stabilizing side pontoons - so your yak wont tip over easily

[arpie]

Hi all

A year or so ago, I found a US site showing a stabilizing method for yaks that seemed a good idea, but were a pain to put on! They wrapped around the yak hull & would probably fray when rubbing against oysters & rocks when fishing in areas like Wallis Lake.

Incredibly stable

standing sponson.jpg

Help prevent surf roll overs

surf broach.jpg

I really liked the idea of making the yak more stable, (especially whilst entering or exiting the surf), whilst also enabling me to stand up in the yak & sight cast! So I started thinking of ways of making them easier to put on. I figured I could use a pair of standard 'fenders' and attach them to the side of the yak using clips of some type. I chose a pair of blue ones with a hole right thru the centre, as they were the perfect size for the gap between the Hobie Paddle rests.

I also wanted to fit a Stakeout Pole (made from an old Ski Stock/pole), so figured it could become part of the Pontoon stabilizing setup.

I bought some S/S stirrups to fit the width of the Stakeout Pole & lots of S/S self tapping screws (s/s locknut & bolt is better.) I also used metal and/or rubber washers (s/s is better) to increase the height of the stirrups when screwed on (to allow for the change of shape in the Hobie Yak sides.)

It is important to line up the Stakeout Pole stirrups so that the pole goes in straight. The stakeout pole is really only designed for shallow, slow moving water, not fast currents or deep water. If you use 2 stakeout poles, you can have the kayak at whatever angle you want, and will be very stable - using the one stakeout pole allows the yak to turn with the current. The front fixture should have you facing into the current/flow, retrieving your lure with the current & the the rear fixture should have you fishing against the current/flow.

Stirrups set up for Stake Out Pole ..... the lower one is also used for the Stabilizing Pontoon/fender to attach to (front).

IMGP3314.jpg

I used a smaller stirrup for the rear of the pontoon/fender.

IMGP3316.jpg

The pontoon/fender is clipped onto both front & rear stirrup (photo is showing the yak on its side.) The Stakeout pole is showing on the side of the yak (note the ski handle.)

IMGP3315.jpg

I am standing on the Hobie Sport, sight fishing. The Stakeout Pole holds me in position & the Pontoon/fender stabilizes me to enable me to stand up (see my foot!)

IMGP3318.jpg

I have fitted the other Fender on the left hand side of the yak as well, putting the 'stake out pole' fitting at the rear of the Buoy, so I have one stake-out fitting on both front & back - gives you a better choice depending on the run of the tide. Using the rear 'stake out pole setting' also allows you to use the handle to assist in standing up! An unexpected bonus!

Having tried it a few times now, I have confidence in the fender setup to both stabilize the yak to enable stand-up sight fishing & also prevent a capsize in the event of inclement weather/tides. Bigger fenders can be used for even more buoyancy & if fitted even lower than mine and really tight to the clips, should prevent any wobble at all!

In the Hobie, when not in use, the Buoys/fenders can be clipped onto the rear bungy cords & then easily attached to the stirrups when required. If fitted lowerv on the yak & causing 'drag' whilst you are underway, just undo the front clip & let them float alongside the rear of the yak, then clip them back on when required. My plan is to use them pretty much every time I go out!


Cheers

Roberta

[woodsy57]

Hi Roberta
Thats a great idea it also could be used to help someone in trouble like a swimmer that has gotten out of there depth or swept with the tide as i know the tide runs at a fast pace at Forster.Great idea thanks for the heads up.

[Dodge]

Roberta a nice simple idea using the fenders, and amazing how much extra buoyancy can come from a small amount of flotation at the side....and like your easy attaching solution.

Anyone going that way can get really good inflatable PVC fenders that are durable, very tough and almost bulletproof, but also very cheap at most ships chandlers.

[PeterJ]

Love it

[StevenM]

Nice one Roberta.

Now one thing, an this is toeveryone out there. If you are using dissimilar metals around a marine environment, try this stuff

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemd ... lutePage=1

[arpie]

Hi all

Took the yak out yesterday & tried standing & casting with both buoys on - with & without the stakeout pole in position!

I was still a bit wobbly without the stakeout pole, but, on still water (non-tidal) it would be easier to stand up without the stakeout pole. I was never going to flip the yak, but if the water was going too fast, it would be difficult to remain upright. My knees are a bit dicky, so the hardest thing is to actually stand up!

