pontoon systems for your kayak

I was wondering if there was anyone out there or if there was a thread that already exists(i looked and couldnt find one) about how to DIY a pontoon system yourself and add to the stability of a kayak out in the ocean. I have seen them on Riders rig and it seemed like it added a ton of stability essentially i am wanting to use them almost like training wheels for going out into the ocean until i can get a better feel for the swells and just being out in the big blue in general. How hard is it to do usually? is there any threads that may point me in the right direction?

thanks for reading, take care.

I'm sure there is, but keep in mind that it will be way harder to right your kayak if you do flip. Personally I would forgo the pontoons and just head out with no gear for your first time. Of course go with someone, have a radio, and wear proper emersion gear and a PFD. Then head out and have some fun. Or even better take a class.

+1.... No pontoons and time on the water... Classes are great and allways plan on getting dumped!!! I have never dumped it I've heard it can happen Events and hookups are good if you check with others before showing up first time out there. Go with someone and try it, stretch your boundarys saftly

good advice, thanks. I have been out one time before with Rockfish and Rider but i froze up. i got overwhelmed for whatever reason. so i am looking to baby step into this whole going in to the salt thing. it is much more serious than I prior anticipated... i have nothing but respect for the salt but my goodness how humbling of a feeling is it to be a bobber in the big blue.

My suggestion .... leave all the fishing gear, etc.. at home & hit the big blue with someone.  No pontoons, no custom supports, etc.  You will find that it is WAY easier than you are fearing it to be.  Pick a reasonable day & launch location.  I like to launch from the harbor in Monterey just because it is so darn easy & you get warmed up a bit with a short paddle out of the marina before you hit "open" water.

I see TONS of rental yak's with 1st timers on them in Monterey paddling around near the red can & the aquarium.  If you ever want a chaser in this area on a weekend ... let me know!

~Bill

thanks man i will always be open to have an experienced shadow close by. i do have all my safety gear VHF wetsuit yadda yadda so yeah one of these days we will have to go out. i appreciate the invite/offer.

I've been using Hobie Amas on my Revo for a couple of years now.  My first 2 or 3 years I didn't use them so I don't have the feeling that they are a required accessory for me.  However, I really like the added stability they provide which allows me better access to the stuff located behind my seat and occasionally in the front hatch.  As far as it being more difficult to right an overturned yak, I don't see where the small inflatable Hobie Amas would make any difference.  If necessary, they can be quickly deflated or I suppose they could be stabbed with a knife if really quick deflation was needed.  I wouldn't substitute them for experience or use them as a learning tool but I do see them as a nice addition for added stability.  Large rigid amas might be a different issue.  I'm pretty sure Rider uses the same ones as me.

Martin

Bodega bay at Doran... So nice and safe...  Close and camp close to or on the water...

thanks man i will always be open to have an experienced shadow close by. i do have all my safety gear VHF wetsuit yadda yadda so yeah one of these days we will have to go out. i appreciate the invite/offer.

It's a bit of a drive down to here but I'll be your shadow most anytime.

~Bill

I saw some guys in the SC harbor that had built amas out of sparkletts water barrels and used 2x4's to attach them to the kayak's deck.

of course, they also had converted hot air balloon combustion elements to act as bow mounted flame throwers so................

but seriously, it actually worked and no the decks didn't melt. However, I'll join in to the whole "no pontoons necessary" camp. Most yaks have good stability built into the hull design, especially secondary stability. Just get used to paddling and flipping. Once you capsize a few times, you'll see that it's not a very big deal at all to right the kayak and climb back on it.

Was that the flame thrower guys at the Lighted Boat Parade in S.C. Harbor a couple years back?

~Bill

I've seen them built by making a "T" shape out of PVC, then jamming two crab floats onto the T, then slipping (and fixing) the other end of the T into a pair of side-mounted rod holders...

Yeah don't ask me if they are useful in Big Blue, I'm a marsh rat myself..

i got overwhelmed for whatever reason. so i am looking to baby step into this whole going in to the salt thing. it is much more serious than I prior anticipated... i have nothing but respect for the salt but my goodness how humbling of a feeling is it to be a bobber in the big blue.

The exact same thing happened to me. And this was even though I have a fair bit of previous sea kayaking experience. I fell out of practice for over 3 years and what a difference that has made. I've lost a lot of my confidence and have had to enroll in basic sea kayaking classes. Definitely need to get comfortable out there with no gear before any fishing trips are planned.

First of all, don't take this the wrong way. You have one of the most stable kayaks ever built. If you are having issues in stability, you need to stay on flat water till you have enough confidence to paddle that thing without thinking about what you are doing. When you are fishing in a kayak the last thing you want to be thinking about is "am I about to fall out". Then you need to go to Folsom lake on the weekend, staying close to shore, borrow my high seat for that Ride and ride wakes all day long in the kayak. Once you have done that, put the low seat back in it and go to the ocean on a small swell day with no gear. All the pontoons are is a crutch for someone new who has no ability to paddle when they are starting out. You need to know how to handle a kayak without those before you use them. You may not like what I just said, but it will make you better. My dad rides my Tarpon 160 in the ocean at 71 yrs old and has no problems. Practice , practice , practice. Someday you may be able to get out in the big blue.

If you haven't already practiced "self rescue" I think that is the most important thing to do. It will give you a lot more confidence knowing how to get back in your yak.
Trying assist a paddler who can't get back on is very difficult!