Desperate Times - Desperate Measures!

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

If necessity is the mother of invention, old age is its maiden aunt.  Since I have put almost 75 years behind me, I have found that entrance to and egress from my venerable Pelican Catch 100 involve just a little too much excitement for my liking. My first approach was to follow the example set by @A-Jay and get into shape.  I bought a couple of five-pound weights to begin … and discovered they are more suitable as kayak anchors.  (Besides!  Round is a perfectly fine shape for some of us.)

 

Having quickly (and painfully) established that any modifications to be made were going to involve my kayak and not me,  I decided to “pimp my ride”.  The below pics show my attempt to convert my kayak into the aquatic equivalent of a wheelchair.

 

1.  First is the original yak.

2.  Then I removed the seat.

3.  I cut two lengths of pipe to fit the notches for the original seat and used pipe brackets to secure them to a piece of 3/4” plywood that had been cut to fit between the gunnels.

4.  I bought a seat, quick release, swivel, and 7” pedestal and mounted them to the plywood base.

5.  I added a pair of outriggers.  Note that the initial position is forward of the seat because the outrigger Railblaza mounts fit into existing tracks. (Outriggers came with all necessary hardware for mounting to the hull about anywhere you want.)  After trying this cob job out I may relocate them aft of the seat.

 

The result is comfortable and stable … on dry land anyway.  No paddle interference if I’m using proper form. Inclement weather prevents me from trying the thing out on a local lake.  ( Mebbe the weather is trying to tell me something.) If it works, I’ll let you know.  If it doesn’t,  @Glenn, please delete this whole thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I obviously edit pics about as well as I fish spinnrtbaits

Edited September 11, 2023 by GrumpyOlPhartte
Too many foul-ups to list.

[A-Jay]

Here's to staying safe out there.

A-Jay

 

[padlin]

It’s like when you realize you need to add safety rails to the shower.

 

Whatever it takes.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@A-Jay:  Eight and a half years riding submarines taught me safe … like only walk on the flat parts of the deck; them round parts will get ya every time.

 

@padlin:  you figured out my next mod!

[PaulVE64]

Sweet

[Bird]

Hey, at 75 and scrambling for mods on a young mans boat, your doing something right ?.

 

[GaryH]

Nice job… 

[Bazoo]

Cool idea. I hope it works to perfection for you. I bet it'll be super stable with those outriggers.

[Bankc]

Nice work!  And good job on keeping at it and finding a way to make it work instead of giving up!  

 

You know, one of the greatest indicators of longevity leg strength.  Specifically, being able to get up off the ground under your own strength.  Upper body strength is nice, of course, but it's really leg strength that determines both the quality and length of your life.  Losing leg strength causes you to lose your balance, which increases the odds of a fall.  And we all know how deadly falls can be to the older populations. 

 

In other words, I'd worry less about body weight and working out with dumbbells and focus more on exercises that strengthen your lower body and legs.  Not only will that help you with balance and getting into and out of your kayak, but it's also one of the most important things you can do to increase, not only the length of your life, but the quality.  

[WRB]

Since you raised the CG above the gunnels and added the outriggers to stabilize the kayak when seated my question is;

How do you get in and out?‍♂️

Be safe getting old isn’t for sissy’s?‍? 

Tom

[Darth-Baiter]

isnt there a lot of "moment" at the connection points for those outriggers?  "moments" is eng-speak for rotational load for the most part.  you have them cantilevered.  (i cannot enlarge your pics to be sure - so apologies if i am seeing it incorrectly).

 

wouldnt it be better and stronger to mount the outriggers on a single long pole so it spans everything?  and i would move them closer to where you are sitting.  with the seat raised, the seat is another cantilever trying to rotate the entire mass.  

[Bankc]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

isnt there a lot of "moment" at the connection points for those outriggers?  "moments" is eng-speak for rotational load for the most part.  you have them cantilevered.  (i cannot enlarge your pics to be sure - so apologies if i am seeing it incorrectly).

