Stealth BFS MM2 Ultra Pimped!

[ArWeTherYet]

As to a downrigger, I haven't even thought about installing one. They can be a bit exxy so would experiment with a simple big snapper bomb and string first. Wondering now where I'd use it - possibly at Caloundra, Palmy and other reefs, maybe in the deep channels at Jumpinpin. Where are you looking to use yours mainly?

But all the cool kids have got them

Should be better for trolling livies and whole dead bait. I just ordered this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Scotty-1 ... iesQ5fGear

Most are using this one http://cgi.ebay.com/Scotty-Depthmaster- ... 33625a1a91

I'll see what it looks like when it arrives.

[Gerardy]

those rod covers are brilliant..brilliant i say

[indiedog]

Gerardy, glad you like. And I'm still loving them.

[indiedog]

A few more things resolved.

Paddle Leash.
Sorted out my paddle leash. I didn't like the way the bulky coiled section bounced around and got caught on things right in front of me but do like the shock absorption it gives. I carefully cut the velcro paddle wrap from the coiled leash and then put a length of 4mm spectra cord in between the two using some simple bowline knots and heat shrink to connect. The coiled section is now connected to the handle at the front of the yak. I've added a jam cleat to the hatch and the spectra cord is then put into it with some stretch on the coil to keep all in place. What happens is that if I come off the yak, the spectra is pulled out of the cleat and I'm then connected to the front of the yak at a safe distance with some shock absorption. Much better for surf conditions and much less crap immediately in front of me.

Paddle leash coil attached to front of yak

Spectra cord through jam cleat and then to paddle

Fish Bag
Another thing I'm trialling is a fish bag. To try and keep the fish box smelling rosy I wanted a waterproof bag to slip the fish into as soon as they were caught. The whole bag then goes in the main hatch but backwards under the seat. I had delusions about making a bag from scratch however this necessitated purchasing a plastic welder etc etc so I opted for a cheap dry bag of reasonable proportions from BCF for $15 to do a trial run. It's already been tested with a 70cm flattie and a couple of 50cm+ snapper. Might be a tad difficult to get a big spaniard in there but I'll worry about that when I have to! There are a few bonuses of slipping the fish straight into the fish bag including containing the smell and the slime (keeps rods etc clean and makes yak cleaning much easier), plus when I'm back to shore and the car I can just throw some ice into the bag, close it up, and my fish are in much better condition when I arrive home. I may start to take out some ice with me so the fish can be cooled immediately upon capture. No doubt when I do this I won't catch anything.

Cheap trial fishbag

In position under seat

I am looking at taking a "priest" with me on my spaniard sessions to make them more compliant about getting into the bag.

[RackRaider]

the lift up tray with the gaff, lip gripper and size and regulations sheet is fantastic.
do you think i could do the same with my Profish's center hatch?

[indiedog]

the lift up tray with the gaff, lip gripper and size and regulations sheet is fantastic.
do you think i could do the same with my Profish's center hatch?

Can't see why not. Is the front of the hatch hinged? This would help keep the front of the hatch in position when you lift it. I just had to position everything where it fit so you may just have to experiment a bit to find the best layout. Is it possible to get a piece of cutting board or ply a bit smaller than the hatch that you can fix everything to and then use bungy to fix the board in place for fishing, and then put the whole thing inside the well when and if necessary? I'm looking to do something similar at a later date.

[TimeOut]

Indiedog,

I have a Stealth Evo 465 and want to make my Fish Hatch restricted in how far it opens. I have seen some Stealth owners put straps or bungee from inside the hatch itself to the hatch lid. I just cant find how people have atached the strap to the lid and i am reluctant to drill holes in the lid.

Can you point me to any posts or pictures of how people have strapped the hatch?

Thanks,

[indiedog]

I am reluctant to drill holes in the lid.

Can you point me to any posts or pictures of how people have strapped the hatch?

Timeout, I haven't seen how anyone else holds their hatch in the upright position. My hatch already had an alum' plate on the underside so I used it to hold my cord in place. As to how to do yours? I think a couple of well placed fixings will not detract from the aesthetics or otherwise of your Evo. I'd do it in one of two ways.

1. Have a webbing strap fixed to where your foot straps attach to the hull. Have that run over the top of the hatch to the other side. Where the strap crosses the hatch, fix it using double sided tape or velcro. That way there are no holes. Could be a pain if you get caught up in it.

