[The Mariner]

Hi Everyone,

Thought it was about time I posted a couple of pics of my current boat. It's a Perception Swing in std. HoK fit-out but with a Humminbird fishfinder & a small nylon cutting board/bait tray that I bungee to the hump in the console.

 

[Bleys]

Very, very nice, Phil. I must say, those Swings are just about too beautiful to ride on.

 

[Dan A]

Very Niice and love the color too :wink:

 

[hairymick]

Hi Phill,
Nice boat! You SOT types are beginning to corrupt me I think.
Is a 3 or 4 mile each way paddle each reasonably achievable in one of these?
regards,
hairymick
NATURELINE - wanderer,osprey & mermaid.

 

[The Mariner]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the kind comments

Occy,

I use the Berkley 'Professional Rod Holder', part number BRH on my boat as well as all the kayaks I fit-out for customers. At the moment I find the Swing is the one that currently suits me & my fishing requirements the best. It's also my best-seller by a big margin but that doesn't mean the others out there aren't any good.

Bleys,

I don't know what it is but I think the Swing is a really pretty design. In flying terms, if an aircraft looks good it usualy flys good too & I think the same applies to kayaks.

Gatesy,

Yep, it sure is. I bought a 2-pack of cutting boards & cut 20mm wide strips off the larger one and screwed them to the smaller one to form the sides of a tray. That way any stinky bait juice doesn't get into the cockpit, I can cut bait safely, I can temporarily keep stuff in the tray & it's less likely to fall out and I can hang hard-bodied or soft plastic lures off the sides when they are not in use. It's super-handy !

Hairymick,

Yes, its certainly possible. The Swing has a pretty good paddle speed compared to slower boats but it's not as fast as the longer, skinnier kayaks. It doesn't sit high on the water either so it's less likely to be affected by side-winds. Earlier this year I had a 3 mile paddle back home directly into 25kt winds with 1-1/2 foot high chop every 5 feet. Waves that broke at the bow were splashing over my head, trying to wash my hat off & at no time was I concerned I'd get dumped. It was a tough paddle but I made it back without being physically wrecked.

 

[wets]

I was wondering how to set up a cutting board :idea: for my swing.

Cheers Phil

wets

 

[The Mariner]

Welcome to the forum Wets

Here's a bit more of a close-up view...

 

[Guest]

Very Nice Phil top colour good to see a pic of one of your Yaks 8)
i still love the swings i dont know there is just something about them
Cheers Benjamin

 

[Polar]

Sweet setup Phil - very tidy - lots of accessories but does not look cluttered - starting to sound like I should be on a home improvement show

 

[Angles]

Very Nice setup Phil.
Love that colour (miss my green one) and that cutting board idea - Fantastic! I also noticed you have the paddle keeper on the left and achor trolley on the right. Do you find that more convenient than vice versa for landing fish etc. or is it coincidence? Have been contemplating the same setup but was thinking the reverse if you know what I mean. I tend to favour landing fish on the left of my yak. Also very impressed with the extra handles another great idea. I now have lots of ideas to add more bling to the swing!!!!!

 

[The Mariner]

Hi Phil,

The paddle keeper keeps the paddle tight against the hull so it doesn't get in the way. I'm right handed & having the trolley on the RHS makes it easier to manage all the anchoring gear.

The side handles make it soooooo much easier to load a Swing onto roof racks & they are just another great idea bought to you by Hooked On Kayaks ! (Disclaimer: That was a shameless plug!)

 

[Dan A]

Hi Phil,

With your rod holder there, does it get in the way at all while paddling as on my swing will be wanting to tilt the rod down when paddling through and under broken trees etc in bass country...I see its on about the 2nd notch of the foot wells, in general if you were outfitting one for a client, where would you fit this type of rod holder?

Hard to test my paddling stroke out of the water...otherwise I might just wait until I can test it on the water.

Dan

 

[The Mariner]

Hi Dan,

Mount it too far forward & it's hard to reach, too far back & it gets in the way of your paddle stroke & your leg. I fit different model Berkley's to the one you have, but about 90mm back from the footrest position works & allows you to take a 95% full paddle stroke.

 

[Chillihilli]

Hi Phil, nice yak.. Great choice of colour :wink:

A couple of things you mentioned:
The paddle keeper: I had a paddle escape on me in rough water. so always good practice to leash it (particularly if you are leaving the yak and diving for crayfish for a while). Other than that, the keeper is very handy in normal fishing duties.
The handles: Great idea, must get some of those. The moulded handle is useful but only to a certain angle.
The rod mounts: Not p'ing in your pocket, but I reckon you've nailed the position of that front swivel mount rod holder. It's just right so you can put your foot against the rod butt whilst trolling with the rod at right angles to the yak. So Dan A, to answer your question, I got one on the LHS and would have put it in the same spot if I fitted it myself. The flush mounts behind the seat are also very handy and I have caught fish with the rods in the back holders. It works a treat.
The wind: you do get blown a bit if the wind is anything but on the nose. Certainly not as bad as the diveyak I used to have.

Love the Swing !

 

[solatree]

Great Kayak Phil - do you still have her ?