snake doctor
11-16-2010, 08:32 PM
I moved this to a new thread since it does not exactly fit with the Christmas wish list - except maybe for those wishing not to fall out of the yak in 2011. :)
I looked on the Hobie kayak forum and found it was possible to squeeze the mount of the amas in between the front and rear seats on the Outfitter. You have to be careful that it is mounted just far enough to clear the rear pedals and not too far forward such that the front passenger does not have a bar in his back. I like it positioned here so I can see anything that might hit the amas and can keep them clear of fishing lines, fish, etc.
Redhead (Blake) at Massey's helped with ordering and had tips for mounting the amas. It was almost impossible to use anything but well nuts to do the mount in the middle of the yak. Blake suggested adding 3M 5200 marine sealant for more strength -- I did, and think it worked well.
The amas can fit in three positions. Each one inserts into the mounted tube much like the two halves of a yak paddle go together. The pontoons have two part valves - one releases the air, the other is a one way valve for inflation. About three breaths of air inflates each pontoon. The amas can be inflated and added or disassembled and deflated in about 60 seconds.
The stability of the yak was pretty good before the addition, but now it is super stable.
My next step is building a little casting platform (mini tuna tower) for poling and sight fishing redfish. I want to learn to bend pvc and add a nice flat section of plywood for standing. I think the forward rod holders and the "sail hole" in the center of the yak can be utilized to receive the pvc tubes of the platform and perhaps an elevated seat. I will probably consult the rigging guru (PJ) before moving to the platform phase of the project.
I looked on the Hobie kayak forum and found it was possible to squeeze the mount of the amas in between the front and rear seats on the Outfitter. You have to be careful that it is mounted just far enough to clear the rear pedals and not too far forward such that the front passenger does not have a bar in his back. I like it positioned here so I can see anything that might hit the amas and can keep them clear of fishing lines, fish, etc.
Redhead (Blake) at Massey's helped with ordering and had tips for mounting the amas. It was almost impossible to use anything but well nuts to do the mount in the middle of the yak. Blake suggested adding 3M 5200 marine sealant for more strength -- I did, and think it worked well.
The amas can fit in three positions. Each one inserts into the mounted tube much like the two halves of a yak paddle go together. The pontoons have two part valves - one releases the air, the other is a one way valve for inflation. About three breaths of air inflates each pontoon. The amas can be inflated and added or disassembled and deflated in about 60 seconds.
The stability of the yak was pretty good before the addition, but now it is super stable.
My next step is building a little casting platform (mini tuna tower) for poling and sight fishing redfish. I want to learn to bend pvc and add a nice flat section of plywood for standing. I think the forward rod holders and the "sail hole" in the center of the yak can be utilized to receive the pvc tubes of the platform and perhaps an elevated seat. I will probably consult the rigging guru (PJ) before moving to the platform phase of the project.