Tarpon 100 Part 3 - Fit out
Jul 11, 2011 5:28:17 GMT -1
Post by empee on Jul 11, 2011 5:28:17 GMT -1
The Tarpon 100 doesn’t seem to be available as an ‘Angler’ model, they start at the 12’ Tarpon 120, so first on my list was some rod holders.
I’d ordered the SlideTrax Dashboard mount with the yak (see pics) which would accommodate the fish finder and a couple of surface mount holders so the only drilling for now would be for the two rear flush mounts.
2 mounts from H2O cost about £12, but unfortunately don’t come supplied with a template (or gasket to use as one) so had to make my own. A template is a must in this instance as the holder is a close fit in the moulded space provided for it – and no way to check position without first drilling the hole! (Although you could offer it up ‘upside down’)
Used a cereal packet for the template - Marked and cut the round hole for the base of the holder first, then trimmed the hole until the cardboard would lay flush against the underside of the flange – then marked and cut out around the flange, and marked the bolt holes.
The template then allowed some experimentation to get the optimum position before marking out and cutting the kayak. (Put that bit off as long as I could!)
Using the template method does mean that there is no centre point to permit the use of a hole cutter, so after marking out the oval for the hole I just drilled holes around its perimeter and then used a small file/burr in a Dremel type tool to join them all together and smooth the edges. I erred on the cautious side and finished up with a hole too small for the holder but it was quite easy to then gradually enlarge it with the Dremel until the holder would drop through and sit flush onto the deck.
Marked and drilled holes for the rivets (Used the ones from H2O that incorporate an O ring and silicon sealant) and checked it all dry before finally assembling on a generous bed of silicon sealer.
Next came the anchor trolley.
I used the ‘Watertrail’ kit, which includes all you need – 2 harken blocks, rope, fittings and fasteners.
Assembled all the parts first and then positioned and attached using ‘Blue Tack’ to check alignments and route of rope (As much for cosmetic as functional reasons). Final positioning turned out not to be critical so just lined up with the existing graphics and fittings.
Once happy marked and drilled the holes and installed the blocks using the supplied ‘Well Nuts’ – a sort of threaded collet set in a rubber flange – pushes into the hole then expands inside the hull as the bolt is tightened into it. Works really well.
Last was the cleat - a simple job to attach to the Slidetrax rails. (Pic to follow)
With the fish finder and remaining rod rests all going onto the Slidetrax ‘Dashboard’ that left only the transducer and it’s cable to install.
The biggest problem with the transducer was getting all the old silicon off from it’s installation in my previous kayak – then just ladled on a fresh load of silicon and carefully positioned as far back as I could reach into the forward hatch. Weighted down and left for 24hours.
Now came the hardest part – deciding on the hole for the cable! There’s nowhere to do this that follows any existing line or moulding so I ended up drilling the smallest hole possible in the centre of the moulded recess at the forward end of the footwell. The hole is just large enough to fit the in-line fuse connector and I still haven’t found a suitable cable gland to finish the job! (Pic to follow)
With the number of people who have had to find their own solutions to this problem one would think the manufacturers would have at least managed to source a suitable fitting for the job – there can’t be that many different finder cable plugs in use! Maybe this is why they still seem big on ‘over the side’ transducer arrangements in the US?
Will add some pics of the fully assembled ‘Dashboard’ once I get home but meanwhile here’s a couple of 1st outing in Anglesea (you might just make out Mark 300mph on the horizon) and family holiday last year to Bayonna in NW Spain.
Martin
I’d ordered the SlideTrax Dashboard mount with the yak (see pics) which would accommodate the fish finder and a couple of surface mount holders so the only drilling for now would be for the two rear flush mounts.
2 mounts from H2O cost about £12, but unfortunately don’t come supplied with a template (or gasket to use as one) so had to make my own. A template is a must in this instance as the holder is a close fit in the moulded space provided for it – and no way to check position without first drilling the hole! (Although you could offer it up ‘upside down’)
Used a cereal packet for the template - Marked and cut the round hole for the base of the holder first, then trimmed the hole until the cardboard would lay flush against the underside of the flange – then marked and cut out around the flange, and marked the bolt holes.
The template then allowed some experimentation to get the optimum position before marking out and cutting the kayak. (Put that bit off as long as I could!)
Using the template method does mean that there is no centre point to permit the use of a hole cutter, so after marking out the oval for the hole I just drilled holes around its perimeter and then used a small file/burr in a Dremel type tool to join them all together and smooth the edges. I erred on the cautious side and finished up with a hole too small for the holder but it was quite easy to then gradually enlarge it with the Dremel until the holder would drop through and sit flush onto the deck.
Marked and drilled holes for the rivets (Used the ones from H2O that incorporate an O ring and silicon sealant) and checked it all dry before finally assembling on a generous bed of silicon sealer.
Next came the anchor trolley.
I used the ‘Watertrail’ kit, which includes all you need – 2 harken blocks, rope, fittings and fasteners.
Assembled all the parts first and then positioned and attached using ‘Blue Tack’ to check alignments and route of rope (As much for cosmetic as functional reasons). Final positioning turned out not to be critical so just lined up with the existing graphics and fittings.
Once happy marked and drilled the holes and installed the blocks using the supplied ‘Well Nuts’ – a sort of threaded collet set in a rubber flange – pushes into the hole then expands inside the hull as the bolt is tightened into it. Works really well.
Last was the cleat - a simple job to attach to the Slidetrax rails. (Pic to follow)
With the fish finder and remaining rod rests all going onto the Slidetrax ‘Dashboard’ that left only the transducer and it’s cable to install.
The biggest problem with the transducer was getting all the old silicon off from it’s installation in my previous kayak – then just ladled on a fresh load of silicon and carefully positioned as far back as I could reach into the forward hatch. Weighted down and left for 24hours.
Now came the hardest part – deciding on the hole for the cable! There’s nowhere to do this that follows any existing line or moulding so I ended up drilling the smallest hole possible in the centre of the moulded recess at the forward end of the footwell. The hole is just large enough to fit the in-line fuse connector and I still haven’t found a suitable cable gland to finish the job! (Pic to follow)
With the number of people who have had to find their own solutions to this problem one would think the manufacturers would have at least managed to source a suitable fitting for the job – there can’t be that many different finder cable plugs in use! Maybe this is why they still seem big on ‘over the side’ transducer arrangements in the US?
Will add some pics of the fully assembled ‘Dashboard’ once I get home but meanwhile here’s a couple of 1st outing in Anglesea (you might just make out Mark 300mph on the horizon) and family holiday last year to Bayonna in NW Spain.
Martin