U.S. Pat #6871608
1.
Accessories
You may want to
fix different
accessories to your W Fishing Kayak, such a
rod holders, compass, fish finder, GPS etc. In any case do not
use
glue since the boat is made form Polyethylene that doesn't bond with
anything in the long run.If you use rivets, screws or bolts make sure that you're not making holes under the waterline or better - not even close to it. For rivets it is recommended to drill holes of a slightly smaller diameter and force the rivet in. For example: for 3/16 rivets use a 11/64 drill bit. 1.1 Winter Fishing
1.2 Motorizing Your W Fishing Kayak
1.3 Paddle Holders
1.4 Tackle boxes, fish tanks, bait tanks etc.
1.5 Rod holders You'll find it easy to outfit your W fishing kayak with additional rod holders of all types. When you cut holes for flush mount rod holders make sure you don't make the holes too big since that would not leave enough space for holes for the rivets or bolts that you need to use in order to fix the rod holder in its place. 1.5.1 Rod holders on top of the hulls (saltwater) When you fish in saltwater it is advantageous to keep the reels dry. With the flush mounted rod holders that come standard with the W your reels are already higher above waterline than they are in a regular kayak, but you can put them even higher simply by fixing rod holders to a milk crate and attaching it on top of the hulls behind the cockpit, as seen in this photo, courtesy of Jeff M. from Florida. Note: Wavewalk offers to outfit your W fishing kayak with optional deck mount RAM rod holders 1.6 Extra eyelets (tie-downs) It's easy to rivet extra eyelets (tie-downs) to your W fishing kayak. Never do it below waterline or even close to waterline. 1.7 Anchors You can outfit your W fishing kayak with any type of anchor that's commonly used with canoes, kayaks, dinghies and other small boats. The simplest way to drop the anchor is between two hull tips.
1.8 Coolers Big coolers fit on top of the saddle inside the cockpit, or attached on top of the hulls behind or in front of the cockpit. Slim coolers can fit in the bottom of a hull, for example the RUBBERMAID SLIM COOLER 1801 model. (Thanks Jo M., FL for the info) 1.9 Plastic Chair
2.
Transportation
2.1 Pulling Mat
If you need to carry your W over long distances you can attach a rope or a strap to it and simply pull it behind you. However, you should not do it over abrasive surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. For such surfaces you may want to consider a trolley, or a simpler and more effective solution that we'll call 'Pulling Mat'. Besides the fact that it is cheaper than a trolley and easier to use, the pulling mat can be easily stored onboard your W - unlike a trolley. The two photos below show Gary's simple and effective pulling mat.
3.1 Standard Internal Floatation
3.2 Standard Side Floatation In addition, we offer to outfit your W fishing kayak with removable, foam 'noodles' floatation attached to the cockpit's sides at no extra cost. This type of floatation can help preventing water from getting into the cockpit in case the kayak is laying on its side after capsizing. It can also help preventing the kayak from overturning in extreme cases. 3.3 Custom Floatation - DIY This section is offered as an information service but it doesn't necessarily mean that you need to consider outfitting your W kayak with custom floatation. Before determining if you need custom floatation at all, what kind of solution and how much of it to use it's advised to consider advantages vs. disadvantages of each solution - see list below. Floatation can add to the boat's weight. Too much of it can make your boat more difficult to paddle, carry and load on top of your car. Other considerations such as cost and durability may be important too. Materials: Permanent Floatation 1. Cast, fixed floatation from Low Density, Expanding Marine Urethane Foam such as http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html When you cast the mixture use small quantities (maximum one cup per casting) to prevent the expanding foam from distorting the hulls. Removable Floatation 2. Cutting Removable Floatation modules from Closed Cell Foam. This type of floatation is very popular among kayakers and canoeists. Be sure that the foam blocks are attached to your boat in a way that will prevent them from floating away in case the boat is filled with water or overturned. Do not use glue for this purpose, as Polyethylene doesn't bond well with anything. Using hardware is the best