DIY Projects for Your Kayak

DIY Projects for Your Kayak

One of the many reasons people get into kayak fishing is its versatility. The only limitation is your imagination. Rigging your kayak is a deeply personal thing. You can tell how and what someone likes to fish for just by the attachments homemade or manufactured that they choose to fill their kayak with. It’s one of the reasons we love kayak fishing. And no matter how you rig your kayak, it will always be cheaper than a boat. In this post, we will talk you through two projects that immediately improve your control and visibility over your kayak. 


Anchor Trolley


An anchor trolley uses pulleys on either end of your kayak and allows you to move your kayak position relative to the anchor or stake-out pole. This is useful on waters with strong currents and winds. When positioned right on an anchor or stake-out pole, your kayak is more stable, and you are less likely to pull your anchor and lose position. It’s why it’s one of the first things we install on our personal kayaks. 


Tools



The Anchor Trolley Install


  1. Pick a side to install your anchor trolley on. 
  2. Open the LeverLoc Anchor Trolley kit and check that all the components are in the packaging.  
  3. Take one of the pulleys from the kit and measure from the stern in toward the center to place the pulley. 
  4. Using a marker or punch mark the pulley mounting holes onto the kayak. 
  5. Use the 1/8” drill bit to drill holes. 
  6. Put a dab of silicone on one of the 1/2” screws provided with the kit and screw it into the back end of the pulley. Do not tighten it down all the way yet.
  7. Put a dab of silicone on one of the 3/4” screws provided with the kit and screw it in the hole provided in the middle of the pulley. Do not tighten it down all the way yet.  
  8. Repeat the steps 2-6 at the bow. For looks, make sure to measure the same distance from the bow as you did from the stern.
  9. Assemble the locking lever. When assembling, make sure the flat of the lever is parallel to the flat on the face plate, and the lever leans to unlocked.
  10. Place the assembled locking lever on your kayak side in between the two pulleys. We recommend you place it where it is easy to quickly access. Ideally, next to your seat.
  11. Mark the two holes and use the 1/8” drill bit to drill through the hull.
  12. Put a dab of silicone on two 1/2” screws and attach the leverloc in place. Do not tighten down all the way yet.  
  13. Take one end of the paracord provided and thread it through the bottom of the stern pulley. Then tighten the screws fully. Be careful not to over-tighten the pulley side so it spins freely.  
  14. Continue to run the line to the level lock and place it between the lever and the flat on the face plate. There are two windows that you will see your line through when done correctly.
  15. Tighten down the leverloc plate.
  16. Run the tag end through the pulley in the bow coming down through the top. Then tighten the screws fully. Be careful not to over-tighten the pulley side so it spins freely.
  17. Bring that end back to the leverloc and thread through the D ring. Tie an overhand knot to secure.
  18. The top of the D ring fits nicely under the bottom of the leverloc plate. Place it there and make the line snug using the other end. Don’t make the line too tight. Salt water and the sun do cause it to shrink slightly, and it may become hard to operate.
  19. Cut the paracord down to length. Using the lighter, burn the end so it does not fray.
  20. Thread the tag end through the D Ring and tie an overhand knot not to secure.
  21. There are two line guides also provided. Set those where it makes the most sense by marking and drilling the holes. Be sure that the top line is in-between the two screws.  
  22. Check that everything moves freely and smoothly and adjust if needed.



The MightyMount 


Our kayaks come with plenty of rails to mount any attachment with a T-bolt. With limited space, they cannot be everywhere, and you may not want a full track. The YakAttack Mighty Mount is a single point of attachment. It can be installed anywhere in a kayak. Which makes it perfect for things like the YakAttack VISIPole. You want it on your kayak but you don’t want it in your way. 

Tools

  • MightyMount Kit
  • Phillips screwdriver 1/4” drill bit
  • Marker or punch
  • Silicone

Install

  1. Remove the MightyMount the packaging. You will have a top plate with a slot, four screws, and a backer plate with four nylon locking nuts.
  2. Place the top plate where you want it on your kayak and mark the four holes. NOTE: You will want to install the MightyMount where you can reach from the inside of the hull. Drill each hole using a 1/4” drill bit. 
  3. Dab silicone around the holes and place the top plate. 
  4. Reach into the hull with the backer plate and align it under the top plate. 
  5. Thread the screws provided loosely in all four holes first.
  6. Once all the screws are started, tighten them down securely. 


Conclusion

Over the years, companies have taken backyard-engineered solutions to problems and produced products that fill that void for fishermen. That does not mean you have to go out and buy a kit every time you need to solve a problem. With a little creativity, you can get what you need from the local hardware store and get the same results sometimes for a little cheaper. With that said, the products on the market now are a great way to quickly customize your kayak to your needs. These two projects are just an example of what you can do to make your kayak your own. 

 

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