Auto Oh' Shit handles for Prowler 16

Says it all above.

I asked about any replacement alternatives to the fiber handles on the side of my kayak in Kayak Rigging the other day. "Oysterboy" suggested I look at Grab handles from an auto source. I was driving to town in my Nissan Xterrra, looked up, and Vilola = there they were. Went to the local auto salvage, asked for a duplicate pair of Xterra grab handles and got some. Results follow.

2000 Nissan Xterra Grab handles.


After removing the rivets and the old handles, made some spacers (out of plexiglass) and siliconed them to the hull to make the detents flush to the hull.


There is only a single hole in the Oh' Shit handles, so one rivet hole per side got siliconed closed. I used 1/4 - 20 through bolts and reinforced the inner hull with an ABS backing plate and steel washers when attaching the handles to the hull with nuts.


Will try this weekend

I Zod Out

Gotta love a good ole junkyard solution like this.  Nice work.

Yeah, I like it. Nice, "lived-in" looking yak, too!

Look good!

Smart and cheap. What's not to like? 

Do you have one of those mechanics magnet trays in there as well?

Thanks guys for the kudos!

Do you have one of those mechanics magnet trays in there as well?

Yeah, I velcroed the mag tray to the floor and I toss hooks, lures etc in there when I'm fishing to keep the deck somewhat ship shape and the stuff within easy reach.

I Zod Out

For future reference:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7919.msg70221#msg70221

Thats pretty creative!

Did you used a washer and nut to secure them or just screwed them in?

Sweet idea if I brake a Handel I'll be using this idea good job!!!

Did you used a washer and nut to secure them or just screwed them in?

Not only washers and nuts, but also a 1/4 inch plexiglass backing plate mounted within the hull. I would never trust threaded through screws.

I Zod Out

For future reference:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7919.msg70221#msg70221

Awesome. This is nearly identical to the factory handles in my old Canadian-built Necky.