Pimpin' out my Marauder

So... when I brought my new Marauder home, had to have Carson help me check it for defects.  He gave his approval so I figured I'd start getting it rigged out.



Here it is... isn't it beautiful?  We'll start from front to back on the rigging.



Starting at the bow, I attached a small cam cleat for an anchor line so I can anchor facing into the current (which I tend to prefer).  I practiced getting the line into the cleat from different angles and with the cleat positioned in different places.  Where I placed it seems to be the easiest to get the line into.  I'm hoping it works as good on the water, because it's so nice and simple.



Moving along, I decided to mount my fishfinder up front, out of the cockpit and off to the right side.  I didn't want any obstructions in the cockpit since it's so nice and comfortable to strech your legs out in.  Also, I prefer my fishfinder off to the side so it doesn't get squished by big fish.  I used a Scotty round flushmount (which is sealed so you don't have seal it yourself) along with a scotty fishfinder mount that I adapted to fit my FF base.  Behind the mount is a wireseal from West Marine.  It's the type with the little iris that closes down on your wire as you tighten the nut.  Works great and I can push the wire and plug through the hull  if I want to remove the FF and seal the deck for a heavy surf landing.



As for my transducer, I mounted it off center.  You can't really tell by the photo, but the hull has a flat area on the bottom, then another tier of flat chines before the hull starts sweeping upward.  The chines on the side keep the transducer out of the way of anything I might want to stuff into that big hatch and won't be in standing water if some water gets inside the hull.  Adhered with Marine Goop of course.



I like the flushmount rodholders for transporting rods, but for trolling, a better angle could be achieved.  I got this idea from Ric... it's a scotty gimbal adapter which fits the gimbal slot at the bottm of the flush mount rod holder.  Combined with a Scotty Rodmaster II rod holder which will accept either a baitcasting or spinning rod.  This is a very maneuverable setup and allows the rod to be placed out to the side without the grip of your rod hitting your legs.  Very nice.



Next, I ordered the kayak without the two rodholders behind the seat.  I wanted to mount them myself because I found that my long monkey arms would knock into a rod when mounted with the factory installed flushmounts.  I wanted to change the angle of the flushmount to avoid this, which I did.  I can paddle with rods in each of these rodholders if I want and never bump my elbows on the rods. 



Next I installed the hard folding style paddle clips.  I used to use the soft rubber ones, which were very easy to get the rod into, but would not always hold the paddle securely in a moderate chop.  I like these clips... they hold the paddle very securely and are very low profile when folded down. 



And now for the stern... I mounted the same cam cleat on the stern for a rear anchor attachment.  Because it's in the rear, it takes a little more effort to get the anchor line through the cleat, but practicing in my garage it didn't seem too difficult.  We'll see how it goes on the open water... I think it'll be fine though. 

I also plan to put my fishfinder battery in my rear round hatch.  That will mean running a power cable down the length of the hull, but it just seems like a perfect place for a battery and will allow me to get away from tupperware containers and adding any more mounting accessories inside my hull.  That'll be my Monday project.

Oh... and don't forget the GWKC logos... I'm hoping those little fishies will give me some extra boost on the water as well.



I'm sure I'm not done... this was my first pass, but this will definitely put the crate to rest  and will be a much more organized means for carrying my gear.  Can't wait for the maiden voyage.

Erik

Nice job so far Erik!

I have a Marauder coming in the next few days and I've been giving thought to how to rig it.  I really like the cam cleats you've used for the anchor line.  I wonder whether  a small fairlead forward of the cleat would make it easier to engage the rope?

By the way, your little fishing buddy is a handsome boy.

Randy

Looks awesome!! Very well thought out. The only potential problem I see is with the rear cam cleat. It is very easy to lay the line in it when you have a flat angle with the line as you had in your garage,  but as you gain depth with your anchor line the angle increases and it becomes more difficult, especially where chop is involved. That was the reason for the "Y" design on the rear of my kayak. I found it was a lot easier to lay the line into the "Y" then hook it thru my cam cleat. I do know from experience that using the end of your paddle to help guide the anchor line can be helpful.
Definitely take it out just for practice and see what works best. I don't see a prob with the one on front as it is easy to scoot forward then lean to put the rope where you want it, just a lot harder to do on the rear.

The way I have it figured is that the taper of the bow or stern can act somewhat as a line guide or fairlead if you will.  By sliding the line down the edge of the kayak from the tip, it passes over the cam cleat and just a tug and it's cleated.  With the rear one, I practiced a number of angles and orientations and I don't think I'll have a problem unless possibly if there is heavy chop. 

If it doesn't work, I'll rig a line guide as Tote did that fits in the drain plug hole and move the cam cleat forward.  Maybe next saturday I'll get to put it to the test. 

Looks great Erik, I'm pretty jealous.
Do the scotty gimbals lock in the flush mounts?

those poor sturgeon don't stand a chance! 

great post!

Do the scotty gimbals lock in the flush mounts?

Yes... sort of.  The gimbal extension has slots that fit very tightly on the gimbal mount that is in the bottom of the rod holders.  You have to pound it down with your hand to get it seated and pull pretty hard to get it back off again.  It can still wiggle a little bit but I'm confident that it won't come out of there when trolling or hooking up a fish.

Nice work Eric!

Keep us posted on how those cam cleats work out. I also saw that gimble mount Rick was using and put that on my shopping list. 

Erik:

Looks terrific...hoping to start on mine tomorrow.  Mklein picked his up today....his CAR is the BOMB!!!

Sweet pimpin' new ride... Erik.  I like it!!!!
So when are you planning to go out and christen it with a little dino funk?

......and YOU make fun of MY ugly feet  How dare you 

Thanks Chuck... I'm getting over kind of a nasty cold, but if I feel better by Saturday, I'm going to be tempted to take it out.  The tide is in the afternoon and it might be a good day to launch at China Camp during high tide and ride the afternoon tide back home since it doesn't go minus until after dark.  

I'll post a Hookup later this week if I feel like I'm going to get out.  Otherwise it'll be the 7th.

EK

Erik:

Looks terrific...hoping to start on mine tomorrow.  Mklein picked his up today....his CAR is the BOMB!!!

Big props to Sean@GWKC for doing my dirty work. I'm real glad I didn't do it myself as he radically improved sonar mounting design for my Prowler 13. I'm sure I would've f@cked something up too...

Here is a picture of my new Marauder XF up in Clearlake...and of course the car.

Still need padeyes on floor of tankwell to mount <possible> milk crate, mounts for running light and p/s lights, baitwell and sonar. Need to order new base and transducer from Hummingbird so I can swap my head unit.

Sean mod' my Marauder to add paddle clips, padeyes for thigh straps and these new d-rings for tool lashing. Check the prowler mods he did on another thread.

mklein - nice Hemi you got there...IMO:  a perfect kayak transport vehicle....lot's of power and you don't have to reach very high to get your kayak in and out of the roof 

Must be nice to live on the lake front

I just wish I were in shape enough to hoist it up there all by my lonesome. Notice how close the mopar roof rails are to each other...this sucks royal. It forces me to add a 3rd mount point over liftgate...and of course liftgate won't open with kayak on top...doh!!! Dodge designers weren't thinking.

I would be willing to host a group of 9? or so people this summer? for nighttime catfish excursions or whatever else is hopping after spring time. I don't think my wife would want to be up that weekend though...