Repeat on the opposite side.

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Wrap up: Delaware Paddlesports Demo Day April 23 2016

Good times with Delaware Paddlesports Crew! An overcast but warm day is actually better for a kayak demo day! I can remember sunny days in July the heat, humidity, and sun causing borderline heat stroke.  I will take a cloudy day any day!! Working with Jackson Kayak Dealers is a major responsibility of the Pro Staff Team. 

This was the first of 3 demo days that Delaware Paddlesports had scheduled for 2016. It was great to meet many new and seasoned anglers looking to demo new kayaks for the season! DPS had available just about every kayak in their shop along with Hobies and Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs). Demo days are great in the sense that you can try out many different boats in a day. This way you can get the feeling of how a boat functions to your comfort level and style of fishing. The ability to test first hand how a kayak reacts with maneuverability, stability and overall how the boat fits you. It also enables questions to be answered by industry professionals.

I also enjoy demo days as it gives me a chance to paddle new kayaks for the year from all manufacturers. Paddling all different kayaks is a plus. This way I can answer questions industry wide.

It was great hanging with the DPS team and Kelly Fischer a great guy and the Manufacturers Sales Rep for Outdoor Products from Astral Buoyancy, Liquidlogic, Shred Ready, Native Watercraft, Hurricane Kayaks, and H20 Gear.

Unfortunately I was supposed to finish this article a few weeks ago. The May 21st Demo Day was cancelled due to inclement weather. The next Demo Day is scheduled for June 11th.

Hopefully you can make it out to the next demo day! Delaware Paddlesports offers specials on accessory’s if you purchase a kayak at a demo day. Also remember Delaware is a Sales Tax free state.