SOLO SKIFF PROGRESS THREAD

[tak100]

Thanks for sharing guys. Giving me lots of great ideas.

Mine is supposed to be shipped this week, crossing my fingers.

[FISH11]

Took my Solo Skiff out to Mission Bay to put a few hours of break in time on the outboard motor. Launched at Dana Landing around 3:50 pm and headed out to the Jetty cause I wanted to see how it would handle with the swell going out and coming in. Going out was a piece of cake, coming back was fun learning the behavior of the Solo with a following sea and large boat wakes. It took a few minuted to get used to sitting so high. Kayak fishing the last 7 years, I never had a kayak were you are so far above the water. After getting used to the sway on the swell and large boat wakes. Coming back in was fun when I could match the swells coming in . It was almost like surfing. Tried slowing down to see the reaction to the swells passing and how that changed things. Took a couple bass rods to troll while motoring, but the speed was faster then was good for trolling, because the break in process was what the main point was. There were a lot of tourist on rental boat, pontoon boats and sit on Jet Skis. Bottom line I had to holler at several that didn't think the 5 mph buoys were for the entire channel areas. They are oblivious to the fact that all other boats are going slow (what should I have expected, it's Summer time). Anyway it was fun to take it out on it's maiden voyage and escape the 90+ degree weather up at my house for this last week. As I expected trying to load it back on to the truck bed and extender was not as easy as the unloading it by myself. Had to remove the motor first because my truck is high enough that the bed extender was still 18"-20"above the water with my rear tire in the water up to the rims. Once the motor was off lifting the Solo onto the bed extender was easy. The seat is awesome, great support and I could brace my feet on the front part on the deck and I used the bow attached rope to hold on with my right hand when bracing for going through the choppy parts and large swells. All in all the Solo is SWEET.. Have to make a couple more trips to finish the break in, then I'll concentrate on the fishing. Did not have any problem with any water getting inside. The live well worked good, but I might use a 12v battery, because the flow in a little slower than I would like. I think the length from pump to aerator has a lot to do with it. Still have to cut out and install the deck mat material I bought.

[NICKWORN]

She does take a second to get used but when ya do its a super stable platform.

How you like that seat all the way offset?

[Sdspeed]

What's the thought behind the offset of the seat vs. centered?
Is everyone running 6hp motors and is it needed or could a 4-5hp work ?
thx

[FISH11]

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

She does take a second to get used but when ya do its a super stable platform.

How you like that seat all the way offset?

It is good because it's just even with the side edge of the hatch and slightly over the front edge. I used some of the time the tiller extension and it would just clear the back to turn left and was just in the perfect spot to just rest my left elbow when going straight and not need to have my left arm behind me. The seat is AWESOME! It's very comfortable and as you said saves your back and core, plus the rotating base makes it easy to change body position and even turn around while still sitting. Also love that the rotating base makes the seat removal so easy.

Originally Posted by Sdspeed

What's the thought behind the offset of the seat vs. centered?
Is everyone running 6hp motors and is it needed or could a 4-5hp work ?
thx

I've seen videos of guys using trolling motors on the back or 2.5 and 3.5 hp motors. But whats the point of the lesser hp. The price is about the same and without the extra hp it would be harder to control is rough water. The offset on the seat is because if you see video of guys not using a seat, they are almost sitting sideways with the feet on top of the gunnel. They are trying to brace their body, but fighting being balanced. I saw a couple guys using a rope from the bow and thought that's a great way to help brace on choppy water or surf and I made it long enough to help when loading or unloading to keep it from getting away from you, because of any current. Here is a short (64 seconds) GoProQuick video of the going out the Mission Bay Jetty to test out how it handled rough, choppy water and reaction to following seas.

[FISH11]

Just finished putting on some deck mat material. Bought a large sheet and cut out the pattern I wanted. I think that's probably the last accessory I want to put on it.

[NICKWORN]

The first trip out I noticed my outboard jumped over a half in on the left side, so I loosened and repositioned it. Went on google and end up making this.

Two screws in the notches and some permathane SM7180, she ain't going anywhere now. I use that blue rubber tie down to keep the handles secured to one another.