spider's T160

[H2Ospider]

 A friend had asked me if I knew anyone interested in a T160 he had never put in the water. I asked him about the boat and it sounded like a mango 160i. I told him I would post it here for $500 and it wouldnt take long. The classified was "virgin t160i" and got immediate attention. Everyone was stoked, done deal. 
Turns out I was wrong. It wasnt a T160i but a T160dh, and the buyer wasnt interested anymore.
I wrote the other interested party ,that was waiting to see if the original deal fell through, and explained the situation. Seemed like the right thing to do.  He wasnt interested in this legendary vessel either.
After selling the 4.4,  I needed a rocket to chase boils at mendo and I needed a bombproof longranger to help accomplish some goals for 08.
I explained to my friend that the boat was special and gave him $600.
I may have offered more, to sleep better at night, but Im not a big fan of the mango color.
The whole thing gets better when I show up to find that the boat isnt mango.
He couldnt get over how stoked I was over this piece of plastic that still had the tags on it.
I hadnt had it 24 hours before I attempted dominance over the new recruit on a small wave.
I got my ego handed to me and the realization that the boat isnt ready, yet.

here is my winter project naked.  ill post pictures as it evolves.
.

[Danglin]

I guess that is snow?

 Nice Ride....

[ganoderma]

If it didn't come with a seat back, the one on the T160i has padding. If it will fit the T160, you'll like it better.

[Freddie]

That's a nice, clean ride. Very fast too. I think I'd prefer the one with a tank well though... but, that's just me. You'll be a rocket out there for sure.

Freddie

[Mooch]

THAT, my friend, is a thing of beauty Double hatches are hard to come by - you lucky dog!!!!

[Zee]

Sweet lookin ride spidey! Look forward to the pimping pics... and of course the LMB hoisted above it.

Z

[H2Ospider]

 I do feel very lucky that the universe lined this one up for me. I had planned on putting the money from the Malibu4.4 towards a W.S. kaos but this was a opportunity that I couldnt let get away.

I do have the original seat back but im not sure ill be using it. Im still researching options but it will definately be a combo involving a Hot Seat and possibly a back band.
I wont be using a rudder system. Instead ill go with a 240 shaft paddle and strength/technique.
Im going to focus on keeping this boat light, fast, and functional. Standardized flushmounts only and the DHs will force me down the path of simplicity.
Im planning on using alot of pool noodle tech inside the hull to hold rods and gear in place for the maytag sessions.
Just waiting on deliveries now. very exciting.

Danglin, the white stuff is left over from the naked foam party I had the night before. My neighbors love me!

j/k  weve been getting dusted here every few days but nothing is sticking. Its got the bass hunkerd deep.

[ganoderma]

I do feel very lucky that the universe lined this one up for me. I had planned on putting the money from the Malibu4.4 towards a W.S. kaos but this was a opportunity that I couldnt let get away.

I do have the original seat back but im not sure ill be using it. Im still researching options but it will definately be a combo involving a Hot Seat and possibly a back band.
I wont be using a rudder system. Instead ill go with a 260 shaft paddle and strength/technique.
Im going to focus on keeping this boat light, fast, and functional. Standardized flushmounts only and the DHs will force me down the path of simplicity.
Im planning on using alot of pool noodle tech inside the hull to hold rods and gear in place for the maytag sessions.
Just waiting on deliveries now. very exciting.

Danglin, the white stuff is left over from the naked foam party I had the night before. My neighbors love me!

j/k  weve been getting dusted here every few days but nothing is sticking. Its got the bass hunkerd deep.

I would get a rudder, unless you just hate them. The T160 turns about as fast as the Queen Mary, no matter how good a paddler you are. Not as bad as a keeled kayak, but the length and shape aren't conducive to turning.  It's fast as hell in a straight line, though.

[Bungle]

Sweet, Spidey.  Orange Crush.

[ChuckE]

Beautiful.  Love that orange crush color.  Love Bungle's unique green/blue fade too!

[Big J]

Wow! That is one sweet ride!  Wilderness Systems kayaks also transport a ton of stuff in the hatches (and on the deck) so they make boat-in camping a breeze. You really scored!

Janice aka "Big J"

[Tote]

Rudder schmudder. MAYBE two times would have been nice to have one but I got by just fine w/o.

[ganoderma]

Rudder schmudder. MAYBE two times would have been nice to have one but I got by just fine w/o.

For normal conditions, I agree. When it's really rough and you need to turn into a breaking wave at the last second, a rudder (or schmudder) can save the day on a long boat like the T160.

[H2Ospider]

Thanks for the input.
 I was fortunate enough to test 160s a few times and it IS challenging to get it around in a hurry. I am aware of the advantages and pleasures of a rudder with the longboat, but the added weight and moving parts just dont go with the particular style or yak philosophy im interested in. With that loss of agility in mind ill have to be that much more aware in the situations I paddle into. The long paddle with a big blade will hopefully help me reach out further for the big grab on turns. Im attaching deck loops for leg straps too.
 By having nothing on the boat or exposed in the tankwell, during surf entry and exit, you take out the possibility of something being torn off, lost, or damaged from a mishap. The ability to secure everything in the hull is what really attracted me to this boat, that and the speed to get to mulitple haunts on a short day trip.

Bungles T160 is probably my favorite kayak color style of all time and his even has the old classic logo with a picture of a tarpon. I have a picture of one like it in my stash of kayak porn.

[ganoderma]

Those T160's are purty, that's for sure. I like those strap-down hatch covers much better than the tupperware lids on the T160i. The thigh straps should help you lean into turns, too, which will help if you don't have a rudder. I sometimes use them when it gets rough, because it freaks me out when I almost get knocked off the yak by a wave.