New Vessel - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TCS · 08-11-2020, 08:27 PM

Well my kayaking brethren, I’ve transitioned from pedal power to four stroke. Even though this is a kayak site I thought I’d share how I went about it. We’ve all thought about it...

Went up to the Pacific Northwest and bought a ‘91 Livingston 14 Runabout.

TCS · 08-11-2020, 08:34 PM

This boat was a barn find. Note the Merc 35 2 stroke. Not running. Stinky. Loud.
I opted for a new Suzuki 30. Delivered to my garage and installed myself. Re-did the floors. Moved the console to the center. Ditched the 60s style windshield. Added a kodiak 14 gallon bait tank and rod holders.

TCS · 08-11-2020, 08:40 PM

I’m really happy with how it came out. I made two runs offshore with it to the 9 and then just west of the Coronados . Found tuna but no biters. Been to LJ a few times as well. Added bilge pumps, sonar and gps etc.

TCS · 08-11-2020, 08:43 PM

I still have my revo 13, but don’t think I’ll use it much. For road trips I guess.
25 mph top speed fully loaded @10 mpg.
I can pee standing up.
Offshore potential, especially on a nice fall day when the tuna are close.
Will make a good Baja boat.
Fits in my small garage.
Launch from mission bay.
Can buy bait if I’m lazy or for offshore.

NICKWORN · 08-12-2020, 07:47 AM

I was checking these out before the Solo Skiff idea. I like the Caliboogies too, nice find, looks good!

Tandem Assassin · 08-12-2020, 09:30 AM

Bravo my friend - great build!

dniss · 08-12-2020, 04:17 PM

Congrats on your purchase and build! I have the 15.5 and love it. Enjoy!

Salty · 08-12-2020, 08:05 PM

No shame in added comfort and extra leg room! Nice setup

Ggiannig89 · 08-12-2020, 09:26 PM

Rad boat! I have a Calibogie but also looked into the Livingston’s.

surfshotmoto · 08-12-2020, 10:04 AM

Love the twin hull!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

summers in kuwait · 08-12-2020, 12:45 PM

Stoked!!!

These are amazing boats and perfect for inshore and some offshore outings.
Very jealous!

This would be my choice if I ever got a boat!

Congrats and Cheers on the new boat!

SoCalEDC · 08-13-2020, 12:16 PM

Hell yea. Looks fishy alright. that hull design looks like it should handle some pretty big swell.

chris138 · 08-13-2020, 04:31 PM

Sick build, ready to slay!

TCS · 08-14-2020, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the comments.

It goes really well in the chop for a 14 foot boat. Doesn’t really pound like a small whaler. Nice and stable too, so two guys can stand on the same side and not feel tippy. That being said, it’s really best as a solo fishing machine. Feels a little crowded and a little heavy with two guys, bait etc. I go 25 mph solo and 20 mph with a passenger in fair conditions.

The bait tank works great. The intake water is diffused as it enters and the bait swims really easy.

I’m looking forward to lobster season, maybe some night time WSB, and halibut bounce balling, all which I didn’t really do in the kayak. And tuna of course.

The project cost has been pretty reasonable, for a boat. I’m into for about $13k including the trip to buy it. Over $5k of that was the motor. The motor is outstanding though and I’m really happy I got it. Turn key = engine on. Not too loud. Efficient. Everything but the hull is new.

If you see me in LJ give a wave and we’ll compare notes.

PapaDave · 08-14-2020, 06:48 PM

You could tow your kayak to areas that are out of reach normally.

Sdspeed · 08-14-2020, 07:06 PM

Anybody wanna go back upto the PNW?
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...gpr14-3700379/

08-11-2020, 08:43 PM	#4
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	Benefits I still have my revo 13, but don’t think I’ll use it much. For road trips I guess. 25 mph top speed fully loaded @10 mpg. I can pee standing up. Offshore potential, especially on a nice fall day when the tuna are close. Will make a good Baja boat. Fits in my small garage. Launch from mission bay. Can buy bait if I’m lazy or for offshore. Last edited by TCS; 08-11-2020 at 08:56 PM.

08-12-2020, 07:47 AM	#5
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	Badass I was checking these out before the Solo Skiff idea. I like the Caliboogies too, nice find, looks good!

08-13-2020, 12:16 PM	#12
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	Hell yea. Looks fishy alright. that hull design looks like it should handle some pretty big swell. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

08-14-2020, 06:48 PM	#15
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Nice job... You could tow your kayak to areas that are out of reach normally. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

08-12-2020, 09:30 AM	#6
Tandem Assassin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 290	Bravo my friend - great build!

08-12-2020, 04:17 PM	#7
dniss Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 77	Congrats on your purchase and build! I have the 15.5 and love it. Enjoy!

08-12-2020, 08:05 PM	#8
Salty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 433	No shame in added comfort and extra leg room! Nice setup

08-12-2020, 09:26 PM	#9
Ggiannig89 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Cajon Posts: 512	Rad boat! I have a Calibogie but also looked into the Livingston’s.

08-12-2020, 10:04 AM	#10
surfshotmoto Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 41	Love the twin hull! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-12-2020, 12:45 PM	#11
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	Stoked!!! These are amazing boats and perfect for inshore and some offshore outings. Very jealous! This would be my choice if I ever got a boat! Congrats and Cheers on the new boat!

08-13-2020, 04:31 PM	#13
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	Sick build, ready to slay!

08-14-2020, 03:26 PM	#14
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	Thanks for the comments. It goes really well in the chop for a 14 foot boat. Doesn’t really pound like a small whaler. Nice and stable too, so two guys can stand on the same side and not feel tippy. That being said, it’s really best as a solo fishing machine. Feels a little crowded and a little heavy with two guys, bait etc. I go 25 mph solo and 20 mph with a passenger in fair conditions. The bait tank works great. The intake water is diffused as it enters and the bait swims really easy. I’m looking forward to lobster season, maybe some night time WSB, and halibut bounce balling, all which I didn’t really do in the kayak. And tuna of course. The project cost has been pretty reasonable, for a boat. I’m into for about $13k including the trip to buy it. Over $5k of that was the motor. The motor is outstanding though and I’m really happy I got it. Turn key = engine on. Not too loud. Efficient. Everything but the hull is new. If you see me in LJ give a wave and we’ll compare notes.

08-14-2020, 07:06 PM	#16
Sdspeed Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 732	Anybody wanna go back upto the PNW? https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...gpr14-3700379/