Old fool starting yak project...

I'm new here, largely due to you all coming out to Point San Pablo Harbor -- where I live and work -- and getting me hooked on kayak fishing.  Long ago (in a universe far away) I built a stitch and glue/epoxy sit-inside sea kayak that came out well.  Got it on the water like 5 times.  Now I live literally on the water and we've got pretty good fishing grounds around, so here I go again!

This time, however, I'm older (much) and wiser, so no ground up builds.  I've ordered a Lifetime Tamarack Angler (don't yell, the logic will follow) to fit out and get going with.  I'm an inveterate DIY tinkerer, so this thing is going to get a trolling motor (I'm old) to supplement the paddling.  I may also add pontoons at some point.  I've got a CNC machine, so I'm planning on a nifty custom mount for the motor cut from some aluminum.  Or, I've thought about modding the kayak for a drop-in motor arrangement mid-ships.

What I really and truly want is a Hobie with the Mirage drive, but that's not in the budget just now so it will have to wait.  The Tamarack will get me on the water and give me some experience.  There are plenty of days when the water is pretty flat around here and so long as I watch the tides the Tamarack ought to keep me out of the drink.

Ideas, thoughts, suggestions all most welcome.  Once the boat gets here I'll shoot some video of the fit-out for anyone interested.

Thanks!

Go for it, keep your eye on safety and post up on your progress.  Sounds interesting.....

As long as you're cuttin' and fittin', it would be a good idea to stuff that hull with flotation, pool noodles are really versatile.

Get big lithium batteries... it’ll help with the weight. Or even one of those nifty lithium car jumper packs ...

Welcome to the madness