WAVEWALK FISHING KAYAKS BLOG » kayak outfitting

Extra Large Flotation Modules For W Kayak

W kayak — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:44:53 +0000

The standard detachable plastic foam floatation module offered by Wavewalk kayaks is 56″ long, and 2.5″ in diameter. Its volume is approximately 250 cubic inches, or roughly 1 gallon.
The extra large (XL) “jumbo” detachable plastic foam floatation module offered by Wavewalk kayaks is 58″ long, and 4″ in diameter. Its volume is approximately 700 cubic inches, or 3 gallons. This means that it’s nearly 3 times as effective as flotation compared to the standard flotation module.
In other words, the XL flotation module offers a net buoyancy that’s almost three times bigger that that offered by the standard floatation module, or roughly 25 lbs, while the standard floatation module offers just about 8 lbs of net buoyancy.

Extra large (XL) and standard size detachable flotation modules

In practical terms, this means that you can make a very dense object weighing 25 lbs such as a led weight stay close to the surface of the water and not sink to the bottom, if you attach it to an XL flotation module.
An object’s density is measured by its volume divided by its weight.
The density of water is 1.
If the object you want to save from drowning is less dense than led, it can be heavier than 25 lbs and still be recovered by being attached to an XL flotation module. The less dense the object, the heavier it can be, since more of its weight will be supported by its own volume.
Objects with a density of 1 or less don’t require flotation to stay afloat, since the density of water is 1, and therefore they are lighter than water.
Most kayaks are molded from Polyethylene resins. Polyethylene is slightly less dense than water, but a Polyethylene kayak could still sink to the bottom if its hull gets filled was water because of the weight of the accessories attached to it, such as rubber handles, rod holders that have metal parts in them, and rivets, let alone a motor…

How To Attach Extra Large Side Flotation Modules To The W502 Kayak?

If you’re driving a motorized W502, you’ll be going at a high speed, which would raise the kayak’s bow, and lower its stern. In such case, the rear pair of XL side flotation modules might occasionally come in contact with the water, and spray you… In order to avoid it, you’d need to attach the front end of the rear flotation modules higher than the rear ends of the front pair, as shown in this image:

How to attach the front end of the rear float higher than the rear end of the front float

Note: XL flotation modules are wider than standard ones, and attaching them on the sides of your W kayak would make it less easy to paddle. Therefore, we recommend using XL flotation modules only in cases where they are required.

More about detachable kayak flotation >>

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W Kayak Transom Motor Mount For 20″ Long Propeller Shaft

W kayak — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:24:15 +0000

W kayak transom motor mount

Model TMM 20 For motors featuring a 20″ long propeller shaft.

Kayak Compatibility: This W Kayak Transom Motor Mount fits W kayaks from the 500 and 502 series.

Motor Compatibility: The W Kayak Transom Motor Mount fits electric trolling motors, and outboard gas motors up to 2hp. We recommend outfitting the motor with a long, articulated tiller extension that enables the driver to steer from a position that’s closer to the middle of the cockpit, rather than from its rear. Important: This model of W Kayak Transom Motor Mount can take only a motor featuring a 20″ long shaft. A motor with a shaft shorter than 20″ would be useless for steering if mounted on it, since its propeller would turn in the space between the W kayak hulls, and not below them.

Material: The W Kayak Transom Motor Mount is crafted from 1″ thick Trex board.
Trex is an environmentally friendly, composite material made from recycled and reclaimed plastic, and reclaimed wood. No trees are cut down for the purpose of making Trex. This material is widely used as decking and railing material since it will not splinter, rot or deteriorate due to harsh weather or insects. Trex resists damage from moisture and sunlight, which makes it a better alternative to wood for this matter. Unlike wood, Trex requires no painting, coating or maintenance.

Dimensions: This W Kayak Transom Motor Mount is 4.25″ high and 22″ wide, and it weighs 6 lbs.

Attachment: This W Kayak Transom Motor Mount is easily attached to the W kayak by means of two bolts. We recommend attaching the W Kayak Transom Motor Mount as close as possible to the cockpit, in order to improve stability, access to the motor, control, and safety.

