Understanding Kayak Rigging – Mounting Base Options

Mounting bases are an essential part of rigging and personalizing your fishing kayak for your needs. A mounting base is typically and after market install for adding mounts for rod holders, fish finders, and other personalized accessory’s.  In this article ThePlasticHull.net covers basic and typical mounting hardware and bases along with track systems.

Fasteners:

There are 4 main types of fasteners typically used for rigging plastic kayaks.  They are as follows.

1. Thru Bolt: (Best Mounting Solution. This includes metal backing plates used in track system mounting.)
2. Rivets: (Second to the best method)
3. Well Nut & Bolt (Typically used with no inside access)
4. Self tapping screw (Has its uses)
5.  Factory molded threaded inserts (Becoming more common. Standard on Jackson fishing Kayaks)

Accessory Bases:

These fastening methods are used to install a mounting base. Depending on the accessory there are choices on base options. For a long time mounting a spline base or a flush mount spline base was the best method of installing rod holders and safety flags. With the evolution of kayak fishing and innovative accessory companies like Ram Mount,s Scotty, and Yak Attack new mounting options have been invented. To cover a few of the main mount base options.

1. Scotty base
2. RAM Ball Base
3. Rail Blaza Deck Mount Base

Gear Tracks:

The most widely used deck mounting solutions in recent time are track mount bases. Track mounting works just like track lighting. Simply by turning the accessory it can be located and secured in any location on the track desired.  I believe Wilderness Systems were the first to incorporate track mount systems into their fishing line of kayaks. Luther Cyphers of Yak Attack developed first the mighty mount which accepted a T style bolt that also is compatible with a track system.  Later he developed the gear track. The gear track really made rigging possibility’s endless. Also created the ability to slide accessory’s to different positions on the fly.  For paddlers the ability to move rod holders out of your paddle sweep on the fly.

In recent time many other fishing kayak manufacturers are incorporating the Yak Attack Gear track or similar track system into their fishing line of kayaks. Along with the tracks came “T Bolt Accessory’s” . The Screw ball was one of the first solutions for mounting accessory’s to the tracks. The ability to have a RAM Mount accessory on a sliding track made options endless. From mounting Rod Holders to Fish finders and camera mounts.

Scotty and RAM Mount spline bases can be adapted to work with track systems by utilizing the Yak Attack MightyMount Post Mount kit. Check it out here!

For 2015 Yak Attack has done it again with a new innovative track system that enables mounting accessory’s from any point on the track. No more sliding from one end to another. Mount between already mounted accessory’s! This is going to make it easy!

For more information on GearTrack Mounting Hardware go to YakAttack.us!

Disclaimer:

Installing hardware may cause damage and/or void manufacturer warranties.  ThePlasticHull.net its authors or any other source of information on this website is in no way responsible for your actions nor any type issues or damage that may occur.  The information provided on this website is a free reference guide only. The authors of all information, sponsors and the owners of the website that host this information are not liable for any problems or issues that arise from the use of this information. Users of this information hereby acknowledge that all use of this information is done by their own free will, at their own sole risk, understanding that destruction of property, injury, or death could occur.

Prior to going out on any event/tournament its a good idea to check the weather forecast prior to packing. This allows you to pack what you will important for the weather instead of packing everything. This time of year it is typically cold nights and cool days so preparing to dress in layers is the best way to go. It appears that this weekend is not going to be very cold but will be a bit windy. Therefor dressing for the wind will be important.

So now that know the type of gear and clothing I will need to bring the next step will be creating a list so forgetting to pack key items is a good idea. Being only 2 nights and a full day and a half of fishing its easy to pack light. All of my fishing tackle and rods are already packed due to previous fishing trips so that cuts out about half of things needed. It is fall so i will need to pack warmer clothing and my semi dry gear. Rule of thumb is water + Air temperature must reach a minimum of 120 degrees or falling into the water could be deadly without the protective dry gear.

I am also looking forward to using my Torqeedo as this is a special place with a 4-5 knot tide at fall new moon. Its going to be ripping and windy. challenge accepted! I will be targeting Striped Bass Blue Fish Speckled Trout and Tautog.

The Jamboree is held in Cape May NJ which is a two hour drive from my home. It is ground zero for some of the best Tautog fishing on the East Coast.

A nice drive south on the Garden State Parkway through the Pine Barens. Looking forward to meeting up with a lot of familiar faces and meeting new anglers! Im also looking forward to doing a little celebrating as today is my birthday!!

Hope to see you all there at the captains meeting tonight!

