More on the Trident

My son (10) and I took my new Trident down to the flat water of Mission Bay to get it wet, check for leaks, get some rescue practice in, and get to know the kayak better.

It was a crawl-around day. This kayak is very stable, particularly for a 29-incher. I stood in the cockpit, sat on the nose (the very front 6"), perched on the stern, put it on edge, tried side-saddle on the center hatch, even sat on the bow hatch to submerge it and learn how much water it would take on.

All right - I've changed my mind on sitting sideways. It is certainly viable and not especially uncomfortable. The center hatch holds the weight without trouble.

I managed to squeeze a couple of gallons through the hatch seals. Most probably snuck in when I crawled around on the underside of the hull. It was nothing more than I expected - almost every boat leaks when upside down with a load. This thing is stable even upside down!

Rigging a forward rod holder still has me a bit puzzled. The covered fishfinder recess is right where I'd normally stick one. I like my bow rod to be up in front of my feet where it is always out of the way of my paddle arc. At this point  I'm thinking RAM Ball and Tube beside the 'Sonar Shield.'

A Scotty flushmount would work there too, but only if it were up tight to the gunwale so the rod butt could hang over the side. The downside to that is it would only work one way, across the kayak. The Rod Tube, although less trustworthy, could be fished to either side. 

Pal does your Trident have a rudder and if not do you think it needs one. Have you done any rigging to yours yet and if so any pics. Cant what to test one myself.

Pat R

No rudder. Yes, this OK has enough of a water line to really benefit from a rudder - however, I didn't miss it. This boat can be lean-turned.

Rigging is still an open question. I put a RAM ball / tube beside the sonar shield, then aimed it back toward me. It worked well as a forward rod rest and work station, out of the way of the paddle arc but within easy reach of the cockpit. It is not the ideal setup for trolling in gear though.