New kayak in the house!

Hi all,

  My new outback is finally home!  Picked her up from the shipping co. in S.SF last night.  I got the outback fisherman, in sand (white)color.  
The cooler that came with it is a little different than I'm used to, its a bucket style that (as advertised) can hold 24 cans. it has pockets on either side, and a big screw off lid. (I guess you pack ice inside around the bucket.)  Looking forward to trying it out!.  Not sure when I'll get her out on some water, I'm limited on time here for the next 4 weeks or so.  Only real day could be Monday 13th.
  I'll be working on the ceiling hoist system when I get home today!
Future mods include sonar, maybe rod holder extentions, anchor trolly (for rear anchor hook up) Maybe solar battery charger for onboard battery for sonar.
 

Congrats... you'll love the Outback.  I have one in the same color too
It's an excellent fishing machine!

that is my kind of boat, a cooler big enough for a case of beer, i am anxious to fish next to you.

Congrats man, that rocks! I would be interested to hear when you get the solar up and working. That would make a great article  

Hi Bill,
  I have a few variously sized 12vdc gel cells laying around, and I was thinking of using the smaller one (aprox 3ah in size) to keep weight down, but not sure how long it would power a nice sonar unit, (eventually lights) or when camping a hand held spot light.  I've dabbled in solar power for a while.  I had 14 amps comming into four 6vdc golf cart batteries from a small photovoltaic array, that powered a 500W inverter which in turn powered my home stereo, TV and small florcent lamp.  (up for about 5yrs!)
  Looking at the deck on my outback, I was thinking that a small panel could be used to keep the small battery  charge up.  If/when I get around to doing it, I'll snap a few photos of it and do write up for you.
  I got to get her wet first!
Troy

that's a great idea Troy!  

It would be neat if you could mount the solar panels directly to the top of a big front hatch (on most kayaks).

Today was my outbacks (and mine for that matter) maiden voyage.  My buddy Dan (has an outback a well) mentioned he was going today, a few day s back, so i got her ready.  We launched at Loch Lomond.  The lake was busy at 11am when we arrived, and we ended up walking our yaks down from an upper parking lot.
  Getting the outback in the water was the easy part.  Fishing poles are out of the way, cooler stocked with water,and the all important PBJ, hatches are secure, things that had leashes were leashed, and the drive system was in and locked.  It was time to get in!
  Never having done this befor (climbing into something below the dock) I was a little apprehensive as the yak seemed real unstable.  I swung a leg in, followed with the other and  yikes it was unstable! I managed to not go over, but it was close!.
  Had the jitters for a few minutes after that.  So, now I'm floating, outbound fron the dock.  I gave the peddles some kicks and I was immediately moving.  But something was wrong, as I was moving the rudder handle but I was still heading straight for the dock!  I stopped pedling, then realized I forgot about the rudder!  Doh... it was still up.  Silly me. (too busy thinking about the drenching I almost had I guess)  a filck on the rudder release lever and it was down and I had control!
   Still getting used to the steadiness while sitting on it, I began to play with the rudder to get a feel for how it reacted, turning left then right, varying my peddle cadence etc.  I'm really pleased at how well my outback "takes off"  when peddled hard, I got moving faster than my aluminum boat could ever hope to go on it's electric trolling motor (a 52lbs thrust minn-kota)
    Was completly at ease just sitting back and peddlin at a relaxed pace,  easy on the legs, and in no time we made, was a little more comfprtable sitting on it.  Quickly learned that I could make the yak do a U turn by short quick peddles and full rudder. By leaning a little that helped in the turns as well, but I didn't practice that manuver.  The water is still a cold.
   Time to fish.  I had 3 rods with me, my bass rod, my 5' ugly stik for trout, and my 3'4" micro-lite for crappi/blue-gil.  Nada except for one little strike trolling a rooster-tail down by the dam.  
  We investigated a few of the coves, and had to use reverse a few times( the paddles) Around 4pm we called it a day.  Oh jeeze now I gota get out of this thing and not get wet!  Well I got up to teh dock, (on the outside of launch ramp) and at first I could not picture me getting out with out spilling over.  My balance didn't seem right.  Danny came over and explained I needed to keep weight on the opposite side.  Well, after that, it totally made sense, and I was able to haul me out without fear of spilling over!  I was out and still dry!
  Affixed teh wheels, then we headed back up that damn hill to the parking lot.  Thats where the real work-out came!  When my buddy sends me the pictures he took I'll get them posted here.
  Weather on the loch today was cloudy/overcast.  Wind came up at some point (no time refrence no clocks no cell coverage) but the outback handled the wind with ease.
   It was a good day on the water.  I'm glad I got the outback!
Got my ceiling hoist system to operate.  Although it s a little more work than I thought.  I used 2 single pullys each end.  Locking the yak up to the ceiling was definetly a chore to figure.  but I band-aided it to work.  More thought is needed here.  The single pullys are getting swapped out for doubles each end to help in the lifting.
  Overall I have big smiles for getting it.  I got on the water, stayed dry.  Just wished I could have landed a fish today!

I have an Outback and a Tarpon 160.  I like them both.  I get a leg workout and a upper body workout with the other.

Outback is really heavy and slow.  Best way to kick it is a slow to med. pace.  I have flipped in it a few times.   One time a Lextington.  It was my mistake. I turn to look behind me and a wave hit me from behind.  Lost two rods and any thing that was not tied down.  I was able to fish out one of the rods.  Outback has a round bottom, so it is stable but will roll if you don't take care.  Also, the hatches are a pain...way too small.

Outback is great from lake and trolling.  I have taken it out to Linda Mar and still may durning the troll bite this year.  But, on the ocean I would rather have my Tarpon.

Watch out for the wheels...they will break after a while.

I have had a lot of guys wanting to buy my Outback.  I will never sell it.
Ken Kickfish