If not I will be on campsite 729.
For more information see http://jckf-forum.forumotion.net/

How To: Upgrade Steering on the Big Rig

This particular install replaces the Jackson Factory installed Smart Track foot brace steering system. This article explains how to upgrade the steering on the Big Rig utilizing the Sea-lect Designs Toe Pilot foot braces. Using The Toe Pilot system you will simply angle the pedals like you would press a gas or brake pedal on a car to steer the rudder or electric motor. This eliminates the entire track sliding and one knee bent and one straight. Your entire day of fishing will be much more comfortable after this upgrade!

Illustrated in the video this upgrade is a semi advanced install but not an extremely difficult one. This upgrade will also work with the big rig stock Tru-Course rudder. This install conforms to the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 motor steering.

If your big rig does not have a steering kit factory installed Sea-lect Designs does manufacture a full Thru Hull Tru Course Rudder Kit which includes the toe pilot foot braces. The additional part if the install will be running the rudder cable tubing through the kayak.

Video of the install!

This article is the install breakdown and How To.

Tools Needed for full install:

• 3/8″ socket
• 1/4″ Ratchet
• 3/8″ Open end box wrench
• Short Philips head screwdriver
• Hex Key Set
• Pry Tool
• Drill
• Drill Bits
• Diagonal Wire Cutters
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Heat Gun
• Razor Blade

Parts & Materials Needed:

• Sea-Lect Designs Toe Pilot Foot Braces K747205-1
• Sea-Lect Designs Cable Adjusters K747260-1
• 30 feet of stainless steel rudder cable
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• 8 Swedges or Cable Crimps
• Lexel or Marine Goop
• 2 9″ Lengths of 3/16″ Bungee Chord
• #10 x 24 1 1/4″ Long Philips head bolt (Hardware Store)
• #10 Washer (Hardware Store)

For Torqeedo Setup:

• 3/16″ Carabeners with eye

Install Instructions:

Removing Existing Smart track System Foot Braces Start with the front bolt. Using a 3/8″ socket with a 1/4″ drive and a Short Philips head screw drive remove the thru hull nut and bolt . Slide the foot brace forward to reveal the rear screw. Now remove the it with a Philips head screw driver. Slide off the back plate and now remove the cable from the foot brace using the 3/8″ socket. Cut the terminal connector from the end of the cable and remove the cable from the stern leaving the tubing in place.

Now you will need to remove the rivet that holds the cable tubing in place as it is int he area of where the new track will be installed. Using a drill bit drill out the center of the rivet until the flange falls off. The back portion of the rivet will fall inside the hull. Patch this hole using a plastic weld or Lexel caulk adhesive.Now using the #10 X 24 – 1 1/4″ bolt and #10 washer dab a drop of thread lock then fasten the left track to the right side of the kayak to the threaded insert. This will allow you to align the track and drill the new front hole. Once the hole is drilled using the #10 x 24 – 1″ bolt washer and nut fasten securely to the kayak.  The tracks have to be installed upside down in order to reuse the threaded insert. If you would like to mount the tracks the intended way you will need a rigging bullet as it is impossible to reach the rear area of the track to fasten with a thru bolt.

Now once the track is installed repeat the same steps on  the opposite side.

To run the cable.

Run the cable through the cable adjuster first then under the pedal is a hole run through the hole front to back then wrap it around in the groove then through the metal adjuster pulley at the top and then back to the rudder cable tubing which you will then run the cable through to the stern of the kayak. The cable wraps around the toe pilot like an ‘S’ pattern shape.

Once at the stern you will now connect the cable to your factory installed Tru-Course Rudder or in this cast to the Torqeedo steering bracket. Make sure the rudder or motor is centered at the same time the Toe Pilot pedal should be at 90 degrees to the kayak deck. This is to be center for both sides.

Now terminate the end at the cable adjuster by looping the cable through (2) swedges and crimping. Remove the tag end of cable using the diagonal wire cutters. Slide heat shrink tubing over and heat to protect the cut end and the swedges.

Refer to the image above for completed install.

Disclaimer:

Installing hardware may cause damage and/or void manufacturer warranties.  ThePlasticHull.net its authors or any other source of information on this website is in no way responsible for your actions nor any type issues or damage that may occur.  The information provided on this website is a free reference guide only. The authors of all information, sponsors and the owners of the website that host this information are not liable for any problems or issues that arise from the use of this information. Users of this information hereby acknowledge that all use of this information is done by their own free will, at their own sole risk, understanding that destruction of property, injury, or death could occur.