The story:

A pretty neat install which I brainstormed up within an hour. A customer came into Delaware Paddlesports a little over a month ago sharing the same passion as I. He is a photographer. Although I don’t venture much into wildlife photography too often this is Geoff’s hobby.

Geoff was looking to get into a kayak for more options to frame wildlife in their habitat. He was interested in a sit on top kayak that he could lay prone on and set up his camera to catch that shot of a lifetime. I recommended the new 2020 Jackson Kayak Kilroy HD or the new 2020 Jackson Kayak Yupik. He seemed set on the Yupik. However due to cost decided to go with a leftover 2019 Jackson Kayak Bite in Granite.

With the extra money he decided to go with the Torqeedo option that I had informed him on. The Bite is the perfect Candidate for the Torqeedo Ultralight 403C.

The Torqeedo Ultralight 403C Uses the orignal ball and bar mounting system but is teamed up with the long life 915 wH battery!

Install:

Since there is no inside hull access on the Bite I used the molly bolts that are included in the Ultralight 403C install kit. These stainless steel anchors once inserted and tightened down expand the metal prongs that flower out to hold the anchor in place.

The Sea-Lect Designs Kayak Adjustable Footbrace w/ Rudder Control (Black) replace the stock Jackson ones using the molded in brass hull inserts for a clean no drill install.

Using the Jackson Kayak rudder tubing kit and 1/16″ stainless cable I ran the lines within the tubing on top of the deck rails utilizing pad eyes as guides which I riveted in. Then terminated the Cables at the motor steering triangle using Stainless Steel Thimble and swages which i heat shrink wrapped. Then added Nite Ize Size-2 S-Biner Dual Carabiner, Stainless-Steel, Black.

For the controller mount I used a YakAttack Mightymount XL Track, 6″ and the Yakattack Throttle Mount for Torqeedo W/LockNLoad Mounting System, 4” ext.

The Up/down lines I also ran through the pad eyes on right side to the Sea-Lect Designs Clamcleat Jr for locking the motor in the up position Controlling Up/Down and Locking in the down position.

This was a really cool and fun install!!

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Fishing Journal 2017 04-21:

Well if your from Delaware or PA or NJ, and you haven’t heard the big Bluefish are thick at Cape Henlopen South Side then you must live under a rock! The daily posting has been crazy on Facebook. Planning the Delaware Paddlesports Crew and a few others decided to hit the bay on Friday April 21st Bluefishing Cape Henlopen. This would be my first time launching in the park and out on this body of water atop my Big Rig.

A good evening:

It was a cool calm evening meeting up with the DPS crew. We all launched around 5:00 PM from the beach by the pier. Some guys were still on the water from earlier. As the DPS guys were all grouped up and taking photos with their cell phones I broke out my DLSR. And took a few pictures of them posing on their Hobies. We fished for a while trolling. No fish for about an hour and a half. Then suddenly the clicker on my Abu Garcia Screaming Fish On! The SP Minnow was on! An excellent fight producing a bluefish just over 28″ in length. Bernie the River Stick guy landed 2 nice ones on a top water hard bait. Joe Hosler had a real nice one in the 42″ range on an SP minnow also. Kevin caught a 16.75″ founder on a large rattle trap. Although the fishing was slow it was a very nice night out.

I’m looking forward to Bluefishing Cape Henlopen and also fishing with the DPS crew again in the near future!

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.