Yak-zilla - My Prowler 13T Project

Damn, the screws on the rear hatch are off center.

That is the first mistake on this kayak, now I got to sell this a start all over!!!!  ha ha ha

If you notice in the first picture, the alignment holes are straight on center. For some reason, I put decide to change it; but i guess the kayak was leaning more to one side when I drilled the first 3 holes and screwed them in; by then it was too late....

Trying to justify re-drill and putting 6 additional holes vs living with that mistake.....

you will need your anchor right at the rear.

After reading more posts, I might also install Totes system as my means of anchoring....

I put my transducer in the scupper and its been there for 2 years with no problems at all.

The 'Thruhull' transducer is HUGH for this unit. For so reason, Garmin made the shaft 2"; it wouldn't fit through the scupper hole. I had no choice but to install inside; I would have rather had direct contact with the water....

You are doing an awesome job. Cant wait to se you OTW. Where do you live. Lets fish!

very nice  I'm thinking of selling a couple of sit ins to help pay for a Hobie.  Can you give me a rough estimate of how much you have into it.

Where do you live. Lets fish!

Live in the Hayward/Castro Valley area, but I am willing to explore. Stilll need to start purchasing/completing my Safety Gear, then get water apparel; but should be good to go by the middle/end of February.  Can't wait to get this thing on the water and see if it's gonna all work...

Want to go to the GS5, camp, party and fish; but need more info. Any NCKA/CSFC members going to GS5? Give me a shout; if you don't know me, i'm one of the Grill Crew Island boys!!!!

Can you give me a rough estimate of how much you have into it.

I learned a long time ago, not to keep track of hobbies; that way, if the wife asks "How much have you spent on that", I can honestly say I don't know... But not counting the GPS, I spent about $300-$400 so far accessories; and still going. But most who know me, know me as an "Exstreamist" (sp??). I go WAY overboard; to the extent of over-kill. But it just gives me something to do...

Let me know if you need help drilling holes... I LOVE to modify!!!!!

Maybe one day I can look at it. If you have time we can meet in the delta. I have a place on the water next to Emerald point Marina. You can fish from the dock or go sight seeing with the yaks. All my yaks are sit ins. So this is all new to me. looking forward to learning more about what you guys do on the water with the sit on tops.

El Guapo, why don't u rig your SIK for fishing? Rod holder, center mount, etc.   I haven't seen any here, but have seen a lot of pics from other yakfishing sites

Peace, y'all

I just bought fish finder and two ram pole holders at adventure sports for my wilderness. I just fell in love with that hobie. I got to have one.  I'll try and hold off until I see one in action.  Thanks

So this is all new to me. looking forward to learning more about what you guys do on the water with the sit on tops.

This is all new to me also; I have yet to pick up a paddle! Looks like we're from the same school of "anchovies". My boat is a collaboration of everyone elses ideas that I "thought" would work in my boat; but there are a couple of mods I wish I could take back... I will just have to live with them....

I too also like the Hobie; one of them is going to be my next boat.  For now, I will just keep tinkering with my P13.

Right now I trying to recover my remaining crab pots in the ocean, but hopefully after that I will have some time to go inland...

 I have yet to pick up a paddle!

I could have sworn I had dropped off a paddle for you to demo??? I'm busy this weekend, pig hunting, but maybe next weekend we can hook up, even for just a "paddle about" at Shadow Cliffs.

yeah yeah yeah,,, Bill "the Snapperhead" Johnson" was kinda enough to let me demo one of his paddles; but has yet to take me on the water..... ha ha ha....

Okay.... think I am coming down to the wire and done with the upgrades. Here's what I finally came up with as my livewell:

Since my primary bait will be 'chovies, I wanted a round tank to make it easier for them to swim in a circle; but I didn't want to use a standard 5 gallon bucket. So I opt'd for a little bit more heavy duty with a lid that was easily removable.

I used bungy cord to  keep the lid down when paddling; but wanted it completely removable/open to be able to drop bait or catch in it.

Added a intake port above the waterline to keep minimal water movement which they say causes stress on the bait and an exhaust port on the opposite side for drainage; I made it so the water line can be kept at varies levels depending on stability needs. And I made it so the water drain flows through on of the storage well scupper holes. (initially I wanted to run the livewell pump thru the other scupper hole, but it was to high above the waterline and I did not want to do extra plumbing using a primer bulb.)

Last thing I need to do is attach some anchoring points and I will be good to go!


Other than installing a radio (music), I believe I am just about done; unless anyone sees something I may have forgotten....


Thanks for all your advice and recommendations!!!

Glen,  you need to add a seat for the driver and maybe a wet bar.  That's way to much style to be driven without a chauffeur.  Incredible job!  I look forward to sharing the water with you and your yak.

I look forward to sharing the water with you and your yak.

Thank Martin! Can't wait for GS5 to get here; but still have 'first paddling' jitters. Need to get some time on the water to get a feel for the boat. Maybe I'll take it out on 'President's Day' weekend for it's maiden voyage...

Glen, You are close to Chabot or Shadow Cliff. I'm not sure exactly whats going on this weekend, but should be able to get out for a "quicky". Let me know.
Also your bait tank looks great! One thing you will want to do, if its not a big modification, is direct the inlet water to swirl. One way is to add a small piece of pvc, with holes drilled down its length, and put it over the inlet. This way the water will enter gently and evenly, it will also direct the water in one direction, forcing the chovies to swim in a circle. This is how the high dollar tanks are set up. BTW, awesome job with the outlet setup!!

...direct the water in one direction, forcing the chovies to swim in a circle.

After conducting a dry run on the bait tank, i discovered a few concerns with the install:
a.) the spray nozzle shot the stream of water directly at the exhaust port.
b.) the exhaust flow was insufficient to accommodate the intake flow.

So I made the following modifications:
a.) used Snapperheads concept to redirect water to the side and creating a "Whirlpool" affect.
b.) changed the exhaust port to 1 1/8 diameter to handle the intake flow at maximum capacity.

Here's a clip of the livewell:

very cool g wiz.. clean!! during self rescue, just grab the cleat when you pull yourself up and you'll be good... also watch out for that beach launch wave I just made a crap load of stickers for some of the guys..still passing em out..