Stealth BFS - Fully rigged - Now with pics

[Alby]

Hi Guys
Well, I have a Hobie Adventure which I really love, but wanted something else as well......something suitable for all size surf launches, and something that I can have fun surfing on when not fishing.
So, I went down to the Goldie and saw Mick. I ended up buying a BFS. Although the Supelight and Superlight X would be more fun to surf, they don't have the paddle speed of the BFS.

Here is a list of the pimp items................

Sounder & GPS
Deck mounted on RAM mounts forward of the footwells.

Forward mounted High rise rod holders
They go into flush mounts in the hatch cover. The hatch cover being reinforced with a 2mm aluminium plate under it, and an extra strap across the front of the hatch.

The big advantage here is that you can see the rod tips when you'rs trolling. Easy to see strikes, and also if my lure catches on the bottom I can flip the bail arm over straight away so the thing doesn't get really snagged. This exact thing happened last Friday on my Hobie, and being able to see the instant the lure caught I was able to take off the any tension until I got the kayak back up the other side of the snag and I was able to free the lure. If I used the rod holders behind me the lure would be still on the bottom.

Gear bag
has a cord attached so it can be slid right forward in the storage hatch and yet easily retrieved back (by pulling the cord) to get gear out. By having it pushed forward the fish bag can be sitting directly below the hatch cover.

Fish bag
Both the fish bag and gear bag are the same. Vinyl bags bought from Big W. They fit beautifully in the hatch. almost perfect size - 600L x 300 x 300.

Sharkshield mounting
A must!......a simple rope set-up is all I have so far, but it works well.

Deck mounted tackle box
On velcro just behind the seat

Seat belt (for surfing)
A must for handling bigger surf, and getting the most out of the ski when surfing. No way my bum gets washed out of the seat.

Trolley storage (C-Tug)
Most of it goes in a bag in the rear hatch, with just the wheels going in the main hatch.

The set-up is in such a way that all the deck mounted stuff is removeable and stored in the ski when in the surf zone.

So...............stay tuned for pics and sketches where I think pics don't demonstrate properly.
Cheers
Alby

[mark]

I'm watching Alby. i'm in the exact same boat, got sicked of getting smashed in the adventure, i picked up my stealth today. I'll probably go much more simple than yours, but still interested to see how you go.

[Alby]

Some more pics. It wouldn't let me ad more than 5

[Alby]

And more......

[kritter67]

Noice !!! BUT wheres the roll cage , you got all the bells and whistles , and its yum yum yellow . Oh and dont forget to add at least one pool noodle , FISH2U , K-----------

[Alby]

Bit slow getting all the pics up....Last one.............two

[redracingski]

Nice Alby,

Just one question where have you mounted your transducer or it a suction cut.

Cause isnt there a gap between the outside and inner hulls.

[Alby]

Trick photography!........I've only mounted the RAM mount base so far, so plonked the sounder off my Adventure on there for the shot. I was told, and I'm not sure how true it is that it's almost as expensive to buy another transducer and powder cable (use same sounder) as it is to buy a new cheap sounder for the BFS....anyway digressing here....You're right.....I just had a look. Thanks for the tip. I haven't thought too much about it yet.... getting above decks sorted. I didn't think I'd get this far until next week!
I have seen sounders mounted on Stealths, so I'll check with Mick....will let you know.
Cheers
Alby

[ant]

Alby
Very impressive set up the fish need to worry. Have a look at the Stealth web site under manuals for transducer installation. And just a tip, I would be inclined to add a velcro strap off the lid strap nut on the inside of the hatch to secure your rods. I was caught on a big wave coming in , stood the yak on its nose, the rods shot forward in the hatch broke the tip of one and drove the other through the liner leaving it split and cracked .
Happy fishing

Ant

[ArWeTherYet]

Interesting set up Alby
Can you reach the buttons on the sounder OK?
I havent ever seen a seat belt on a SOT before, only thigh straps. Wouldn't they be dangerous? I take it you know how to roll?

[Alby]

Thanks for the tips Ant.

Paul, yes, I do know how to roll, but some craft are easier than others. Haven't tried the BFS yet. I surfed wave skis for years, and we started using seat belts even before we knew how to roll. Pretty safe really the buckle is quick release, and I've never been caught in a situation where the quick release failed...in 30 years of surfing. I'll let you know how easy the sounder is to operate, but I really only use my sounder for bottom depth and structure, so I don't do much other than turn it on and off. I tend to play with the GPS more.

Alby

[locky24]

Interesting set up Alby
Can you reach the buttons on the sounder OK?
I havent ever seen a seat belt on a SOT before, only thigh straps. Wouldn't they be dangerous? I take it you know how to roll?

I saw this in action a few weeks back while surfing and the seat belt looked as though it was doing a great job.
I think Alby was using some of his experiance with wave ski's in the surf.
It has a quick release buckle on the strap. So rolling would just mean undoing it.
After having a close up look at it I could see its benefits & it was put together wery well as I saw Alby pick up his BFS using the strap.

[ArWeTherYet]

Thanks for the info, might get the phone no. of Terry sometime as a good fibre glasser will probably be needed from time to time.

What do you think of installing a retractable skeg instead of having a rudder and fixed skeg? Is it doable? I'm not a fan of rudders (damn fishing line gets caught around them and a fixed skeg limits you in shallow water).

[Peril]

Alby, will be keen to see how you go with the mods. You've gone where I wouldn't have. What fish do you target?

Thanks for the info, might get the phone no. of Terry sometime as a good fibre glasser will probably be needed from time to time.

What do you think of installing a retractable skeg instead of having a rudder and fixed skeg? Is it doable? I'm not a fan of rudders (damn fishing line gets caught around them and a fixed skeg limits you in shallow water).

don't imagine that its doable

[YakN00b]

If you look at my build pics you will see how to mount a transducer internally. I wanted to be able to troll with the rods in the front but I cant stand stuff on the hatch lid in my way that looks good but its way too much clutter for me and I could never reach the electrics.