Attaching Instructions For This Motor Mount Model

Remove the bungee hooks from the cockpit rear
Place the W Kayak Transom Motor Mount on the deck, in the location where you’re going to attach it, preferably as seen in these images
Mark the position of the two holes, and remove the mount
Drill the two holes in the deck with a drill bit whose size is slightly bigger than the bolts’ 5/16 diameter.
Install the bungee hooks back in their place
Insert the bolts in the mount’s holes, put the mount in its place, and push the bolts down, into the hulls
Tighten the nuts with the metal part facing downward, to secure the mount in its place

The kayak’s plastic wall will get slightly squeezed between the mount’s horizontal plate and the nuts.

More about motorizing your W kayak >>

Fishing Kayak Outfitting Plans, By Chris Ott

W kayak — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:16:50 +0000

As usual, you were right in pointing out that there was some good kayaking left in the month of October.
I made two short outings. I promised I would put the W in the cellar when it was time to put the winter attachments on the tractor. Unfortunately this happened this past weekend in anticipation of 16 inches of October snow. So now I am in Winter Project mode where I plan (and dream) of my next W outing. It would be interesting to read what other W owners will be doing during any Winter “down time” (for those of us with this seasonal limitation). I suspect with the recent postings of how easy it is to motorize the W, that this will be on some folk’s lists. I plan to re-glue/replace the PVS piping on my W kayak cart (seen in one of the pictures). I did not use the correct adhesive and it is becoming loose. I also plan to modify the seat/cushion. I’ll either replace or put splints on it so I can position it on the saddle or go with another design. I may not use Kevin’s design because I am not ready for standing that high in the W yet. I also have to rethink how I fish now because of the additional range I have in the W. For starters, I will be researching the techniques Rox mentioned in her most excellent recent outing as well as taking a look at Jeff McGovern’s fishing poles. All in all the planning will be limited by the reality of two kids still in college!

Well, that’s it for now from snowy Central Massachusetts,

Chris

Fall in New England viewed from the W fishing kayak

Sam Wire & Sons Kayak Fishing And Camping In Northern California

W kayak — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:49:05 +0000

I’m finally getting around to sending you some pics of our latest expeditions. We’ve spent a couple weekends camping and fishing in the months of September and October. In Sept, we went to Lake Del Valle, just south of Livermore, CA. Great time, but no fish caught out of the kayak that weekend. In Oct, we took the kayak to Lake San Antonio. This lake is located northwest of Paso Robles. The next two pics show my two sons taking the kayak out fishing at sunrise into one of the coves at Lake San Antonio. The steam rising off the lake is due to the air temp being colder than the water temp that morning. Made for an interesting photo. The last photo is a pic of my temporary milk crate rigging. I say temporary as I haven’t built up the courage to drill holes in the boat for the Scotty rod holders I intend to use. The milk crate is wide enough to span the two hulls and I strap it down with bungees. While I don’t intend to keep this milk crate setup, I include it here for your other customers who may also want a beginner fishing setup while they are deciding what works best for them long term. I know it has helped me learn what I like and what I don’t.
I am loving this vessel and my sons are as well!

Cheers,
Sam Wire
San Jose, CA

Read about the first kayak fishing and paddling adventures of Sam and his 2 boys >>

Lake Del Valle, N. California

Lake San Antonio, N. California

Motor Mount For Kayak Electric Trolling Motor, By Gary Thorberg, Minnesota

W kayak — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:32:51 +0000

Gary Thorberg is Wavewalk Kayaks’ dealer in Minnesota.
Here is how Gary mounted an electric trolling motor on his W500 fishing kayak:

1. Clamp-on motor mount – Quick and easy. Gary chose to make this motor mount from Oak wood. The vertical part, to which the motor is attached, is hinged, in order to prevent accidents in case the motor bumps into an underwater obstacle.

2. Electric trolling motor mounted on the W500 kayak. The motor is mounted on one side of the kayak, and the battery is placed at the bottom of the opposite hull. This balances the kayak without reducing its stability.

3. Detail: Motor mount clamp: All metal components are inexpensive, off-the-shelf products found in any hardware store.

4. Electric trolling motor setup – General view: With this propeller shaft length, Gary can troll both seated and standing up. Since the W500 kayak is totally symmetrical frond and end, Gary can troll with the motor either in the front, or in the back.

More technical info >>

Read more about motorizing your fishing kayak >>