Weighting down the bow. . . - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

DanaPT · 09-03-2012, 09:49 AM

Figured to share an observation.

I've been fishing from a very stable malibu x-factor.

When the wind picks up and the swell/wind chop is at the nastiest. . . paddling into the wind in not fun. Every paddle over wave/wind chop, boat wake, (you get the idea). . . results in the hull of my kayak getting blown off track and seems like the kayak is getting pushed back-wards.

I've been experimenting with weighting down the bow and have been very happy with adding a 20lb kettle bell into the front hatch.

This extra weight keeps the bow down in the water where I believe the kayak tracks better. As I get moving... momentum keeps me moving. ALso, when drifting the extra weight seems to help with a slow-er drift.

I'm sure there are drawbacks but so far, I've not encountered any. It does add an extra 20lbs, but it hasn't created problems. Even in a surf launch, the weight in the hull cuts through the wave as I punch through.

Figured to share something that works for me. I hope it helps you too.

09-03-2012, 09:49 AM	#1
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Weighting down the bow. . . Figured to share an observation. I've been fishing from a very stable malibu x-factor. When the wind picks up and the swell/wind chop is at the nastiest. . . paddling into the wind in not fun. Every paddle over wave/wind chop, boat wake, (you get the idea). . . results in the hull of my kayak getting blown off track and seems like the kayak is getting pushed back-wards. I've been experimenting with weighting down the bow and have been very happy with adding a 20lb kettle bell into the front hatch. This extra weight keeps the bow down in the water where I believe the kayak tracks better. As I get moving... momentum keeps me moving. ALso, when drifting the extra weight seems to help with a slow-er drift. I'm sure there are drawbacks but so far, I've not encountered any. It does add an extra 20lbs, but it hasn't created problems. Even in a surf launch, the weight in the hull cuts through the wave as I punch through. Figured to share something that works for me. I hope it helps you too.