Many have written: The fun is not all in buying a yak, it�s rigging it! This is my first
yak intended to be used in small bodies of water & the upper Neches river. I don�t intend
to install electronics, I�ve got them on my bayboat. The outrigger design came from:
http://www.lunceford.org/fishing/yakrig.html who used electrical conduit metal pipe. I used
schedule # 80 gray pvc pipe found near the in-ground lawn sprinkler section of
hardware stores & home improvement stores. The pvc is flexible when bumping
into stumps etc. Much of the installation work was done with �K�s� help across the street.
All the metal used is stainless steel. All attachments have a drop of Goop underneath them
to keep out water. Notice the U bolts are angled in to help hold the pvc cross piece
in place. I purchased another set of U bolts & installed their plates underneath to provide stability.
The U bolts also provided a connection to be able to lock the yak to the top of my vehicle or lock it
here at the house. Originally, like the example above, I had the outriggers 90 deg out.
I�ve since used two 45 deg connectors to move them back. They still function well since
I don�t intend to stand up and fish out of the yak Installation of the outriggers
is simple � they are in two sections � just run the left section�s cross piece through both U
bolts and connect it to the right section with one pin. K used his doorknob drill bit to drill the
wide holes for the rod holders & then widened the holes with a regular bit so they would fit.
Fishing rod straps are designed from backpack/lifejacket straps & snap connectors. My anchor
system is simple � 4 cleats, (2) 25 ft rope sections, and two anchors. Anchors can be tied off at
any cleat. The Harmony Dashboard tackle tray has been modified. I cut off the original tackle box
platform and installed the bungee cord that holds in the tackle box on the front of the
Dashboard. It originally extended too far into the cockpit interfering with my spinning reels.
I�ve simply used two nylon-plastic nuts & wing nuts (colored black) to attach the Dashboard
to the front of the cockpit. I would install the rubber paddle holders last. The white stern
light fits into one of the rod holders. Since I sand bass fish in Feb-March I�ve found that wearing
Frog Togg rain suit pants are great. I mostly get wet from fish splashing me. Good luck in rigging
your own yak ! The Ledbetter Legend.

I like it!
I also have a "budget" level yak.

I love to see any "options" that can be added to these.

Thanks.

Great job L.L.,

Great tips and pictures, thanks for sharing.

Great job and super pics LL. Although I have a toon I like seeing how people are rigging their yaks and other personal fishing vessels. I wish more people would post theirs.

Nice work. Thanks for sharing. Motivates me to start modifying my currently "stock" yak.

Nice Ride, I've been looking at these. Do you think this yak would be OK for someone 6'2" and 215lbs?

admire your ingineering. clean & functional. have you figured up how much you have invested total?

.

I'm 180 lbs so a little more should be ok.
Check the specs.

I've been thinking that someone could use the
bigger boat bumpers and bring them closer to the yak
for the same or better stability.

Total invested - Shop Academy for as many or the parts
as possible. Cleats $1.95 vs. $ 3.25 other places for example.
Part of the cost is the stainless steel nuts & boats.
The Dashboard sells from $39-$59. Outrigger system
was about $65. Total maybe $150-170. "K" across the street
helped me lay out & drill most of the add ons.

The Ledbetter Legend

.

and that pvc dose not break when you stand up ?

.

I only stand up while getting in & out. My outriggers
are more for peace of mind. I just don't worry about
tipping over - concentrate on fishing streams, small
rivers, and small lakes. They are helpful when trying
to pull up a 5 lb anchor wedged in roots.

The Ledbetter Legend

.

My �U� bolts are 17 �� apart, angled inwards, and adjusted up & down to provide
a somewhat snug fit of the cross piece. Cross piece is 25�, wings are 16�, stubs are
5�. When the assembled, the unit sits on a level surface, the cross piece is 5 � to 6�
above the surface. You might add � to 1� on all of the pvc pipe measurements.
Use a marker to mark where you want to drill. The 45 deg connectors were
the standard white pvc spray painted black with Krylon paint for plastic. Strive
to have the floats ride tilted with only their back 3� skimming the surface. Cutting off
a � in and re-drilling the holes in the stubs may be necessary after a trial run to get the
floats to run in/above the water the way that you want them to ride. Take a marker
with you on the trial run. Screw or cement the pipes in place. At one time I thought that
I wanted the system to be locked and ridged so it would not move up or down. �K� across
the street said that the first thing that the floats want to do is to float. The current design
works for me & it has survived many light encounters with brush & stumps. Good luck, have fun.

The Ledbetter Legend.

And that same light is on clearance at Wal Mart (in San Antonio at least) for $9, regular $25.

Nice work, Ledbetter.