New AI with custom tramps and first fish

Well after about a month of rigging and preliminary stuff, here are the tramps I made along with some photos from the deflowering of my AI.

To date I have made the following installs starting with gear that I had and supplementing as needed with new and made items

- Scotty flush mount next to rear hatch for light
- FF install - decided to go with my existing monochrome Humminbird for now.  I always buy the West Marine extended warranty.  They replace it if you bring it back broken and they always break on a kayak so I have lots of extra mounting gear and transducer.
--used a spare transducer and glued it using Marine Goop just behind the floatation foam forward of the rear hatch.  I used spare mount with ss thread rod pushed into the foam to hold it in place while drying and left it there.
--Pat R cross bar Ram Mount for FF with West Marine Bulkhead feed through customized and sealed using high density foam plug coated with Marine Goop.  During testing I found that I liked this location but needed to keep it somewhat outboard in order to not interfere with my peddle stroke (big feet I guess)
--Existing Battery power pak, added shock cord loop around rear flush mount to accept clip, added male connector to allow exchange between yaks
-4x Pat R Aka mounts for Scotty equipped 2 each rocket launchers and standard type.  These are all mounted on the inside of the four Akas.
- also have 2 additional Pat R Aka mounts for Scotty to be installed probably on the outside of the front Akas I am thinking for now.
-Made 2 custom Tramps - Navy Blue Trampoline Mesh, black webbing and velcro etc.
--Right tramp includes net holder and length markings up to 48 inches.  Mirage drive can also fit in net holder.
--Left tramp includes 3-rod or gear holder plus pocket and slot for storing dagger board.  Rod holder is removable and held in place with zipper, velcro and clips.  Velcro holds the rod tips at the other end.  The pocket is pleated and includes shock cord tension on top and large flap with velcro closure

Tamps worked out great.  I was very pleased as to how the rods and gear fit.  The net holder also very good but found it a little bit limiting for paddling as it restricts part of the space inside the tramp.  Since the sail will not be up when beach launching, I can always put the net in the rear flush mount during launch when paddling.  Otherwise I really liked it being right there when peddling or sailing.

After taking time to rig up Sunday morning I took photos and headed out to the dab spot.  First drop first fish on new boat was a 3 or 4 inch copper, cpr'ed.  Caught two more dabs on the next couple of drops before wind came up increased the drift and took my interest.  Let the little dabs have a long swim back to the bottom and sailed away.

Back on the beach about noon, no fish but feeling really good.  I saw a guy, forgot his name, with a Marauder fully custom rigged with outboard, spare gas, outriggers, hand painted CF numbers, custom carts, loaded them all up and launched into the wind.  Watched him until he got the motor started and headed in to put stuff away.

This boat is a blast.  Can not wait to get it out in stronger wind and also better fishing conditions.  Here are some photos of my tramps and custom features plus my 1st fish on my new boat.

BTW, I have lots of fabric left over as I needed to buy 3 yards x155 inches min., so I can sell some smaller sized pieces if someone wants to try making some of their own.  Unfortunately they take too much time for me to make them for you.  I make money much easier at my job and can not spare the fishing time any time but Jan and Feb.  Fun project though if you can sew.

Right on!  Welcome to the AI Fleet!    Your tramps look pretty cool too!  It's really hard to pull on the little straps with the Hobie tramps.  I would much rather have fewer larger ones like yours!

Very cool Etienne!!

Congrats and thanks for sharing!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Very nice job on your tramps I like all the storage spots, well thought out. Hope all the mounts worked out for you, I was a little worried you may have bought to many from me but I see you definitely have a plan looks good.

PatR

Say, that's a nice boat....

really pro job on the tramps SackYak. Very clean & thought out.

looks badass good job

Very nice job on your tramps I like all the storage spots, well thought out. Hope all the mounts worked out for you, I was a little worried you may have bought to many from me but I see you definitely have a plan looks good.

PatR

is it possible to have too many Patmounts?

Well designed tramps!  Did you say you made those?  I would buy one if you ever do start making them for sale.

Rey

Ray I would go broke trying to make these for sale.  Though it would probably go faster after the 1st one and the process could be optimized.  I can help with knowledge and materials if you want though.  Also this thing almost killed my wife's sewing machine.  I had to get some pro help on some of the thicker sections cause ours would not handle it.  I would need to make thinner seams, find a better machine or get it all laid out for someone else to sew in order to make more.  I would really rather spend that time fishing.

Dang that is sweet! The new ride looks killer. I'll bring my lasso!

love the pockets. I have the amish ones and I am trying to figure out a way to lash stuff down

You can probably retrofit something similar using the Amish Tramp as a base.  After all, that is basically what I started from.  I can help with construction details if you want.  but mostly you can see what is up.  Happy to provide more details if needed.  The plan for the rod holder on the tramp is to provide rod storage while underway, sailing mostly as you do not want to loose rods overboard on a bump.  I made it removable in case I am just sailing or have only one rod, then I figured it was a great place to keep the gaff, club and boga while fishing.  It became somewhat dual purpose.  Not sure what other accessories i might want to add to the same spot by matching the zipper and velcro pattern, downrigger?

Someone had commented how useless the pocket was on their tramps.  Mine will fit two tackle boxes or a six pack 

it would be cool to have some sort of insulated fish bag/cooler

I just want to buy an AI so I can talk about my tramps.

it would be cool to have some sort of insulated fish bag/cooler

I could rig one or make one but probably buy an existing one and figure a way to attach it.

Maybe a roll out burlap flap on the under side of the net holder for a low tech version.  The air gap on this mesh is about 25% so there is reasonable air flow and drainage through it though I found water tends to bead up on it too when it splashes up.  they dry really fast so evaporative cooling would probably. work well.

I just want to buy an AI so I can talk about my tramps.

tramp whore....wait isn't that the same?