Thread: Cane Pole's Boat of the Month Contest - JANUARY is sponsored by Strike King

I ran into a gentleman at the boat ramp today and as we talked he asked about my boat. I told him what it was and who I got it from and he replied I remember that boat saying that his dad and Mr. Sammy (the previous owner of my boat) had identical boats back in the day. He said his father had passed away and the boat that was like mine had been sold but It was nice talking with him and listening to him talk about the past. You could tell seeing my old boat brought back some good memories for him.

Originally Posted by kickingback

I know this is not a "boat" but my kayak is my "boat" and I am proud to show here off...



Pics of upgrades....

My 2011 Hobie PA 14. Bought it locally and it is used but in excellent condition. I will try to cover all my upgrades and items I have added to my kayak.

My manual bilge pump and sponge...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/ROBERTS-Q-700...eywords=sponge

My binoculars...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My head lamp for night fishing...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My tie down net for the stern storage...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022ZXO40/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this SAE to USB to charge my phone and speaker if needed...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can check the battery level if needed using this SAE battery tender...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bought this paddle for use on docks to pull close and pushing off or to hit and kill fish or just one handed paddling. It is great to have!!!...
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...nd-Paddle.html


Made my own 360 all around light. I bought some LED single bright lights from Academy when they were on sale for .50 for two lights. I think they discontinued them. I got a piece of small PVC and glued the lights to the pvc so they were on four sides. I then inserted the wires and the small PVC into a wider PVC to hold the wiring and lights and added a small clear PVC tube piece around the lights to keep them waterproof. I added an SAE plug to plug into any SAE. I also bought a small 12V double AA battery box to run the light on it's own if needed. Attached with velcro for stand alone. Painted it and added flags and reflective tape. The base is a 1 1/4" to 3/4" reducer to fit in rod holder middle slot...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Made my own stake out pole from 3/4" fiberglass tree stake and added a PVC "T" handle and lanyard. Bought a PVC valve to use as a stake out pole anchor for yak. Simple turn of handle locks it in place or lets it drop to the bottom. Added 1" PVC and coupler to bottom of valve to stick in scupper holes adn added some tape to dampen the noise and make a tight fit. Works great!..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321522588283...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT




Bought a cheap solar windshield protector from an auto parts store and cut to fit for my front and middle hatches. Keeps it 5-10 degrees cooler in the sun I have found...




I added my own anchor trolley. Bought some heavy duty anchor line. Bought two stainless pulleys from Amazon and two SS 2" rings from Home Depot and added guides for the top rope. Cheaper than buying a new anchor trolley kit...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I installed a ball mount on the seat for my Helix 5 SI sonar and a ball mount up front for my transducer to make sure it is clear of my mirage drive. I plug in to the SAE port for easy removal and secure storage...





Built my own "big arse" rod holder. I used 1 1;/4" PVC and made some of the pieces removable for storage and transport. I drilled holes where they connect and used a cotter pin to secure instead of permanent PVC glue. I started out with just the back part with 6 rod holders and the light holder. I then saw a guy who made the extensions next to seat and they are VERY convenient and close and can be used for trolling. I made the top rod holders movable to set the rod pointed out for trolling. Painted everything white to reflect the sun. The black strips on the holder are velcro to attach to items to keep from loosing them. Easy build...



Raised my seat 3 1/2" by adding 2x4's between the seat and seat mount. It is easy to build but the long bolts are hard to find so I ahd to drill a hole for shorter screws for same effect. It is more comfortable being higher with my bad back. I have to compensate now as center of gravity is now higher and makes it easier to tip. Will probably take it off when I go BTB to be safe...


Now for some of the big upgrades.
Bought this battery to power everything on the yak. This battery is 35 amp hours and lasts long on a charge. I powered my lights, sonar, spot light and charging my phone for one night and only 10% of the battery was used over a 12 hour period. It is a heavier battery (23 lbs) but I got it so I could power a trolling motor if I later add one home made. I will post at end how I will do it...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I wired the lights to run to switches I mounted under the seat on the middle hatch. Used waterproof switches and used liquid tape to completely seal the connections and exposed wires. Salt water will not penetrate it or make it come off like electric tape. I used 14 gauge wire for the lights which is fine for the small amps they use and I used heavier 10 gauge for the two SAE sockets I added to plug in SAE items like flood lights and higher amp items. Put a 15 Amp fuse at the battery for entire system. Battery is strapped in. I figure no need to waterproof a sealed battery. If I add a trolling motor later I will buy another battery like this one and it will sit side by side in the front hatch and I could go all day and then some as I can use both batteries if one dies while on the water. I still have to tidy up the wires with some zip ties as I just put the electrics in yesterday...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1









The lights were bought at Academy for both the green outside lights and white interior lights. I drilled the smallest holes I could and ran the wires and gooped it real good int he hole and where I screwed the lights to the outside to better protect them from bumps to the side of the yak...
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mari...dCatid=1021882
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/no-l...dCatid=1011854






That about covers it I think. If you need more information let me know. I had fun upgrading and I will be adding some more decals to the side in the future.

Oh, and if you look at the pictures of the lights above you will see my handle I use in most forums. I got the decals from here... http://www.decalnetwork.com



I know this is a long post. Sorry. I wanted to give as much detail as i could. Thanks for looking!!

Being a yaker and knowing a little about customizing something for your personal needs and likes. You have my vote for sure , not that my vote counts, but you did a heck of a job with your kayak.

My Wilderness Systems Ride 135 is probably my 8th kayak, been so many hard to remember. This is the only kayak I have attempted
renovations and accessories like a depth finder/fish finder. The seat that came with it was just great, but I stand and fly fish at times
and wanted something that sit higher than a standard high backed seat even though it was adjustable. With this seat I can slowly spin
around to access the cooler and storage compartment. Mostly fish single pole but have long lined at times while drifting and added the
rod holders on both sides for that purpose. Have entertained the idea of a pedal powered kayak but just have not pulled that trigger
yet. Just finished 10 weeks of physical therapy for arthritis in my hips and am now feeling more frisky than usual. Time will tell. Watch
out for me on the dance floor. LOL

My 2011 bass tracker 175! Got her rigged with spyderloc's soon to be upgrading with terrova!

2012 st195 Lowe with Mercury 115 4 stroke, 24 volt motor guide trolling motor,2 lowrance HD5 front and console with bottom and side scan, 4 hi tech rod holders with 7 mounts for them 2 rear 2 middle 3 front, hi tech mount for front depth finder. Cumberland crappie16 rod rack, double seat in back, air bubbles in live wells, lights in all compartments and live wells, blue lights under rail on inside of boat. B n M 14' poles with shakespear bait casters. and 2 crappie.com stickers on the side.

Okay here is my boat. Unfortunately it stays more dry than wet.

Nice D. If I don't go back glass. It'll prob be an express

Well, Walt & I do not have a fully "tricked" out crappie rig by any stretch of the imagination, but we do just fine from our old "Tin Lizzy":