First fish, a nice crappie. 3/12/11.  My water craft was ogled with much envy at Purtis Creek State Park.  One guy from Austin has been looking at WaveWalks for a while. He fishes from a kayak and was getting a little wave splash in the windy conditions.  I think you will have a sale soon.

I am sold out on this W .   Cannot wait to go out this weekend.  Ray

Mounting the fish finder :

I found  I could cut a 6 inch piece of 2 X 4, bevel the front edge. A 2 inch section of broom handle (or ¾ dowel) is attached to the underside of the 2X4 to rest in the seat groove for stability. The 2 X 4 is wedged between the seat and under the lip of the cockpit. A screw is run thru a hole in the cockpit lip in to the 2×4  to stabilize while the “boom handle” in the seat groove stabilizes the other end.  This mount is very stable and could be used for other mounts, plus it is removable. A 2×6 or 2×8 could be used for a bigger mounting surface.

The unit is powered by a small 12v battery bought at Academy Sports for $21.  I placed this in the Sterilite plastic box bought at Walmart. I bought a double slot cigarette lighter plug in   and attached to the battery. It is mounted on the lid of the plastic box. The  fish finder was wired with male cigarette lighter plug and a 1 Amp fuse. It can be plugged in one of the two slots.  The other slot is available for other accessories, such as a 12v trouble light, spotlight, fishing light etc.

The plastic box houses the battery and there is room for the transducer, lights, etc,  when in storage. The plastic box slides in to the hull and sits there smugly enough to be stable.  The transducer worked okay just laying on the floor, but I need find another way to improve this. May try the plumbers putty solution.

On the paddle issue, I find the solution someone else used.  By adding  a couple of J hooks on the inside of the cockpit, it is easy to loop the bungee to hold the paddle.  I keep a small collapsible paddle to do minor maneuvers.

I also went with the idea of install the noodles on the underside of the bench seat out the way. I find the W fairly stable and do not think I will use on the side..

The 2.2 anchor works great.  I have added a  plastic workshop clamp brush clamp on a 4 foot line to tie to standing brush/trees. No rust problems.

More recent fishing trip report from Ray >>

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Read Ray’s first impression review of his new fishing kayak >>

I got the yak slimed with two pikes. I was lucky I think because the lake is full of weeds. It was very difficult to keep the spinnerbait running through the salad.
I have learned a lot in this first exit and I am planning to do many thighs differently next time.
Thank god I did not drill holes in the kayak, there is no need. I am planning to mount the RAM holder on a wood deck that can be removed easily if I am not fishing. The wood deck/pad fit very nice between the tips of yak. I already have one for a fish finder in front.
I think carrying the kayak is a lot easier inside the van than on the roof. My van has bucket seats, very easy to remove them.
I cast spinner bait and grub from the standing and sitting positions. Actually I switched between the two positions when I needed.
I discovered that I need a drift chute and probably I will buy also a trolling motor for motorized trips.
I will mount on same wood deck with rod holders.
Paddling few km upstream is not fun at all.
This was my first fishing exit, 5 hours straight. It can be easy 8 hours if I have enough food and drinking water.
Yesterday was the first time in my life when a ranger stopped me, check the fish and license. No trouble here, I always pay my card for three years in advance.
Safe paddling folks,
Petru

This is the plumber’s putty I used for fixing the transducer in the hull. It cost $1.99

First I made a ring of putty in the bottom of the hull. The ring is big enough to put my transducer in.

Then I put the transducer in and added a little water for good contact with the hull.

I then covered the transducer with more putty and sealed it up.

The putty sealed really well with the kayak’s hull. There was no water leakage.
I got a good signal through the hull, and it was cheap and fast to do. I can also peel it off real fast with no residue left behind.

And this is how I improved comfort:

I picked up a yoga mat from my local Good Will store for $2.00.

I used double faced carpet tape on the bench.

I cut the mat to fit the bench seat and laid it down.

It made for a nice soft seat and it’s not slippery.

Here’s my “W” at the lake ready to go:

I live in one of those houses that are on the hillside in the background.

The “W” is a great boat to sneak up on wildlife.

This is a beautiful lake just to be on. (Willow Lake Prescott Arizona.)

Bob

-Just caught the second or third biggest bass I’ve ever caught (a little over 3 lbs). For me that’s a big bass! So maybe investing in a fishfinder was a good idea. Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera with me so no one’s going to believe me I also caught it on a beat-up, 1950′s lure called a “Flatfish” that I resurrected from an my old tackle box. The action of the lure is so outstanding that I’m trying to buy more of these obsolete lures.
Also enclosed a few photos showing my new reel style trolling motor crank and fishfinder, my crossed cable TM steering system and a detail shot of the flip-over wheel attachment cable connector (uses existing carry handle screw) and of course, the Flatfish.

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