Malibu X-Wing Console

I have been planning my deck layout.  I hate the idea of drilling holes in a perfectly good deck. Especially if I swap fish finders in the future or if an item craps out and I need to replace it with a new one that doesn't fit the hole properly. It used to happen to me on boats all the time.

So the concept behind the X-wing is something I like. I could mount hardware on this thing and only drill one hole for a water tight cable run to  the inside of the kayak. If I didn’t need it for the day I could remove it.

One guy on youtube had a traler type plug that handled all of his wiring and another guy had his transduce mounted on a custom cb antenna mount to raise and lower his transducer. You can keep the battery right inside the console. 

At the same time it looks like something that might get in the way, especially if I wanted to access the fwd hatch.

Anyone have one of these? Is there a better option? 

Short description:
http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/2/xwing.htm




Transducer:



Battery:

Vid:

yes it will get the way AND when you eat it on a beach landing/launch I can see it exploding all over the place. Also, I am guessing re-entry while OTW will be a real bitch. Honestly, I just looks excessive IMHO You are really only talking about one small hole for the FF power/transducer cable. Which unless you have a really odd FF should be able to be re-used for your new FF when you get it.

My 2cents?

For any saltwater kayak fishing that thing is only an expensive and potentially dangerous gimmick.

It may have a place on a freshwater boat, maybe..........

Ah, EWB beat me to it!

I can't wait to see somebody roll one in the surf! Can only hope my camera is turned on & pointed in the right direction! KAPOW goes the Xwing.

IMO: Waaaaay too much clutter on the deck   The more junk on your yak, the harder it would be to self rescue. (tip your yak over with all that stuff on board and see how "easy" it would be to right the yak)

KEEP YOUR RIG SIMPLE - less is better and safer.


just my 2 cents..

I can't wait to see somebody roll one in the surf! Can only hope my camera is turned on & pointed in the right direction! KAPOW goes the Xwing.

I was gonna say the same thing. hahaha!

Less is more.

Why don't you tell me what you really think about it!

Seriously, thanks for the input. I had a feeling.

Anyway it looks like a RAM Mount near the cup holder may be my best bet.

Why don't you tell me what you really think about it!

Seriously, thanks for the input. I had a feeling.

Anyway it looks like a RAM Mount near the cup holder may be my best bet.

I don't think there is a shy person on this board. We really want you to get it so we can 'watch'  Sounds like you are getting close to adding water!

The thing is definitely excessive and could be a hazard, but it's a cool idea and I could see running with one for the sake of lining up all my accessories.  I don't think I'd munch this unit in the surf - I'd break mine off in the back of the truck!   

  Classic, you guys but the beer and the console and I will go pearl diving with it.  

I know someone who has it and likes it.  It did roll in the surf and survived for the most part.  The x factor is such a wide stable boat, maybe not as big an issue.  Also by getting all the clutter at one foward point, maybe it is not so unsafe.  Ya call me Mr devils advocate

 

The x factor is such a wide stable boat, maybe not as big an issue.

Very true, I paddled one for an entire day and found it too comfortable  But even the most stable kayak can get hit by a rogue wave and flip over....and with all the excessive gear on board, I'm almost sure it's would be hard to right the yak in order perform self rescue.

I'd like to demo one (self rescue scenerio with the on board console) and see for myself...I could be wrong.

How about a RhynoBar?

How about a RhynoBar?

I think they're going the way of the dinosaur but some still do exist.  I also feel like they are more popular down south but pretty sure I've seen one or two up here.  Especially recently, kayaks are being designed so that accessories can be mounted straight to the yak.  In the early days there weren't as many flat places to place some something and things like rhynobars were much more popular.

I realize you want to limit the number of holes you place on your kayak, but when it comes right down to it, a) there won't be as many as you think, and b) there are very good products to use that seal holes.

Michael