 

wouldnt it be better and stronger to mount the outriggers on a single long pole so it spans everything?  and i would move them closer to where you are sitting.  with the seat raised, the seat is another cantilever trying to rotate the entire mass.  

Probably a good idea.  Especially with the seat being that high up.  

 

Or sell it and get a Bass Raider, seeing as how that's kind of what you've created.  

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Update on the geriatric kayak project:  Trial run was a qualified success.  Figured it would be. Anyone considering pontoons as the cure for what ails ya should be prepared to invest some time on the water before loading up your fishing gear!!!!
 

I stayed dry … so that was good.  Rig was way too wobbly due to a couple of factors;  the length of the lever arms created by the stabilizers applied too much leverage to the gunnel mounted tracks causing an extreme amount of flex in the mounts, and the height of the seat, while comfortable, was not necessary.  I can probably lower the seat (COG) a few inches.    The swivel seat alone made getting in and out much easier.

 

The stabilizer arms were incredibly strong - I only tried them extended at right angles to the OSCL.  The angle at which they can be installed is adjustable;  may not need them sticking out 30 inches to accomplish my objectives.  The issues addressed by @Bankc and @Darth-Baiter were readily apparent as soon as I launched.  The idea of some type of cross member is being pondered as I speak, er, type.

 

Back to the drawing board to resolve the two issues, keeping in mind my goals.  

 

Note to anyone questioning the sanity of this project. I went into this “cold” with no idea of what to expect so I started by bolting on the parts and “refining” as I went along.  All testing is conducted wearing a life jacket in water with a max depth of two feet.  I may be getting senile, but stupid hasn’t kicked in … yet.

 

One further comment to @Bankc:  if you think the logistics of the stabilizers is challenging, just imagine the logistics of sliding a 48-inch wide Bass Raider into a Subaru Forester with a 37-inch wide hatchback.  ?

[Bankc]

That's how to do it, in my opinion.  Try something and learn from it, then try something else.  I've had several failed kayak experiments that lead to better ideas.  

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I know everyone is waiting with “baited” breath for progress reports on this goofy endeavor so here is another update.  Had to realistically review my objectives and focused on the first - be able to get from a seated position to a standing position so I could get in and out of the thing.  In my case that involves raising the seat.  If I can get my feet under my COB (Center Of Butt) I have no problem. If my feet are in front of my body mass I have difficulty even with the aid of a stand-assist strap. But I don’t need a seven-inch pedestal.  Turns out all I need is two and a half inches.  Making that change lowered the COG enough to improve stability considerably (and did wonders for stepping in and out of the yak).  Next I have to deal with the outriggers, specifically the mounts. Just too much flex imparted at the original track mounts.  I’m no @MN Fisher, but this project is a hoot!  Now about that aluminum channel I found in the garage …

[Darth-Baiter]

sounds like you need to find an aluminum pole that fell out of the back of the pool cleaner's truck!!

 

haha.  

[padlin]

EMT would probably work, especially if you have access to a bender.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Well, the geriatric kayak mods are complete (for now) and while it may not be beautiful, here it is after my first successful venture out to fish.  The bass weren’t impressed, but I was.  I lowered the seat, put an aluminum brace across the gunnels, and realigned the seat strap to hold the seat down.  
 

The cheap seat was an issue, but by adding a couple of bolts with washers and nuts, I managed to make the seat back adjustable.  The thing actually provides decent lumbar support.

 

I was going to add this to the “Getting Older” thread but today I turned 75 and figured this is proof enough that it’s not yet time for me to give up fishing!!!

 

 

 

[A-Jay]

Happy Birthday ~ !  

Hope you have a Great Day.

A-Jay

 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@A-Jay:  Thanks … and any day I can still go fishing is a great day!

[Will Ketchum]

Very impressive. Time for a patent.

[Eric 26]

@GrumpyOlPhartte ps the seat modifications look great 😉

[GaryH]

Happy Birthday Grumpy…🎂 your project turned out great..

[Boomstick]

Very nicely done, way to make it work for you