My Cuda DIY projects

Trolley system -CDE ANCHOR TROLLEY WITH HARKEN CHEEK BLOCKS ATK-1HZ from http://www.captdick.net

Fish Finder � Humminbird 650
Battery Box setup - http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-238/Battery-Box-Complete-Power/Detail

I attached the Battery box right under my seat using a piece of clear corner trim from Home Depot and heated it to close it to where it would act like a track to slide the box in and out when I want to remove it. It was too close of an area to put down Velcro because I couldn�t pull upward. I glued two pieces to the box and two pieces to the bottom of the kayak. As it turns out it worked perfectly. To keep the box from sliding front to back I crimped the ends and it held it in place. What�s really cool about the box location is it helped add weight to the bottom center for balance.





I decided to mount the FF to the right side instead on the center console, mainly because I didn�t want to fight the wires every time I opened it. Plus laying the FF over on its side every time I open the cover wasn�t very Appling to me..lol

I also ran the transducer through the front scupper hole and mounted it with goop.

The trolley system is one I have used before that has the reflective line to see at night. I upgraded it a little from the last time, by attaching loops to slide the tie side and keep it below the handle area, and also added a ring holder to keep it in place. Also I added the tie down cleat on the inside in front of the chair.
Also in this first photo you will notice I Modified �Rod tip cover
I removed the bungee setup on the front so that I wouldn�t get my lure�s hooked in it, it was like a magnet to my lures.
What I did was removed the front bungee holder/loop or whatever you call them and add nylon j-hooks so that if I did decide to have the bungee to hold gear I can add it back on. I used a 2 part epoxy to make the rod protectors permanent and pop riveted the two areas in the center that looked like it already had rivets.



Cleat location

Rudder tie down �
Found out the bungee hook that comes with the rudder doesn�t hold it when transporting. So What I did was take a small bungee cord that has the double hooks on it that you can buy just about any place. I cut one end off and feed it through the eyelets of where the handle is attached and then tightened it down just enough to hold it in place then added the nylon eye hook, and attached the bungee hook and pulled the slack out of the other side then cut off the extra bungee and then tightened.

Tackle box stager
Found a bungee cord that would wrap all the way around the outside of the scupper hole molds that reach from upper deck to the bottom hull and as it turns out they hold them in place perfectly, without any mods to the yak.

Earth Magnets
Adding Earth magnets to the Cuda, worked out like a charm.
I pulled these out of a bunch of hard drives I had at work. I used to use them in my wood shop to hang my tools. One day I had a brain storm to see how they would work in the Cuda.
Attached you will see they have more than one purpose. Not only will they allow you to hold items in place on the underside of the lid but also on the top side.


I use one on each side also to hold my tackle boxes in place. What you can do is either add a piece of metal or another magnet to the tackle box and you�re ready to go. Keeps everything in place when your fishing.

Adding a livewill to the Cuda

I picked up a bag from the Container store after looking every place to find something like a plastic tray to fit, so ended up there.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop?prod ... e+duo+bin+

It�s a very hefty bag with a ruff surface on the inside and heavy plastic liner on the outside.
I added two more magnets to each side of hatch to hold bag in place better then
Glued all the seams with goop to seal the bag and then turned it inside out and added sheet metal strips to the inside top edge. Once dry I added it into hatch area and voile just like magic, it holds in place like a charm.
I then added a portable air pump that holds two D size batteries. I picked that up at Academy. You can either hang it on the side of the bag or apply a sheet metal strip to the back to hang off the hatch cover.



That�s it for now Enjoy.

You got some great ideas! Thanks for sharing them. I recently bought a Big Tuna and am in the pondering stage of what to put where. Thanks again!

Nice setup Don't forget a picture of the chain that you welded up for a drag chain, I'm stealing that idea also the next time I get the welder out.

Dude, nice! Thanks for sharing, this is some good stuff.

Very nice,clean set up

Very nice! Are you going to have your cuda on display at GTG?

Yes it will be there. looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Good stuff!

I like the magnet idea. Thanks for sharing.

The tranducer goes up through the scupper hole, I like that idea. How do the wires run to the F.F., through the hull?

I ran it along the foot peg rail on the underside and sealed it with Goop so that it wouldnt move and never had any issues.

I now use a Mad Frog Liberator setup and put a 3" scotty flush mount and plugin for the FF in the old location. So that I can pull the FF off to use on my Hobie'
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=6490

Like your thoughts, keeps it clean very nice