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| | | Supreme Being
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 9:13 PM
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| Cutting holes in a piece of plastic you rely on staying afloat can be unnerving for some. As long as you take your time and think about the cuts you're making, rigging your ride is only limited to your own imagination.
I have drilled many holes in many boats but this project was more extensive than adding a couple of rod holders or a rudder kit. The fact that it was my own boat made it a little more difficult. I didn't wanna butcher my baby!
I started out with the smaller holes first and mounted the stern light first. Having no access that far back, the use of a coat hanger came in handy to fish the wires to the access hatch behind the seat and then pass them along to the front hatch.
Feeling better about cutting holes in such a pretty piece of molded plastic but still not ready to bore the bigger holes to come, I went to work on mounting the fish finder. Utilizing the Scotty mount that was factory installed for a front rod holder, a Scotty fish finder mount was used with an Eagle Cuda 242. The mount was modified to accommodate having the wires come out from underneath. After grinding out a groove for the wires, a hole was drilled in the boat within the footprint of the mount. Some silicone was used to fill the gap to keep this a watertight installation.
It was time to move on to the switch panel. With multiple devices being used, I didn't want to hard wire them all to an "always on" type circuit because they would not all be used at once very often. A bead of silicone around the panel also keeps this watertight.
The real gut wrencher was adding the navigation lights. I didn't realize how big of hole was needed to mount these lights until they showed up on my doorstep. Cutting holes on the deck is no big deal but when you start making holes in the hull so close to the waterline, you invite a higher risk of water intrusion. It is a good idea to use too much sealant than not enough. It is easier to clean excess than trying to hunt down the leak and patch the holes after the fact.
The finished product was wired up and a test flip of the switches to make sure they worked. Only 3 of the 4 switches were used... for now. I may install some cockpit lights later.
The new rigging was unveiled at the B.A.C.K. Goomba Gathering. It floats!
~Mark~
CooKnFish Online |
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| | | Forum Member
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Last Login: 5/13/2008 8:50 AM
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:17 PM
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| Sweet ride you got there. That is by far the best dressed kayak I have ever seen.
Chasin' Tail Online |
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| | | Supreme Being
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 9:13 PM
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| Thanks guys. It's shaping into a show boat for sure. Functional & fashionable...
I know a spot near River Palms that I have been wanting to try at night ever since MM1. I'll be paddling over this year.
~Mark~
CooKnFish Online |
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| | | Supreme Being
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Last Login: 6/24/2008 12:25 PM
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| | is your kayak fiberglass or plastic ? the picks it looks like fiberglass. i really like the fish finder holder and lights really pro looking job and the switch looks like it would help save battery |
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 9:13 PM
Posts: 633, Visits: 1,245 |
| Hurricane Kayaks are made of a material called Trylon. It is a plastic, not glass but it has a shiny luster making it a better looking boat. Its a harder material than the rotomold plastic too. It holds up against oysters better.
~Mark~
CooKnFish Online |
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| | | Supreme Being
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Last Login: 6/24/2008 12:25 PM
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| | it is a good looking kayak much easier on the eyes than normal plastic kayaks. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/4/2008 8:29 PM
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| I know it's a little late but if you put tape down before you drill you're less likely to crack or chip the finish. Looks really good though.
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:17 PM
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| | Thanks for the info on the shark eye nav lights Cooknfish. I got mine the other day and they turned out pretty good, here's few shots. 
Chasin' Tail Online
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