NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Stealth => Topic started by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 07:20:06 PM

Title: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 07:20:06 PM
Just finished rigging my stealth 495 kayak! Pimped my ride. Saw a lot of info online to get ideas and watched more more YouTube than I care to admit . Had some ideas of my own that would fit my style of fishing as well as function while on the water. Next task getting it done . Being a fiberglass kayak I needed help, so I contacted Dan at Headwaters kayak to get things started . They are the stealth dealer here in the United States.  Big thank you to Dan and Eddie and the rest of the Headwaters crew for a fine job setting me up right !  Big shout out to Craig aka  Ravensblack for the opportunity . Thank you!  Hope you didn't have seller's remorse.  I am gonna fish the hell out of this thing!  :metal  Here is what we came up with . May take a few posts for the pictures. First photo is the finished kayak and will break it down on storage and features.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 07:26:46 PM
Here are a few photos of the console area rigged with accessories and with out.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: chaeki on March 25, 2015, 07:28:44 PM
nixster, what is the weight on that?
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: cajun on March 25, 2015, 07:32:16 PM
your gonna love it! I ran the tracks on mine also.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: cajun on March 25, 2015, 07:33:57 PM
Welcome to the light!
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 07:36:23 PM
Installed yak attack tracks and mounts  to make things simple and easy to  change things as situations require. Some photos of inside the hatch. Added a gear track to mount things inside as well as place my sonar for surf launching and landing. I also added a Tackle Web bag for hanging storage that is velcro attached and removable . I also placed a battery tray under the seat with an access hatch to the thru hull transducer.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: novofish on March 25, 2015, 07:40:50 PM
sweet!!!!!
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: SuperVato on March 25, 2015, 07:49:09 PM
I love her.  :smt007
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 07:56:36 PM
Did some keel add on as well on the bow and stern of the kayak  for shore landings and incidental impacts.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: CptSloppywood on March 25, 2015, 07:59:15 PM
beauty!!!
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 08:14:04 PM
The kayak is 16 ft 4 in and weighs about 62 lbs I can pick it up to my shoulder with the way the straps are positioned. I took it to the Berryessa event and broke it in . It glides really well and it is fun to cruise at 5 mph on a paddle kayak .  :smt044  I hope this post helps future stealth owners on rigging ideas!  If anyone really wants a fast paddling fishing  kayak check these out ,especially if fishing areas with current and wind like I want to do in the west delta for big topwater stripers. Hope you all enjoy , any questions you can post or pm me . Fish hard! See you out on the water.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: jace_xiong on March 25, 2015, 08:53:02 PM
Awesome job! I've been making excuses to not go the gear trac route, but see all the things people are able to do with them is making it hard to resist..
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Plan B on March 25, 2015, 08:54:31 PM
That is a beautiful boat. Nice, well thought layout, too.
Congrats.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Rock Hopper on March 25, 2015, 09:11:38 PM
You bought Craig's Stealth?

I hate you.   :smt002
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 25, 2015, 09:15:59 PM
Forgot to show the seat area. Added pad eyes to the grips to accommodate any seat that you like . The kayak is really comfortable without one too but it is all personal preference. I also added mighty mounts behind the rear hatch to put rocket  launchers ,gopro mounts,flags etc. I will be also adding a suction cup go pro mount to the front of the kayak as it will stick real well for a no holes drilled attachment. 
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Adam415 on March 25, 2015, 10:24:28 PM
It looks difficult to access rear rod holders and Tankwell. Are you able to get back there when you are otw?
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 26, 2015, 08:15:29 AM
The rod holders are easy for me to reach. This is the biggest kayak of this line ,they make two smaller -shorter ones so can fit most people. The rear tank well is difficult to access due to the length and more suited for storing dry bags, jackets, gear for multi day trips . As for fishing stuff the main hatch in front holds everything as well as the rear hatch. It does not look like it has room but it is deceiving .The compartments run the length of the kayak . I can fit rods to 8ft comfortable as well as tackle ,wheels ,fish  real big ones too. Check out some you tube stuff on stealth kayaks.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: bluekayak on March 26, 2015, 12:26:10 PM
Nice

I like the way w track mounts you can still clean off the deck for launch and landing. I bought a Scotty flush mount to put a rod holder on the hatch lid but not sure height and position of rod would be right

Was thinking about running half a rod in it as downrigger so probably wouldn't be as critical. Never sure I want to do anything to the 575 and tend to modify w extreme reluctance

Where did you get the tackle bag?



