Manta Ray 11 Mods & Tips
Jan 15, 2011 15:43:51 GMT -1
Post by gerryw on Jan 15, 2011 15:43:51 GMT -1
As ever, we get bored out of season so freezing conditions permitting it’s usually time to do a bit of work on the yak. In my case I had only just got it late in the season so now was the time to catch up on the things I needed as well as the ‘nice to have’s’.
Rear Hatch
The standard Manta 11 does not have a rear hatch but it does have a decent size rear well. I don’t believe in cutting holes in the bottom of the well as no matter what the claims of hatch manufacturers between their product and my skill there usually lies a leak.
However, I needed to get access to the area under the seat and around the rear scuppers so I could do a better job of mounting the rear rod rests and most importantly I wished to have the fishfinder transducer under my bum. That way I know exactly where the fish are….unless my bum scares them off!
Having measured and re-measured I settled on a 100mm hatch from Ebay (£5 incl postage)
cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-100mm-BLACK-ROUND-PLASTIC-DECK-HATCH-BOAT-RIB-YACHT-/300505272086?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item45f7828f16
This size fits neatly to the rear of the seat leaving about 5mm at the bottom and 10mm at the top for clearance and positive positioning.
I cut the hole with a Dremel after marking it out carefully and since I had access I used 5mm s/steel bolts and captive nuts to secure it in place. Between the hatch and kayak went a good dose of Sikaflex which loves to stick to polyethylene - and my hands. You’ll know when you’ve got enough on ‘cos it goes through the holes, all over the rear, binds to the screws and the spanners and hands and tools too! Secured tightly it works a treat and gave me the access needed to fit the transducer exactly where I wanted it – out of the way but accessible.
Don’t choose a screw hatch like this if you want quick access on the water, though. They are notoriously difficult to turn to open and on the water just plain impossible. But they are watertight and in this instance it doesn’t weaken the rear structure of the boat. Also remember to tie the cover on so as not to loose it when it’s open. I used s/steel stranded wire as I had some left from making up pike lures. It’s springy, strong and can be hooked through anything to secure it in a rust-proof way.
Rear Well
Just behind the rear hatch is the rear well. It is large and practical but the bungees provided by the manufacturer are at best just enough to do the job and at worst useless. By adding two central hooks and lengthening the bungees they now work a treat. I had to replace them anyway as the originals were shot from too much sunlight (what here in the UK?) as it had been stored outdoors.
The hooks were 25p each and are veeeery secure as they are made from nylon. These are far superior and cheaper than the rip-off small hooks sold as being suitable for kayaks. They are intended for use on frame tent and boat awnings are available from tent outlets or chandlers.
Access is improved and tie-down more secure as a result.
Rear Well Box
I am not a fan of taking too much offshore with me. Partly because I’ve learned that I just don’t use it when I’m out and secondly because it weighs a ton and makes my job of paddling that bit harder. What I do have though is a system where I can store my fishfinder, vhf radio, anchor and leashes in one box whilst at home which when I get to my venue and all these things are in place then becomes a useful store box for grub etc fitted in the rear well.
Quite often a milk rack is used or you can spend ages just to find the perfect sized crate. Well, for the Manta user the answer is the 9 Litre Really Useful Box from the Really Useful Box Company (surprise, surprise). They cost roughly £5 and can be got from a number of stores including Staples and Makro. They come with a clip on lid (by virtue of the blue twin handles) and are see through so you can locate things easily.
The beauty of this item is that it is an exact fit within the front section of the rear well behind your seat and beneath your bungees on the Manta. A perfect solution for me as can be seen from the pics – and because it is as low as the yak the sidewind pressure is no more when at sea.
Fishfinder Placement
We all have our favorite locations and mine is shown here. When I got the yak it had already been rigged out but the vendor removed his f/finder before the sale. He had it situated between his feet on the top of the channel with footrests either side. For me this was a liability as I would surely smack it with my feet in a capsize and it was just too far forward and out of reach. My solution was to move it forward to the front face of the channel. Exactly at arms length, out of the way for re-entry as it’s low and very much easier to see in sunlight. And I can still get my tackle box beneath it (read that as you will
)
In case you are wondering it is a Lowrance M52 combo fishfinder/GPS which has a very narrow plug that fits through a B&Q 95p gland or the Manta’s scupper holes (if you want a temporary fit)
So that’s it hope that gives you some ideas and assistance – we just need the weather to pick up and we’re off. No doubt there’ll be much else to do soon. There always is!