WIth the stakeout pole in position, it was fine! I was standing & casting in virtually all directions, except immediately behind me - so covered 75% of the water around me, I reckon! I could see fish 'turning & flashing' in the shallows & casting to them (probably blackfish!) Didn't catch any whilst standing, but caught some whilst sitting - a few undersized flatties & 2 bream. All this in just .3m of water! If I had a 'leaning rack' to lean on once I was upright, it would make it even easier to stand without getting the wobbles ..... but there is only SO MUCH you can take out in a yak with you!!

From memory, I bought the buoys from Whitworths for about $15-19 each when they were on special, so it didn't break the bank.

Thanks for looking!

Roberta

[Ranger]

Now one thing, an this is toeveryone out there. If you are using dissimilar metals around a marine environment, try this stuff

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemd ... lutePage=1

Steven the disimmilar metals, electrolysis and galvanic corrosion thing only becomes an issue on aluminium boats. It's all about the least noble metal (aluminium rates the lowest on the periodic table) giving up it's electrons and slowly decaying when an electrical charge is put through it (saltwater is the catalyst for this charge). Hence, if you join another metal to aluminium and add saltwater a charge is produced and the aluminium will degrade. Duralac acts as a sealant between the two different types of metal, isolating them from contact to help prevent this (in theory). Another respected name is Sikaflex.

With kayaks, they are made of either plastic or fibreglass, so this isn't an issue. Just make sure whatever metal you affix to it wont rust. So make sure all fittings, screws and washers are marine grade stainless, brass or aluminium (stainless is the superior medium to work with), and use a sealant so that water cant enter any holes you drill in the kayak.

Duralac is a very good product and a top sealant, but you don't want black stuff all over ya kayak, so use a clear sealant like Selleys All Clear instead, and then it doesn't matter if you make a bit of a mess with it.

[arpie]

hehehe looks like my washers weren't stainless - I will have to address that!!

CHeers

Roberta

[nextwave]

That is a great idea.

What are those pontoons called? I tried to find them on whitworths website, but no luck.

[arpie]

Hi Nextwave

I am pretty sure I got them from Whitworths - they are just fenders for boats mooring against jetties ...... you can just use the standard ones with loops on the end, rather than the hole thru the middle ones ....... matter of fact, there will be more choice in the size of the standard fenders than in the 'holey' one, I think! The longer or fatter they are, the more stability.

36320_sm.jpg

They also have a great deal just now on inflatable life jackets, too - just $60!! Those waterproof binoculars at $50 sound great too! Yeah, I admit it, I am a gadget junkie!!

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_speci ... stHandler=

Cheers

Roberta

Just make sure you have them low enough on the side of the yak, so that they are mid water when you are on the yak with them.

[Greg@Nowra]

Hi Arpie

I love the photo of the guy comming in on the surf.
Have you tried this with your similar set up?

[arpie]

Hi Greg

...... I love the photo of the guy comming in on the surf. Have you tried this with your similar set up?........

hehehe Not yet!!! And probably not likely too, either!! I'm a wuzz! I was also quite impressed with it, hence my desire to try something a little less severe!!!

Cheers

Roberta

[saltydude]

G'day Roberta are you still using these side pontoons? I'm interested to hear how they are going now that you've had some time to put them thru their paces. I'm considering adding some stabilizers to the revo for standing and sight casting and you're idea looks like a good way to go. Thanks mate

[dishley]

Yep i'm interested too arpie, it'd be good to add some stability in my sit ins when not bassin. I guess it would be harder to right the yak if you did flip it?? (not that i'm planning on it but being me anything can happen)
Also do they have to be hard up against the side of the yak, or do they still work with a tiny bit of room to move?? Clips would allow them a few mm of movement.

[arpie]

Hi Dishley & Dave

Yep, they work a treat! I haven't tried them 'standing whilst drifting' as our current is way to strong & erratic to be confident of not having to sit down in a hurry to change direction fast!!

Dishley - they work better with them snug against the hull, otherwise there is some 'give' and hull slap as well - the 'give' could make it a bit unstable again! However, if you want to try it, just make sure you have adjustable straps connecting to the yak, to snug them up again, if you don't like them 'slack'!

..... I guess it would be harder to right the yak if you did flip it?? (not that i'm planning on it but being me anything can happen)....

Hmmmm, I'm not planning it either!! According to the guy who had the original idea, he didn't think they would flip! He used them for long racing-type yaks that were going offshore ....... and fairly unstable (see top pics) but then again, his were appreciably longer than mine, too (as my yak isn't as long as his.

Maybe try them sticky taped on to give you an idea of where to position them (they must be in the water when you are sitting in it for full stability!)

THey don't have to be the 'hole thru the middle' ones, either! THere are many types & sizes to work with at any decent Boat chandlery.

Cheerio

Roberta