I have rigged a new seat, holder for fish finder transducer and monitor, tackle box and water proof box mount that can be quickly removed.

Will send pix with details later…too busy right now. Plan a river run shortly.

The W is just great….very stable and Hydro-dynamic in wind, and when paddling.

Ps. water temp is about 70 degrees. I think all the fires to our west are heating things up. Actually, they are quite devastating, many people have lost their homes and belongings. Still very dry and dangerous.

Hope you guys are thawing out!!!

Ray

See more kayak rigging innovations from Ray >>



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 >>

See more kayak rigging innovations from Ray >>

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

When Darrell had first contacted us, he explained that he was a big guy suffering from lower back pain, and had some balance issues. He’d sold his large size aluminum canoe years ago because he no longer felt comfortable in it, and he’s been researching kayaks and canoes.
Darrell realized he wouldn’t be able to endure sitting in SOT or SIK kayaks, and since he can ride an ATV with a decent amount of comfort he chose to order a W500 Gr, which he got recently.

Darrell Has already designed a unique plexiglas dash that takes the W kayak one step closer to offering the amenities found in a modern, good size motorized fishing boat.
Says Darrell:
-”I think the boat and I need a little more time in the water to be fair with a full review.
I am enjoying my W500 and I am more comfortable each trip. I am going to try standing as soon as the water warms up some. I have caught a few fish out of it, I have mounted a plexiglas dash in it that holds two tackle boxes and my front mounted rod holders. I also added a clip in kayak seat back that works great. I put together a cart using two large trash can wheels.
I tried it in some current last week which did not work as well as I had hoped but I think I will learn to handle it much better with time. Next week I am going to take it to a place with a little less current and more room to maneuver. All in all it is working out great with no problems from the equipment.”

And this is Darrell presenting the results:

New Fishing Trip Report From Darrell >>

Gary has already contributed great reviews, stories and pictures to our website and to this blog, and today he sent us some more pictures of his W500 kayak fully rigged for fishing:

Gary’s unique and ingenious way of mounting a compass between the hulls of his W kayak:

And this is already a classic: A doormat attached underneath the hull tips, enabling Gary to drag his fishing kayak on asphalt and concrete pavement for long distances. When Gary reaches the water he simply folds the mat inside one of the hull tips.

Gary’s tackle box:

Wayne Taylor, from Florida, outfitted his unique W-kayak with two surfaces – one on each side of the cockpit. He bolted them to the hulls, and added Nylon eyelets as attachment points.

The front panel serves among other things to support a fish finder display box:

The rear panel hosts Wayne’s watertight tackle box: