Last year I reran all of my kayak steering cables on the Big Rig for the Torqeedo. Instead of swaging the cable termination at the foot brace I used a 3/16″ wire rope clamp. The original clamps made it through the season, but galvanized steel had rusted and corroded in no time.
The reason for this upgrade was to grant the ability of leaving the steering cables fully adjustable and removable for maintenance. A wire rope clamp is a U-bolt with a saddle and 2 nuts. A wire rope clamp is used for clamping down on 2 strands of wire rope to securely form a loop. They range in all different sizes. For this application a 3/16″ clamp is best. To assemble, insert the end of wire rope into clip saddle loop back around and set the end inside the saddle under the U-Bolt and tighten nuts until secure.
Previously using cable swages which permanently crimp to the cable and are only removed by cutting off. This made any sort of maintenance impossible without cutting the cable. Previously I was able to remove the swages using a Dremel tool precisely not to cut into the wire rope. This took time and was not ideal.
The new clamps pictured are stainless steel and should last much longer in the saltwater environment. The steel rope clamps are pretty inexpensive at around $1.50 to $2.00 apiece but can be purchased in bulk cheaper.
YakAttack LeverLoc install on Jackson Kayak Kraken (Permanent Install)
The Jackson Kayak Kraken being 15′-6″ long requires the use of pad eyes to guide the long anchor trolley. YakAttack has created a kit along with a locking feature so there is no need for clam cleats anymore. Low profile and a top of the line anchor trolley rigging solution.
The YakAttack Leverloc install on Jackson Kayak Kraken is pretty simple given the amount of access to the inside of the hull. In this article I will cover the YakAttack Leverlock HD kit & system. The kit includes additional backing plates to make the pulley anchor points more rigid.
In the kit you will find the following:
YakAttack LeverLoc HD Kit
Anchor Trolley Line
(4) Pad Hooks
(2) Harken Pulleys
LeverLoc and Housing
Trolley Ring
(3) backing plates with rigging bullet capability
Mounting Hardware
Tools Needed:
Drill
Screwdriver
Lighter
Center Punch
First check that the kit contains all parts you will need.
The included instructions are well written in a step by step fashion to guide you through the installation that best fits the application.
In this install we will be drilling only 2 holes at the pulley locations as with the Jackson Kayak Kraken there is ample inner hull access to these areas. On the (2) three hole backer blocks look for the word pulley. these are the 2 holes we will be fastening to.
The LeverLoc may be installed on either side of your kayak and is purely your discretion. Typically fishing with conventional rods and reels my preference is to install the anchor trolley on the left side of my kayak. Due to being right handed I tend to fish from the left side of the kayak. This allows me to control my fishing rod better and land my fish easier. Also being right handed the control of the line and LeverLoc is overall easier.
1. Pulley Install:
Choose a location 12″ back from the bow above the waterline. Using a center punch mark the first hole and drill. Now mount the pulley using the black 1″ 10-32 bolt in the first hole drilled. Tighten into the backing plate but do not tighten completely. Now level the pulley and mark the second hole location in the center of the pulley mouthing point. Pivot the pulley and backing pate out of the way and drill the second hole. Fasten the second bolt to the backing plate and tighten. Repeat the same steps for the rear pulley.
2. LeverLoc & Clamp Base Install:
Now for the lever lock. The Kraken does not have a way to access the inner area of the kayak for this location. Select the location within reach from your seat but not where your paddle sweep will allow your hand or the paddle to hit. The screws provided will thread into the plastic without worries of them working out or leaking.
3. Trolley Line:
Tie an overhand knot in the end of the paracord after running it through one side of the ring. Now run the paracord through the bottom of the bow pulley then the top of the stern. Make sure you run it from the stern up through the pulley then through the Clamp Base then down through the front pulley. Tie off the ends to the trolley ring. Make sure there is no slack in the line.
4. Pad hook Install:
For locations where the paracord line rides up the gunnel you will install the pad hooks. The top line will run through and the bottom will clip in the bottom hook. Evenly spacing 2 at the stern to the center and 2 from the bow to the center seems to be the best placement.
5. Tie off
Tie the tag end of the trolley line to the ring using half hitches. Cut the remaining end but leave about 3 inches for future adjustment.
Disclaimer:
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It was a different type of event this year for the 7th Annual Cape May Kayak Fishing Jamboree. 2016 marked the passing of a kayak fishing legend Jon Shein. In dedication to him to remember him and his influence on the what is now called the kayak fishing industry.