Cheers
Gerry
Rear Hatch
The standard Manta 11 does not have a rear hatch but it does have a decent size rear well. I don’t believe in cutting holes in the bottom of the well as no matter what the claims of hatch manufacturers between their product and my skill there usually lies a leak.
However, I needed to get access to the area under the seat and around the rear scuppers so I could do a better job of mounting the rear rod rests and most importantly I wished to have the fishfinder transducer under my bum. That way I know exactly where the fish are….unless my bum scares them off!
Having measured and re-measured I settled on a 100mm hatch from Ebay (£5 incl postage)
cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-100mm-BLACK-ROUND-PLASTIC-DECK-HATCH-BOAT-RIB-YACHT-/300505272086?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item45f7828f16
This size fits neatly to the rear of the seat leaving about 5mm at the bottom and 10mm at the top for clearance and positive positioning.
I cut the hole with a Dremel after marking it out carefully and since I had access I used 5mm s/steel bolts and captive nuts to secure it in place. Between the hatch and kayak went a good dose of Sikaflex which loves to stick to polyethylene - and my hands. You’ll know when you’ve got enough on ‘cos it goes through the holes, all over the rear, binds to the screws and the spanners and hands and tools too! Secured tightly it works a treat and gave me the access needed to fit the transducer exactly where I wanted it – out of the way but accessible.
Don’t choose a screw hatch like this if you want quick access on the water, though. They are notoriously difficult to turn to open and on the water just plain impossible. But they are watertight and in this instance it doesn’t weaken the rear structure of the boat. Also remember to tie the cover on so as not to loose it when it’s open. I used s/steel stranded wire as I had some left from making up pike lures. It’s springy, strong and can be hooked through anything to secure it in a rust-proof way.
Rear Well
Just behind the rear hatch is the rear well. It is large and practical but the bungees provided by the manufacturer are at best just enough to do the job and at worst useless. By adding two central hooks and lengthening the bungees they now work a treat. I had to replace them anyway as the originals were shot from too much sunlight (what here in the UK?) as it had been stored outdoors.
The hooks were 25p each and are veeeery secure as they are made from nylon. These are far superior and cheaper than the rip-off small hooks sold as being suitable for kayaks. They are intended for use on frame tent and boat awnings are available from tent outlets or chandlers.
Access is improved and tie-down more secure as a result.
Rear Well Box
I am not a fan of taking too much offshore with me. Partly because I’ve learned that I just don’t use it when I’m out and secondly because it weighs a ton and makes my job of paddling that bit harder. What I do have though is a system where I can store my fishfinder, vhf radio, anchor and leashes in one box whilst at home which when I get to my venue and all these things are in place then becomes a useful store box for grub etc fitted in the rear well.
Quite often a milk rack is used or you can spend ages just to find the perfect sized crate. Well, for the Manta user the answer is the 9 Litre Really Useful Box from the Really Useful Box Company (surprise, surprise). They cost roughly £5 and can be got from a number of stores including Staples and Makro. They come with a clip on lid (by virtue of the blue twin handles) and are see through so you can locate things easily.
The beauty of this item is that it is an exact fit within the front section of the rear well behind your seat and beneath your bungees on the Manta. A perfect solution for me as can be seen from the pics – and because it is as low as the yak the sidewind pressure is no more when at sea.
Fishfinder Placement
We all have our favorite locations and mine is shown here. When I got the yak it had already been rigged out but the vendor removed his f/finder before the sale. He had it situated between his feet on the top of the channel with footrests either side. For me this was a liability as I would surely smack it with my feet in a capsize and it was just too far forward and out of reach. My solution was to move it forward to the front face of the channel. Exactly at arms length, out of the way for re-entry as it’s low and very much easier to see in sunlight. And I can still get my tackle box beneath it (read that as you will
)In case you are wondering it is a Lowrance M52 combo fishfinder/GPS which has a very narrow plug that fits through a B&Q 95p gland or the Manta’s scupper holes (if you want a temporary fit)
So that’s it hope that gives you some ideas and assistance – we just need the weather to pick up and we’re off. No doubt there’ll be much else to do soon. There always is!
Cheers
Gerry
