Anybody got any good ideas on how to build stabilizers for a kayak? I've got a plan on how to build the extensions but I'm trying to figure out what material would be the best for the flotation devices. Any help would be appreciated. I priced out a Scotty set up and it was around $280.00. Trying to do this for way less than that.

scotty 302 for $180. I buy all my stuff from MVO. Great company.

Link here

I made a stabilizer out of boat fenders for my first yak. worked great and diddnt slow it down any that I could tell.

Fish diddnt seem to notice it LOL.

This may be a dumb question, but do stabilizers make a huge difference?

Thanks 4X4forever! I was thinking boat fenders would make a good stabilizer. I like the design of yours. Great idea!

http://paddlershideaway.com/KAYAK-CANOE-OUTRIGGERS-OR-STABILIZERS-STAND-UP-AND-FISH-P424627.aspx

i like 4x4's too. also think the further out they are the more stable they are.

I am trying to buy just the floats - know where to get just them? I can build the rest. I thought that kayakfishingstuff.com had them, but their web site catalog has been dead for over a week.

why would you need stabilizers? I never needed them.

You can find the floats at West Marine. they are called boat fenders.

I need them for when I go duck hunting in my yak. A little more stability would be good with my dog in the yak.

oh. If your bringing a dog you should get a larger kayak like a ocean kayak malibu two or a X factor. Having a dog on a small kayak would be crowded. Unless it was a chihuahua.

I want the conical floats like on the Scotty ones - I believe they can be bought separately. I have already made pontoons out of a large pool noodle, but would like a bit more bouyancy.

Why? I want to stand up in my kayak when sight-fishing for reds on the coast. I want it to be stable enough to pole through the flats. Sitting down makes the sight angle too shallow to see what I need to see for sight fishing. And this is in areas too shallow for my bay boat - I use it to get the kayak to the areas where I fish.

Your right! I've got an Old Town Ambush. Its 44" wide and roomy enough for my dog and I.

Try spray foam in a 2 liter bottle then spray paint and duct tape them to the side of your kayak or zip-tie them to pvc similar to 4x4forever's rig. I just used the empty bottles duct taped to the sides of a SIS a few times in a pinch and they worked great. I'm pretty tall and SIS kayaks suck for me because, well, I'm a clutz.

even with the boat bumpers on that speck I wouldnt be able to stand in it. You have to be a small guy and in a large kayak to be able to stand. They do make kayaks with live wells and standing platforms though.

http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_stealth_12.asp

this kayak is very stable also (cobra fish and dive)
http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/cobracat4.html

Ive seen shane (yaknyota) stand on his kayak
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/angler_editions/malibu_two_xl_angler.html

you can use electrical conduit also. The Leadbetter Legend has a post in here showing how he rigged hs Pelican. Haven't buildt mine yet, but it looks it ought to work well.

here is a website: http://www.lunceford.org/fishing/yakrig.html

Thats a great idea! That will help me stay in my budget.

thats a barge! 44" is huge.

I still paddle but this trolling motor increases my distance quite a bit. It is big but it tracks really well and has a really good glide. I used to paddle a Wilderness systems Pamlico. It was really quick. The ambush is a little slower but I can paddle it a comfortable 3 mph.

Old Town Ambush - thats a cool boat, I dig the clean lines and HUGE WEIGHT
http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/huntingFishing/ambush.html




and as a second thought..

the phrase "kayak stability" is an oxymoron ...

idinit ?

Thats true... I can stand up in the Ambush and I'm 6'3" 225, but its like standing up on a surf board. Ok its not quite that bad but its close.
Thanks for posting the pic, I've been trying to find one. but couldn't locate it.

Peter2,
I ripped a pair of 2X2's to go across the top of my canoe; they attach to a 4' length of 4" thin-wall PVC pipe, very light weight. I closed up the ends with 4" caps and PVC glue. It makes a one-sided outrigger which sits about 2 feet from the boat. I made it height adjustable with carriage bolts and wingnuts, and you can adjust the amount of drop-down from inside the canoe, on the water. Cost was under $20.
PM me if you want me to shoot some pics your way.

.

Here is a picture of my outriggers.
This size PVC pipe can be temporarily repaired with
Standard Hose Mender (plastic/nylon) 1/2" barbs & pvc
cement from Tsupply or other hardware stores.

Details at a prior TFF post:
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ckl#Post4313879

.

Thanks Leadbetter Legend! Very nice work!

[quote=Peter2 I still paddle but this trolling motor increases my distance quite a bit. It is big but it tracks really well and has a really good glide. I used to paddle a Wilderness systems Pamlico. It was really quick. The ambush is a little slower but I can paddle it a comfortable 3 mph.
[/quote]


Don't you have to have that thing registered with numbers and such if you run a motor on it?

If not, then I am getting me one with a trolling motor too!!

Don't you have to have that thing registered with numbers and such if you run a motor on it?

If not, then I am getting me one with a trolling motor too!! [/quote]
You do have to have it registered. Below is a pic...

Bummer! Thought I was gonna be home-free with a motorized boat without the hassle.

Oh well.