SOLO SKIFF PROGRESS THREAD - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FISH11 · 07-04-2020, 07:30 AM

Thanks for the invite. Yeah, large holiday weekend are deadly. I'm almost done with the installs. Still need to register it and get CF#s. Nice picture of the first fish on the Solo Skiff. Solo Skiff looking SWEET!

NICKWORN · 07-04-2020, 12:26 PM

I wanted to see where my seat would go, so I fished without it Friday, slightly forward and offset just a hair.

Milk crate has two rod holders and makes securing the gas tank a breeze, plus a little storage for tools or what not. Not sure if tiller will hit the poles, but didn't really make a bunch of sharp turns so we shall see tomorrow, also holding off on tiller extension until I ride with my seat tomorrow. Had to notch top and bottom, bottom for transom and the top due to the motor hitting at full tilt.

NICKWORN · 07-07-2020, 06:44 AM

My buddy Fabian whipped up this quick video for he and Nelsons maiden voyage. You can see me cruising right next time to him at times, almost as if we are racing, probably were

https://youtu.be/H6TXqcROVlY

The video inst kinda poor quality not sure why, maybe cause its a link of a link, either way.

Harry Hill · 07-07-2020, 08:04 AM

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

FISH11 · 07-07-2020, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

My buddy Fabian whipped up this quick video for he and Nelsons maiden voyage. You can see me cruising right next time to him at times, almost as if we are racing, probably were

https://youtu.be/H6TXqcROVlY

The video inst kinda poor quality not sure why, maybe cause its a link of a link, either way.

The quality on the U-Tube video is 240p at the highest (that is poor quality level even for cell phones. Most likely it was in the settings when it was uploaded. Even 480 is bad (in my book) I try to use 720p or higher but it takes a lot longer to upload. Still looks like fun on a hot day. I'm almost done setting mine up. Had a change of plans on how to mount a few accessories. Also with the amount of people watching U-Tube they have been automatically lowering the quality setting when there is heavy use and even good quality video get down graded while watching by U-Tube. That part really pisses me off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

The outboard already has a kill switch with a leash, that is meant to attach to the driver, during engine use. I believe all Tiller motors come that way. Falling off is why they would do that. If the user forgets to attach the leash, the boat would keep going. Using the leash, if you fall off, it will pull out a small safety spacer on the kill switch. That shuts off the motor.

Harry Hill · 07-07-2020, 09:16 AM

I haven't bought a new engine for a long time, they never used to have kill switches on them, one of the reasons so many fisherman drowned when out by themselves in small boats. I guess I should have known that in todays world that would be required.

FISH11 · 07-07-2020, 09:20 AM

I had a change off plans on how I wanted a few accessories installed and that has taken a little longer, with having to re-think options. I changed how I wanted the transducer mounted, because I wanted it to not only be able to move out of the way for transport but also be able to kick up in case of hitting an object. So I ended up making my own braket, that also didn't put any holes on the hull below water line. The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller. I also decided I wanted them removable and use Mighty Mount XLs, for a cleaner deck when not using them. Stupid cell phone it's rotating the pictures.

NICKWORN · 07-07-2020, 11:52 AM

[QUOTE=FISH11;308887] The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller.

Yep, totally stealing that idea!

Just need to see if they would interfere with my H-Rail Hobie rod holders, i dont think so depending on placement. I may just attach a 3-pack to the outside of my milk-crate, the tiller never reaches that far as making too sharp of turns is going to end with you in the drink. I really kept an eye on my turning angles Sunday with my two rod holders inside the crate, one was for the gaf and the other for an extra rod, never came close to hitting them.

NICKWORN · 07-07-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

I attach this to my ankle and the kill switch, allows me to move about freely but if tossed over it will kill motor. My buddy went over 2x on Sunday, learning curve, gotta learn to roll with the swells and throttle in and out, confidence is earned with time on water!!

NICKWORN · 07-07-2020, 11:56 AM

We all noticed a little water in our Skiffs, Google revealed the rod holders, similar to the PA tend to let water in if you get swamped or reverse to fast. Skiff made to allow all water to flush out of the stern. So I found these and plugged em, gonna paint black.

The reason the rod holders suck is the pole and reels are exposed to the salt water if you take on water.

I also found alot of eel grass in my intake impeller, solved by using a kitchen drain mesh stopper.

NICKWORN · 07-07-2020, 11:59 AM

That's why i love these platforms, comes naked, allows for each individuals unique take on what they want.

#personalizedskiffs

Motor finally completed its 10hr break-in, gonna change oil and lower gear oil and smashed out to LJ this weekend!

TIME!!

07-07-2020, 06:44 AM	#3
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	Quick video My buddy Fabian whipped up this quick video for he and Nelsons maiden voyage. You can see me cruising right next time to him at times, almost as if we are racing, probably were https://youtu.be/H6TXqcROVlY The video inst kinda poor quality not sure why, maybe cause its a link of a link, either way.

07-07-2020, 08:04 AM	#4
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

07-07-2020, 09:16 AM	#6
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	I haven't bought a new engine for a long time, they never used to have kill switches on them, one of the reasons so many fisherman drowned when out by themselves in small boats. I guess I should have known that in todays world that would be required. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

07-07-2020, 11:59 AM	#11
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	Never ending customization's That's why i love these platforms, comes naked, allows for each individuals unique take on what they want. #personalizedskiffs Motor finally completed its 10hr break-in, gonna change oil and lower gear oil and smashed out to LJ this weekend! TIME!!

07-07-2020, 11:52 AM	#8
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	[QUOTE=FISH11;308887] The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller. Yep, totally stealing that idea! Just need to see if they would interfere with my H-Rail Hobie rod holders, i dont think so depending on placement. I may just attach a 3-pack to the outside of my milk-crate, the tiller never reaches that far as making too sharp of turns is going to end with you in the drink. I really kept an eye on my turning angles Sunday with my two rod holders inside the crate, one was for the gaf and the other for an extra rod, never came close to hitting them.