2. Use a nylon cord (like I have) on the inside and again attach to where the foot strap fixings are. Use two stainless cup head M4 bolts with nyloc nuts on the iside to fix a loop of flat nylon strap or similar which holds a small plastic or ss "D" ring. Either tie the nylon cord to the D ring or use a small plastic clip which would allow you to undo it easily. If you use some washers on the top that should look fine. Instead of using washers and cupheads, you could also use occy loop "buttons" and a countersunk bolt. Very neat from the top and maybe useful for attaching something else to.

In my opinion Option 2 would be much better and only necessitates 2 small holes in the hatch. Go on, do it! It doesn't hurt a bit!

I'm soon to revise my hatch layout and looking to use the occy "buttons" to attach things. I hope that helps.

Brad

[TimeOut]

Thanks Indiedog,

Yes i was trying to avoid drilling holes but it would be the best. Great detail in your reply. I looked over yuor pics, the one with you son holding up the hatch but can't pick up any details of your inside attachment. Would you be able to post another pic with the detail you mentioned?


For Christmas my wife is giving me a Garmin GPS MAP 78, isn't she wonderful!! I noticed on another Stealth the had mounted his to the hatch under the first strap. I was wondering if that would interfer with your paddle stroke? What did you find? I was trying to install the RAM mounting before Christmas so I can use it straight away.

[TimeOut]

Thanks Indiedog,

Yes i was trying to avoid drilling holes but it would be the best. Great detail in your reply. I looked over yuor pics, the one with you son holding up the hatch but can't pick up any details of your inside attachment. Would you be able to post another pic with the detail you mentioned?


For Christmas my wife is giving me a Garmin GPS MAP 78, isn't she wonderful!! I noticed on another Stealth the had mounted his to the hatch under the first strap. I was wondering if that would interfer with your paddle stroke? What did you find? I was trying to install the RAM mounting before Christmas so I can use it straight away.

[indiedog]

TimeOut, sorry for my tardy reply. I was meaning to take a pic or two but haven't gotten around to it. I'll do it most likely Monday when I have the yak out at Palmy.

Regarding interference with the paddle stroke, I only on rare occasions touch the top of my sounder with the forward blade at the limit of my stroke and only when I'm not thinking. My sounder sits reasonably high so I'd say that most items mounted there shouldn't be an issue however everyone paddles differently. Just make sure you use the short RAM arm to mount the GPS.

Cheers, Indie.

[HAWKEYE3]

indiedog,

This thread of information is invaluable. Good Work.

I will keep an eye out for future developments.

Regards

Hawkeye3

[TimeOut]

Thanks Indiedog. I ended up using P Clips on the underside of the hatch to secure the cord. Works well. All mounted and was unpacking at the ramp yesterday to test paddle everything and along rolled in thunderstorm and now 7 days of rain. Oh well, the sun has to shine again some time ...

I am going to put some pics and a small write up in the Rigged Kayaks section once i have water tested all my installations.

Thanks again.

[yeeyak]

great detailed pics

[indiedog]

After several outings including surf entries and exits it's time to review how it's all holding together. I've already said what I thought was great and haven't changed my mind about those things so I'll just go over what's not working or needs improving.

Scotty Rod Holder
While I love the idea of this thing I'm finding it restricts my paddle stroke too often to justify keeping it. So I'll go back to the original recessed holder and will have to add some reinforcing to make sure all the factory mounting screws have something to bite into. I might investigate some extension tubes and possibly another place to mount a rod holder.

Hatches
I still love them but have found that the front one especially gets jammed possibly with sand in it. This is more indicative of the hatch itself and I might try some silicone spray to stop it jamming. If I ever own another stealth I'll certainly install both hatches again.

Hardware
The position of everything is working well however the clips are losing their strength slightly causing the grippers to come free if I drop the hatch closed or crash over a big wave. No biggy but would be nice if it didn't happen.

Sounder
I cut about 20mm or so off the height of the Scotty mount to lower the head unit as much as possible. This helps to avoid touching it with the blade of the paddle on rare occasions. I'm also finding that the stick on cable tie mounts are letting go. I'll have to get some I can glue or resin on to fix this issue.

Rod Sleeves
Still loving them but need to find a way to stop the hooks going through the material. Might sew on some flexible plastic or similar near the openings or try some treble plastic caps - possibly easier.

So on the whole it's still working well and presently I can't see myself using a different style of yak. It handles the surf well and I can camp out of it (The 4 day trip from GC to Bris will test this more thoroughly). I've also got a few other things in mind to do to it and will post these up after they are done.

Cheers, Indie.