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

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!!

Nice build

Don't be sorry. You did a lot of upgrades yourself to improve things for what you needed. I like to see people put their mind to a project and make it work. I'm sure if you find a need to change something you will make it happen. You did come right of the gate and set the bar high. Way to go big guy.

WOW

First boat Don't forget your PFD!

Blessed!

Here's my 2016 Excel Bay Pro 203 with 140 Suzuki 4 stroke.

Top pic is just after a guide trip with about 20 crankbait rods not placed in the rod holders yet. I was too busy cleaning crappie at the time.

The middle pic is my fishing buddy Tim (quackrstackr) on a spider rig trip.

The bottom pic is Cuz Rickie (rnvinc), the best boat rigger out there. What can't be seen in any of these photos are my oversized Crappie.com decals proudly displayed on the sides of it.