Made the Leap to Stealth

The short version: I now have a Stealth Elite 530 Hybrid

The long version:

I have always longed for a Stealth kayak after watching Ariel zip around years ago at Berryessa. I was staring at it when it was on shore, and he said I could take it out for a spin, but I declined since I had only been kayaking for a few months. Recently I have gone on a few trips with Michael (Tsuri), and his Stealth looked super cool on my car, and I was impressed on how he got around so quickly whether in the ocean, or lakes. The Revo 13 has been the other kayak I have been considering but I really like paddling, and kayak weight is an issue for me.

I had always thought that I was limited to one kayak due to storage issues, and I didn’t want to store a kayak at some other place. A couple of months ago I was looking at my Harken Hoister and realized that I could widen it to have two kayaks side by side. So, I sent an email to Ruben saying that I knew if I ordered a kayak it would take forever, and then a little longer but could he give me an estimate for delivery? He responded that it would be 6-9 months, however he was getting a shipment soon, and would have a few models available.

I let him know that I was mainly interested in the Pro Fisha 475, but also interested in the Elite 530. He said he did have a full Carbon 475, and an Elite 530 Hybrid. I asked if he could send pictures of the 475. He sent the pictures, and it was a stunning looking kayak carbon with a yellow top. I watched many of Rod’s (RoKKiT KiT) videos of him fishing with a carbon 475, so a carbon 475 has been at the top of my list of wants.

So next I mentioned to my wife that I was getting a kayak specifically for ocean use, and she didn’t flinch. The Elite uses a combination of fiberglass, carbon, and lightweight gelcoat. Ruben recommended the Elite because it is a little lighter than the 475 even though it is a bit longer at 17.31 feet. So, I placed an order and had the new Elite in the garage a little over two weeks ago.

I decided to go with another Raymarine Element since I really like the one, I have been using in my Eddyline. It was submerged for about 10 minutes when the sea lion flipped me at Shelter Cove, and didn’t miss a beat. The newer Stealths have a recess, and conduit for the transducer but the cable exits on top of the transducer, so it needed to be spaced down to make room for it. Others have used construction adhesive to glue in their transducers, but these kayaks will last far longer than the chart plotter. I decided to just run a half inch bead of silicone caulk around the sides of the transducer. That way if it dies, or technology takes big jump I can get it out pretty easily. The transducer ends up sticking below the bottom of the hull, so I need to cut out it’s shape in the recess cover.

One of the issues with transducers is that they come with enough cable for most boats. This means that I end up with 16’ of cable I don’t need. I thought about fishing it from the fish hold into the back hull, and then back into the hatch but for now decided to leave it coiled in the hatch. I drilled holes in the hatch cover to run the cables through to the head unit and will secure the head unit with bungees like Rod does with his. Other than that, I added some keel guard front, and rear. Can’t wait to get it out on the water.

 So, my Eddyline will be used for lakes, and crab, leaving the Stealth for primarily ocean use. I may take it to one of the local lakes to try it out, and maybe do some self-rescue. I can easily get back on the Eddyline, and I don’t expect the Stealth to be any more difficult. Maybe I can put my surf zone classes to use now with a more suitable kayak.

Securing the transducer for caulking

Caulked transducer

Cut recess cover

Recess cover attached

Battery, transducer cable

Chart plotter

Chart plotter cable attachment

Both kayaks on Hoister

Congrats on the new boat Mark. Nice job on the FF install. Looks professionally done. See you on the water soon.
Kevin

Congrats and beautiful setup 

Wow! I recently learned about the Elite 530 and I think I have fallen in love. Or maybe lust.

How much did the hybrid version weigh before add-ons?

Sick Stealth!

Fish finder install looks really nice and clean and I'm loving the black and white theme Mark. 

Sleek…..style……. speed…..it’s a thing of beauty 

Congrats on the new ride and nice work on the install. The stealth makes me  almost want to fish off kayaks again 

Wow! I recently learned about the Elite 530 and I think I have fallen in love. Or maybe lust.

How much did the hybrid version weigh before add-ons?

50lbs, and I'm hoping the transducer and wiring will be the only permanent add on at 2.2 lbs. My Eddyline started out at 50lbs but with all the stuff added; motor mount, motor wiring transducer, plus the stuff I leave in the hatches; bolt cutters, tow rope, safety ladder, first aid kit, and etc. it probably weighs 70lbs now.