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07-05-2013, 06:31 PM | #1 |
Junior
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Pacific Beach
Posts: 22
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Kayak Ballast Weight
Are any of you fishing solo from a tandem yak? I have a tandem Hobie Outfitter and am comfortable in it by myself cruisin around the bay but curious as to how it reacts trying to break through the surf and in the swells. I am wondering how much weight is needed in the front to balance it out enough to perform somewhat normal?
I was thinking of putting a 5 gallon camp shower bag up in the front cockpit. Filled that will weigh around 42lbs. Looking for any pointers or ideas. Thanks Phaen |
07-05-2013, 09:05 PM | #2 |
WildernessWanker
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Lancaster, CA
Posts: 345
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I'm wondering the same thing myself. I have a tandem Tarpon that I can ride in the middle solo, but then my gear is so far in the back. I would think it advantageous to ride in the back, but it's slower and doesn't feel like it handles as smoothly. Is it preference or is there a correct way to go about it?
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07-05-2013, 09:23 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 428
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there's been other post here also about this topic.. no clear "right" answer. Some people sit up front. I was thinking of trying this on my Hobie Oasis. The only issue is the rod holders, and my current fishfinder config. I was thinking of sitting up front, and having my bait tank on the floor in back, right above the rear mirage drive hole. I'll drop the inflow tubing down that hole.
Likewise, if I decide to stay in the rear seat, which is what I'm most used to when I kayak with my son, I'm considering putting my bait tank in the front seat for ballast. My tank can hold up to 8 gal, which is almost 72lbs! That'd be plenty of ballast up front. I would have it facing back, so I would reach forward to get bait out of the tank. I'd also like to hear people's thoughts and advice on this. Right now, when I go solo in the back, with the bait tank behind me, my bow is way up and there's a ton of hull slap. I usually decrease my bait tank to about 4-5gals just to lessen the weight and the water sloshing around back there. |
07-06-2013, 07:49 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 789
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I fish in a Cobra tandem, and have for ever, all I have ever know.
Its a very stable platform, but to each there own, :cool
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07-06-2013, 08:33 AM | #5 |
Junior
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Pacific Beach
Posts: 22
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Do you use any type of weight in the front Jim?
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07-06-2013, 07:22 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 1,470
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When I had my cobra tandem thats exactly where I had my seat and it was stable no ballast needed.
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07-06-2013, 09:54 PM | #7 |
Junior
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
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I have a hobie oasis and what I do is take an empty four gallon ice chest. If the wind and swell picks up I fill it with sea water and put it as far forward as I can. That really seems to help. I wouldn't want to use anything that's not easy to fill and empty quickly. I haven't tried it with my live well but I think I'll just set it to not fill as high as usual. Besides, it would only really be an issue on long moves when you pick up speed, not while fishing. I wouldn't really need it at all but I like to move fast through the white caps on the way back in, it's kinda fun.
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07-06-2013, 10:03 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 428
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Quote:
That's a great idea! And, the ice chest would also be handy if you catch a lot of fish for ballast. I've also heard some people keep a large dry bag, that they can fill with a few gals of sea water quickly for ballast. That might be easier to pack and deploy if needed, like in the wind/swell situation you described. |
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07-07-2013, 04:40 AM | #9 | |
Junior
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Yeah, that would be better because a bag would mold itself nicely to the bottom and your center of gravity would be even lower. I have been known to keep a few celebratory alcoholic beverages in that cooler which were eventually replaced with fish! |
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07-07-2013, 07:54 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 789
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No ballast ever needed. With all the gear an such,, plus your fish will need some room below, :-)
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