Quarantine Kayak Build

U ought to be proud of that one COWBRO!!!

Looks reel nice!

That is awesome!!! Upgrading to the larger rudder was a good move.

We had a decent break in the smoke yesterday and the air quality wasn't too bad so i braved the 100* weather to get another quick test run in. No fish slime yet, but i did get some Sacramento River Delta Slime which is probably nastier. lol.

Rigging is pretty much complete. I installed the transducer and transducer skidplate. I ordered some thicker black HDPE for the skid, but shipping got interrupted by the wildfires so i improvised with an $.88 cutting board from Walmart. I added track to each side, the Lowrance Hook 5 is on the left and rod holder on the right. I added a ram ball behind the seat and i have a ram tube that i'll use to hold the net. I also splurged and bought the Hobie cart that fits into the drive well, it is super light and works really well. Worth the $144. I also bought a cup holder and track hoping that i could find a spot to mount it in the cockpit, but space is getting pretty tight. It looks like it might end up behind the seat, i haven't decided on that one yet. You can also see in the picture how my 7.5' jigging rod stows away on the deck, the rod holder folds back and secures it to the deck, should be very secure for surf launches.

Almost forgot. I fired up the old sticker cutter and made these for each side. The JEM Watercraft turned out real good. I like the font for the Blue Fin 15, but i am not sure how well it is going to hold up.

I also bought a cup holder and track hoping that i could find a spot to mount it in the cockpit, but space is getting pretty tight.

Maybe attach the cup holder to the seat, along with a mesh bag for slime-free food storage? On my Hobie, I put a camelbak inside the hull and route the drinking tube thru the hull. Not only does it save space, but I've got a 24 hour (or more) supply of water...

Great to see it on the water. How did it pedal?

Nowhereman, that is a great idea. I may steal the kamelbak in the hull idea. My big limitation on the cup holder is being able to open the center hatch and leaving room for my legs when not pedaling.

FYI, I can fit 6ea 3600 plano boxes in the hull right in front of the seat. Which is awesome for storage. I am planning in two for bait and tackle, one for supplies and one deep one for snacks and food.

KPD,

It pedalled great. I was out at Rio Vista so there was a pretty good current going and I clocked 5.3knts against the current and 7 going with it. I feel pretty comfortable averaging those out to 6knots or about 7mph. Not bad for standard fins. Eventually I'll upgrade to turbo fins. My buddy said that 7mph looked like i was up on plane, lol. It is definitely the fastest kayak I've ever been on.

6 knots is cooking!

Nowhereman, that is a great idea. I may steal the kamelbak in the hull idea. My big limitation on the cup holder is being able to open the center hatch and leaving room for my legs when not pedaling.

FYI, I can fit 6ea 3600 plano boxes in the hull right in front of the seat. Which is awesome for storage. I am planning in two for bait and tackle, one for supplies and one deep one for snacks and food.

KPD,

It pedalled great. I was out at Rio Vista so there was a pretty good current going and I clocked 5.3knts against the current and 7 going with it. I feel pretty comfortable averaging those out to 6knots or about 7mph. Not bad for standard fins. Eventually I'll upgrade to turbo fins. My buddy said that 7mph looked like i was up on plane, lol. It is definitely the fastest kayak I've ever been on.

Damn that is fast!

Good job man.  Be proud!  and, thaks for sharing and inspiring.

Bushy

Wow !

Great looking ride. What a great sense of accomplishment that's got to be !

Nice looking compartments and rod holder area.

Alex

I've been watching the build, that thing turned out so nice!

Time to start the next ones

 Fast Yak Cowbro!
Looks like ya built a sleeper
Again, nice job! It just keeps on getting better!

Scotty

6 knots is cooking!

If it's sustainable speed, that's about the same or better compared to Revo 16!  However, this thing is way cooler than the Revo

yakyakyak, It is not sustainable for me, lol. maybe for Lance Armstrong. I need to get out a pedal more often, too much time in the workshop sanding these last few months.

It looks like a nice very gentle cruise at 3.5knts, 4-5 for hammering out to the fishing spots. Hopefully this weekend the smoke and fires will magically disappear and we can get out and officially slime this thing in the ocean. (Fingers Crossed)

That is some impressive work! Great looking kayak. I wish I was as productive as that during quarantine.