solution. http://www.merryweather.com/ 3. Cutting Removable floatation modules from Styrofoam. This type of floatation has the advantage of being inexpensive but Styrofoam can easily break and therefore we don't recommend it for side floatation. Be sure that the foam blocks are attached to your boat in a way that will prevent them from floating away in case the boat is filled with water or overturned. Do not use glue for this purpose, as Polyethylene doesn't bond well with anything. Using hardware is the best solution. You can find Styrofoam boards in home improvement stores. You can find thicker Styrofoam boards that require less gluing in stores for building materials. To glue Styrofoam boards to each other the best adhesive is PL polyurethane Premium Construction Adhesive. Do not use this adhesive to glue the Styrofoam to your boat since it doesn't stick to Polyethylene (no adhesive does). You can cut the Styrofoam with a wood or metal saw, or with a large kitchen knife. You can sand it with regular sandpaper of different grits. Sand gently so as not to damage the surface, and don't use a sanding machine. You can paint the floatation modules with Latex based paint for the exterior. Solvent based paint will melt the Styrofoam. 8 feet long Styrofoam planks are sold in home improvement stores. Thicker Styrofoam planks are sold in stores specializing in building insulation materials. 4. Heat Sealed Inflatable Floatation Bags. This is a solution that's popular among whitewater kayakers and canoeists since it's lightweight. You can cut the fabric and use a hot iron for sealing. This vendor is offering to send the "How-To" information together with the fabric: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html 5. Foam Noodles. You can attach these to the boat's sides, above waterline - preferably as high as possible. The foam noodles we supply have long bungee cords in them, and they can be easily attached to the eyelets (tie downs) on side / top of the hulls. Where to attach the floatation? There are several possible places: 1. Inside the hulls' tips.
DIY
Side
floatation modules made from Styrofoam
4.
Sailing Rigs
You can sail your W
fishing kayak using many types of small sailing rigs, some of which are
commercially available as
kits. You can also make your own sailing rig. -Contact us
for additional information.
For comments, additional information and advice email: Wavewalk |
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addle holder with Wavewalk paddle
Instant Release Anchor
System
DIY PADDLE HOLDERS FOR THE 2008 MODELS, BY JEFF McGOVERN:
Brandon's instant release
anchor system for fishing big ones is a clever adaptation from a
similar, bigger system used by commercial fishermen.
Read More on the blog...
Work platform for W Fishing Kayak:Read More on the blog...
Jeff McGovern keeps finding
new ways to rig his W kayak. This time he turned a TV tray into a handy
working platform.
DIY PADDLE HOLDERS FOR THE 2008 MODELS, BY JEFF McGOVERN:
The paddle rests
above the side floatation
Jeff turned a clothes
hanger for a bathroom door into a paddle holder, and this is how it's
attached to the cockpit rim:
Just a plastic tie strap... Simply brilliant.
Jo Mares camouflaged his W kayak and now you can hardly see it...
Jeff's 'Fishing Machine' , Florida
Scott's Deer Bow Hunting W Kayak.
Note the rod holders' role as quiver.
Photo: Scott Johnson, MN
Motorized W Fishing Kayak with outriggers -
Jim McGilvray, Norfolk, UK
-"After that I took two longer trips of a few hours each, both while it was snowing"...
Jamie H, WI - See new kayak review
Paul C from CT added a RAM ball mount for a Lowrance H2O GPS unit -"Handy for when it gets dark or foggy." -See boat review
Jim P secured his cup holder by its handle to the cockpit rim, and he used Velcro to attach it and his waterproof radio to the saddle. -See boat review
Andrew's cockpit cover. A useful solution for long camping trips can can be turned into a half-skirt ('apron') for extra protection in cold and windy weather.
Photo: Andrew Kumler, OR
Jeff's 'Ole Yellow' 'W Fishing Machine'
Jo's W in Key West, FL Photo: Jo Mares
Note cooler at the bottom of the left hull.
-Click image to read story and boat review
Gary's F6 cockpit Photo: Gary Rankel, FL
Front view of F2 with W paddle - FL
Inside view of Jeff's W Kayak cockpit with a Spotted Sea Trout
W fishing kayak with custom, 10 ft long Wavewalk paddle
Gary's F6 - left side with paddle holders
Gary's F6 - left side with paddle attached for long trips Photos: Gary Rankel, FL