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.

Night Fishing the Spring Striper Run

Cant complain when the really good fishing is only a 20 minute drive from your driveway. Especially when your used to a minimum of 45 minute drive to get to the fishing spot. It was a warm day leaving work in the evening. The plan was to meet Brian Pickard at the launch around 7 pm. Upon checking the traffic I changed the time to 7:30. The timing couldn’t be more perfect leaving my house at that point. The traffic had dwindled down and taking the expected 20 minutes. Brian was at the launch when I arrived. We rigged up and launched around 7:45 just as the sun had set. The moon was just about full and was becoming brighter with every minute.

Immediately 50 yards from the launch reading good marks on the Lowrance Elite 5 Chirp. Huge arcs meaning huge fish. The water had finally warmed up a bit which tends to make the fish more active. Brian and I begun trolling SP minnows. It wasn’t long before we had a few hits. Very short hits which became the trend. After fishing about 20 minutes Brian hooked up. I continued to troll while he went on a kayak sleigh ride. He landed the fish. It was a nice one at around 38″.

Still getting short hits on the SP minnow a few other kayak anglers are now on the water. Its Jon Shein Stu and Andrew. After talking to them for a little bit commence trolling the tide is getting lower and the bite seems to have slowed down. The wind had picked up and made it a bit chilly. Brian had another fish that he lost at the boat as did I loose a fish about 10 feet away from the kayak. Unfortunate as this would be my last day to get out for the week.

The Striped Bass will continue to migrate north to the Hudson River and hopefully we will get out there with the NYC skyline in the background for some more bass fishing in the next week.