spider's T160 next gen

welcome back btw.

+1  Absolutely!

It has been mentioned that you might make a return and glad to see it came to fruition.  You've been missed around these parts.  Now hopefully we'll get to see some of the famous crotch ... er ... look away shots!

I'm having a hart time visualizing the last photo.

Welcome back, my man! You missed out on the Steve Moyer Tourny!

Thanks for the warm welcome back guys.
Was bummed that I had to miss the Moyer event with you Mr Hopper, but its on the books for 2011 with a full truck o paddlers.

Dilbeck, that photo is of another slice of 6",in the same spot as the yellow rod keeper, except it was able to hold a reel in the center of the slice.
not a very good picture.
All other fishing gear and kayak attachments are now secured in dry bags in the Okuma bag for launch/landings.

Clean lookin boat! I wanna see more shots of the slide trax camera mount...been thinking about making one for my boat. Those slide trax are great--they can be adapted for a lot of different things, like a crabpot pulley or downrigger base. I like the poolnoodle doubleduty as rod holders too. I'll probably copy that if ya don't mind.
Thanks for the updated pics of your T160!


ps the Seahags are goin' down on Sunday!  

Please steal and expand on any ideas you think might work for you.
All of my boats have been a team effort and most concepts were picked up here anyway.
Ill snap off a few close ups of the new v-mount on the slidetrax.
Hopefully this mount will help prevent the crotch shot and help focus more on the fish and background and alot less of me.
I have a few other slide/mount projects in the works but who knows when theyll get done.

I have to confess that Im worried about the Seaducks on sunday, but Im comforted by the fact that Alex Smith is going to be there for us.
go hawks

Very nice!  I really like the set-up, very clean lines.  What speed were you getting out of the kayak?  I have been playing around with upgrading my prowler to a Tarpon 160 or Hobie Adventure for a little more range.  Not sure if the Hobie is worth the extra 1000 dollars though!  Great review!

Matt

I havnt measured its speed vs gps.
I have experienced the Hobie adventure and please let me warn you..
Do NOT demo that boat unless you are prepared to throw down the cash and take it home. So slippery sweet.
If youre asking which I think is faster?
that will depend on the paddler/paddle on the 160.
My perception of how fast the T160 was ruined this summer when I was spending time on a 19'6" long X 19" wide plastic ski.
zip bang!
now the T160 feels a little sluggish

Thanks Prodigal!  If only I had gotten your advice earlier.  I just unloaded a Hobie Adventure off my truck.  A christmas present from the wife  .  It is truely a fine boat.  Still love that Tarpon though.  I have always like the lines and look of the tarpons.  I have watched time after time the Tarpons pull away from me while on my P13.  The speed is impressive, but as you said subjective to what you are comparing it too.  I can't wait to see some fish slime on that boat!

Matt

Congrats on the Adventure! and the great lady!
You should have no regrets. That is a great chunk of plastic with a good support system in Hobie. Your post said you were interested in long range stuff and you may have the better machine for that.
I might be considered fast in a kayak and maybe even faster in the T160 vs. the Adventure/mirage drive. maybe.
BUT there is no way that I could continue to hold that kind of speed for any real distance. At the end of a short race Id be heaving while the Adventure rider could continue on pedaling and enjoy a day of fishing with enough left to make it back to the launch.
Bare with me.. the flip side is that while you are doing all that pedaling you arent paddling. Paddling skills just dont magically appear when we decide to pick up the paddle. For all of the mirage drives speed and hands free advantages, it cant brace, draw, pry, j, stern rudder, ect.    Sorry for the tangent.
Congrats again and dont forget to put blade to water every so often.
enjoy the glide.