The Jackson Kayak Big Rig due to its width a full length anchor trolley will ride up the side of the rod trough. This article explains the benefits and how to install a Split Anchor Trolley System on the Big Rig.

The definition of an anchor trolley is a loop of rope mounted to a kayak via two points which allows control of its anchoring point from the seated position. Essentially functions like a clothes line.

A split anchor trolley system is actually composed of two separate anchor trolleys. One located on the starboard side and the other located on the port side. One from the seated position to the bow and the other from the seated position to the stern.

The benefits of the split anchor trolley set up are the ability to anchor from two points at one time eliminating spinning of the kayak. Other benefits include a shorter loop is less invasive.

Things you will need:

• 4 Pulleys Stainless Steel
• 1/8″ bungee – Color of choice
• at least 30 feet of reflective 5/32″ poly rope or para chord
• 1 Pad Eye
• 2 SealectDesigns Deck Fitting – Double Loop
• 2 Nuts bolts and rubber washers.
• (2) 1 1/4″ Nylon Rings
• 2 Carabiner’s with eyes

DIY Install:

This install is currently set up for Stake Out Poles. For a bottom hook anchor system you will need additional cleats not mentioned int his article.

You will need to decide which side you would like the trolley to be on. Either left on the bow and right on the stern or right on the bow and left on the stern.

The front trolley will require drilling of a deck loop.I installed mine just under  the front of the rod tip protector. Previously using the screw in the front of the rod tip protector proved not to work correctly. The line rode up the side of the boat. Using the deck loop corrected the problem. To install that you will need to drill and using the 2 stainless bolts neoprene washers and nuts secure it to the boat.

To install the Sealect Designs Double Deck fitting simply remove the screw of the side handle at the center of the kayak (near the seating position). Slide the deck fitting and with a little Lok Tite refasten the screw. Do this for leash points as stated in the previous article!  This will allow you to clip the carabiner. The other side is for leashing rods and gear.

Using the shock cord about 12″ for each pulley tie a double overhand knot after running through he handle deck loops in all four positions. You want 6-10″ of looped shock cord as this will absorb the pull of the anchor.

Once the pulleys are tied in place one to the bow on the Deck Loop with the shock cord. Now run 2 lengths of the the poly rope through the pulleys you want the tag ends to be at the bottom. You will now tie using half hitches to each side of the nylon ring. I like to use the poly rope or para cord with the reflective band weaved in. It adds a length of visibility at night.

Once all ends are tied to the rings burn the ends so the rope does not unravel over time.  The system is now complete. Leave a tag end to adjust in the future as the rope weathers it may become slack. Simply retie. After fishing in salt water do rinse down the systems just to keep them moving through the pulleys and the rope will then last longer.

Tight lines!

Disclaimer:

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Jackson Kayak has really simplified the installation of fish finders for the end user first with the Big Rig and now with its new offshore kayak the Kraken! Like the Big Rig the Kraken is Raymarine Dragonfly ready. This means the Lowrance HDI skimmer also fits really nice in this scupper with the Lowrance Scupper Mount Kit! This article covers how to install a Lowrance skimmer transducer & Fish Finder on the Kraken in a scupper hole so the transducer is in the water.

Things you will need:

• Lowrance HDI Skimmer
• Lowrance Scupper Transducer Mount Kit
• (2) West Marine Wire Cap
• Drill with 1″ hole saw
• Philips head screw driver
• 2 waterproof butt connectors
• 3/8″ diameter x 4″ long heat shrink tubing

Install:

First unwrap the transducer cable from its packaging and twist tie. run the wire from the hull through the scupper up to the deck . Unboxing the scupper mount simply follow the diagram. With the HDI/Chirp skimmer you will simply slide the transducer on the track at the bottom of the transducer mount. It needs to be positioned forward on the mount so slide the track all the way up to where the wire goes inside the transducer. Now Slide the foam insert and then through the top bracket that will fit perfectly to the scupper. Using the wing nut thread it all the way down to the top bracket to snug it up. Once snug you may now clip the threaded plastic off flush with the bracket and clip the cap over.

Now to run the transducer wire to the inside of the kayak.  Using a 1″ diameter hole saw drill through the radius area of the hatch. BE careful as the plastic is ver thin here. Once the hole is made runt he cable through the wire cap and screw the wire cap in using the screw driver. The screws will self tap.

Next for wiring back to the fish finder unit and battery. This is really up to you where you would like the location to be. I tend to keep it out of the way of where fishing line cannot fowl with the wires and also so adjusting the location of the fish finder on the fly. Also take into consideration the factory installed battery box tray between the front day hatch and the center hatch (7). In my case the fish finder location is to be on the center hatch tracks and being fully adjustable to slide the entire length of the track. The decision to run the wired through the deck in front of the center hatch in my case was the conclusion. This location allows the wires to swing and not get int he way when operating the hatch. The next step will be fabricating a track mount console that will allow me to mount the fish finder to the center of the hatch.

To connect the battery using a plug connector first slide a 3-4″ x 3/8″ diameter heat shrink tubing over the bare wire side of the Lowrance power wire. Crimp the butt connectors to the wires with the  correct polarity and heat shrink the connectors. Then slide over the 3/8″ heat shrink tubing and shrink  the connectors in. I prefer to use clear heat shrink tubing due to all of the use int he salt water. Sometimes connections fail and have water seep in. This speeds up the trouble shooting as now the corrosion is detectable visually.

Complete!

The Jersey Paddler Classic Demo Paddle is a demo day where $8 gets you a paddle and a PFD and the ability to just about demo paddle everything one of the largest largest kayak shops in New Jersey has in inventory.  Along with company reps and on my side fishing guys representing the products to answer any type of questions you may have prior to purchasing a kayak. The demo was for a full Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM – 3 PM.

Saturday Morning was a cloudy day. Not much of traffic early but as the day went on the sun eventually filled the sky and it was busy for a good 2 hours. There was a lot of interest in the Jackson Kayaks I had brought my brand new 2015 Kraken for demo. Not even paddling the boat yet and that’s what its for! I also brought my personal Big Rig with the Torqeedo Motor for people to demo which may or may not have been the best idea. There was a ton of interest in the Torqeedo as well as the kayaks.

Jersey Paddler provided me with a Coosa and a Cuda 12 demo. It seemed like a slow day but I was told they had over 180 participants registered. In all it was a good day. I packed up everything and went home to take care of the dog.

Sunday was picture perfect weather and it showed. The crowds rolled in in droves! I saw a few people from the day before whom were still undecided. A family strolled up looking for a Big Tuna and thinking they had stocked me with all demos from the shop i told them i didn’t have one but would check on it. They tested out the Big Rig for a little while and while doing that my request for a Big Tuna and a Coosa HD appeared upon request! The family was totally happy after running them through the seating positions the were headed back to the shop the purchase one!

The day went on and the Big Rig was in the water just about the entire time. I feel the kids riding it paid their entry fee just to cruise. It was hard to retrieve the boat. I was sidetracked by questions and all kinds of them.  As i sit back here and type this article i find the amount of experience over the years has equipped me with the tools to help those who look to get into the sport. I’m glad to help and share the info I learned by trial and error.

Love doing these days even though it takes up fishing time. To everyone whom I met at the event tight lines!