Interesting the difference in specs w the 575 which is almost 20ft and 53lbs

Glass is the way to go, if I had had 2k sitting around I would've snapped that one up, don't need another kayak
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: tiny on March 26, 2015, 08:19:08 PM
Very nice work.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: ravensblack on March 26, 2015, 08:28:36 PM
Fuck. :smt003 :smt006  Looks nice Nick! Better than sitting on my rack in the garage.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: wizz on March 27, 2015, 10:07:18 PM
Looks good, dude. Curious about the tackle bag as well.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Paddleboy84 on March 27, 2015, 10:22:41 PM
This was a fun one for sure. Eddy said now that he has rigged that boat he feels comfortable drilling into pretty much anything. Thanks for trusting us to cut up your kayak. It came out bad ass. Now lets see some fish pics!
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: ravensblack on March 28, 2015, 02:48:11 AM
It did turn out great. I would have put the front seat straps a little higher. The thing I like the most about that Comfort Pro seat is the fact that at the correct angle the seat can hold your lower torso in tighter to the boat. Too wide and you don't  get that  locked in feeling.  I really like the keel guard!!! The green anodized tracks are way sweet.  We are discussing upgrades for the new Trident 15 and the catch bag in the hull is one I really like a lot. That was a great idea!!!
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: I Zod Out on March 28, 2015, 08:11:01 AM
I looked at this boat myself when it was listed here and the numerous UTube videos. I thought I had seen the light. But, Craig said that it would be a wet ride due to no scupper holes below the seat area. Comfort OTW was the reason I shyed away. I do Like the seat you chose for it.

You done good with the mods.  :smt007

best,  :smt006

I Zod Out
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: wizz on March 28, 2015, 10:22:50 AM
I looked at this boat myself when it was listed here and the numerous UTube videos. I thought I had seen the light. But, Craig said that it would be a wet ride due to no scupper holes below the seat area. Comfort OTW was the reason I shyed away. I do Like the seat you chose for it.

You done good with the mods.  :smt007

best,  :smt006

I Zod Out

Well, next time ask folks who have actually paddled a stealth.  :smt003
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: cajun on March 28, 2015, 11:52:47 AM
It's dryer than my AI was and with proper gear you don't notice the little water. There are also videos of people installing scupper in them.

I don't mind a little water and for the performance gain its worth it.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: cajun on March 28, 2015, 11:55:53 AM
Dan,

   I need to drop mine off for larger rod holders, starport mounts, and fish finder install.Also thinking about changing out the rear hatch with a Hobie twist lock.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Paddleboy84 on March 28, 2015, 01:59:35 PM
Dan,

   I need to drop mine off for larger rod holders, starport mounts, and fish finder install.Also thinking about changing out the rear hatch with a Hobie twist lock.

Well lets work it out so we can do this while you wait. I know you come from far away. The Hobie hatch is a worthy upgrade for sure. I have everything else in stock to do that instal. Cutting the inspection port is the hardest part, but we have got that process pretty dialed in.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: ravensblack on March 28, 2015, 07:15:25 PM
Dan. do you guys have a rotozip saw? Works killer.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: nixster on March 29, 2015, 10:18:03 PM
The tackle bag on the inside of the kayak is made by tackle web. They make many different sizes to fit your boat or kayak . I picked mine up from tackle warehouse, but most likely can find them elsewhere online as well .
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: wizz on March 30, 2015, 01:54:35 PM
I went searching for them and have a couple on the way. Look like a killer storage solution.
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Str8FishiN on March 30, 2015, 02:48:19 PM
Nice work Nixster!  She's beautiful! 
Title: Re: Rigged my stealth 495
Post by: Paddleboy84 on April 02, 2015, 10:53:12 AM
Dan. do you guys have a rotozip saw? Works killer.

Oh yea. Scary the first couple times, but after a while you become a artist with that thing.