A new venue! The camp ground we previously occupied wasn’t really ideal anymore due to price increases and the distance between people staying there. The Kayak Fishing Store had agreed with event staff from Jersey Cape Kayak Fishing (JCKF) to host the event at the shop. Camping as we call it J-Bay style allows all of the attendees to hang out and share the along with stories, food, jokes, pranks, and the commodore that Kayak Angers share. J-Bay style also means the camp is right near a launch area which is walk able. Most anglers will rig their kayaks up for a full weekend of fishing. Some will keep their kayaks ready to hit the road to fish in other places.
The Cape May Kayak Fishing Jamboree is like a boondoggle. It is geared up to bring friends and family together for a last hurrah before the weather turns freezing and most do not fish. While raising money for great local charities
For me this year was the easiest commutes to Wildwood for a Jamboree as living in Delaware and working in Lewes its a ferry ride away. Although the ferry is about 1.25 hours its relaxing. On the way over I spotted Amy and her husband Gus and hung out with them for the ride over. Following that hit the Cape May Brewery for a sampler and a growler fill of a beer called Turtle Gut and a six pack of Devils Reach! Excellent!.
It was great having the venue being the Kayak fishing store. I arrived around the same time as many others. Scattered around were RV’s tents and car campers being set up on the grounds of an old boat grave yard which also houses the Kayak Fishing Store. There were kayak anglers from many walks of life and places. They came from as far north as Maine to as far south as Virginia. Captain Jim had arrived with the newly patched old moldy his pop up camper which we would call home for three nights. A bonfire was set and a Dutch Oven was placed into it. A 1/4 cooked roast was offered then there was a half stick bang to start off the festivity’s and fishing. The 7th Annual Cape May Kayak Fishing Jamboree was officially underway!
The next morning it was fishing time. Awaking prior to the sunrise the night temps must have went down to the low 30’s. As a few anglers were already out fishing with my camera in hand i awaited the fiery sunrise. The wind was stiff and cold.
As more people arrived we went out and fished the Herdon inlet Rock walls. The fishing was pretty good with our whole crew limiting out on Tautog. I had a beauty at 17.5″ Its not hard to limit out as each angler is regulated to keeping one fish over 15″ The tide starting moving again so we headed in to enjoy a fish fry along with some fresh steamed clams Dee raked from her home waters on Long Island. Fellow anglers stopped by our campsite and enjoyed some of our catch. Moving around camp there were some other excellent meals shared among the attendees present.
Saturday Morning meeting Charlie (Lunchbox) LaBar at the 2 mile launch we fished a bit in search of Stripers. While waiting for the tide to flow out hues of the sunrise glistened from the East. Marking fish was nonexistent along with no strikes on the line. Over the radio was one casualty a fellow angler went into the water trying to rescue a fishing rod. Fortunately he was ok. October presents cold air and water temperatures which for kayak anglers is a risk. The tide changed and we were sucked out the Cape May inlet. No paddling really necessary. Once at the tip of the southern jetty wall it was game on. Green crabs and sinkers at the ready drop a line. Around 15 total anglers made the trek to the ocean. Many tog were landed and it was a great time. A nice black drum was also landed had to be 25 lbs or so.
Just about the last ones out there we quit and headed back. Charlie was running his Torqeedo on 0% which amazed me because I have never ran mine past 20%. But he made it and kind of against the tide. IT was about 30 min before slack. Loading up and headed over to charlies summer home for a much needed shower.
Back at camp traded stories of the day. There was drones flying by taking the effect. Gary ward and Larry Newman were still fishing. I don’t think they even enjoyed a meal the entire time. They fished hard and wanted that calcutta more than anyone. The evening set in and it was time for dinner and prizes. The iconic seafood pasta and roast beef was served once again as a yearly feast. Three tables filled with prizes and a Pelican 120 kayak were up or grabs plus the Wolfpack beer raffle. This night the bonfire was amazing and photoed above. All kinds of strange graffiti appeared on a red ford. Ribs were grilling. The sole owner of everything ate everyone’s food and all was good.
Sunday morning was a pack up day for most. Best of all the calcuttas were awarded to Gary Ward and Larry Newman respectively as they got the bass and blues regions. I never got a final list of Calcutta awards but its a non tournament. All for fun and that’s they way it should be. If you have ever been to a boondoggle the jamboree is the same just the northern way.
Excellent job by Chris Parson The Kayak Fishing Store Prostaff team and JCKF!
Looking forward to october 2017 for the next one. Hope to see you all there.
Last year I reran all of my kayak steering cables on the Big Rig for the Torqeedo. Instead of swaging the cable termination at the 
foot brace I used a 3/16″ wire rope clamp. The original clamps made it through the season, but galvanized steel had rusted and corroded in no time.
