I'm new to kayak fishing, haven't even had my yak on the water yet. Still getting it set up, thanks to guys like you and your ideas things should go a lot easier. Thanks so much
Yes you address the important issues that most of us face. I installed a kayak handle to the starboard side right where I need it. Great videos. Greetings from Boxford, MA
I used your paracord through the scupper hole hack with a slight modification for my Nucanoe Pursuit. So much difference! Gives me a better grip and some leverage to pull my yak up onto the tailgate. I love your channel!
Finally had the opportunity (need) to use the steep ramp loading method a couple of days ago. I used the C-tug to transport the Lure 11.5 down to the water, but when it came time to load I drove the truck down the ramp as shown in the video. The ramp was too danged steep to be pushing/pulling the kayak uphill on the C-tug. Made things a lot easier when loading. 👍
Steve, love the ramp idea (driving down instead of backing down). Also, putting the carabiner with rope on front to hold kayak while tilted off tailgate is GENIUS! Putting on my truck today!
I like your ideas about the load assist strap system " l.a.s.s." lol and the 2×4 idea is a winner in my book as well. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos sir please keep up the good work Thanks The Chad
@@KayakKingdom they are like $70 now and i was not convinced I need one with a 12 ft kayak. I definitely appreciate this kind of video since I have the materials in the garage already! Thanks for saving me some $$
Neat idea driving forward down the ramp, versus backing down. There's a really steep, and long ramp at a lake I want to launch the kayak at, but was concerned about the steepness. With my Lure 11.5 having the "wheel-in-the-keel" located at the stern, it sometimes (most of the time) wants to roll even on a grassy area when loading/unloading. Nifty trick with the makeshift para-cord handle through the scupper hole also. 👍
I have a Big Tuna, which I used to load on F350 equipped Thule rack about 7 ft off the ground. I bought a device that fits in my hitch, which is basically a T bar with a strap across the T in which the front of the kayak rests. This assembly will rock back toward the ground to height of about 4 to 5 ft. Once on there lifting and pushing the back of the kayak lifts the kayak onto the Thule bars once in the upright position the bar locks with a pin. Still a big job. Your tips with the carabiners and straps will make it easier. I switched to a trailer, but all of these tips still apply. especially the 2x4 connected with a cord. Keep the ideas coming. I love your channel.
I broke down and bought a Nucanoe Frontier 12 yesterday and realized how heavy it was when I loaded it by myself today at the boat ramp. I love the scupper hole handle as I load the Frontier in backwards and thats where the only 2 scupper holes are. Cant wait to get out and fish it some tomorrow and slime it up!!!
PVC rectangular frame built to your kayak support dimension needs (eliminates separation of supports and frame securing within truck bed). Place pool noodle on PVC sections running beneath length of kayak for leveling and cushioning (eliminates hard surface contact). Use wooden dowels fitting inside PVC pipe frame for strengthening, if required.(eliminates PVC flexing pass tailgate section. I also cut bungee cords in half and secured to attachment points of truck beds at the length desired to secure to kayak attachment points (handles, etc) when in loaded and centered position.
I'm glad mine only 69 lbs... Have you ever considered a hitch extended? I purchased one last year, makes the kayak much more stable and secured. One time I forgot to ratchet the kayak down, never moved. I believe a trailer would be the best option for a heavy kayak. Lower to the ground, easier to load/unload all the way around.
The cheapest and best trailer I’ve seen for stuff like this is an Harbor Freight folding trailer. With the proper design, the whole thing folds in half, stands upright, and fits in the corner of a garage. I know, because I have one. Best part, it costed me a whopping $325.
Same situation. Put a hitch bike rack that when flat covers 2 feet more and tied down from rack to kayak. Firmly secure. When not kayaking, rack serves me by carrying my bikes.
I use a bed extender to carry my Predator which supports the kayak and provides good tie downs. You made some excellent points about dealing with a heavy kayak at a boat ramp. My usual ramp isn't as steep as the one you showed but with a gentle slope I have found that pulling straight down the ramp makes it a lot easier to unload and load my kayak.
As a newbie kayak fisherman (lol) I’ve watched several of your videos, all of them great and informative. What really intrigues me is your planning and precision. I think you were a university professor in a different life. Regardless, you should definitely be dubbed the kayak fishing prof of the WWW. Thanks for sharing!
@@KayakhacksFishing Thank you for your service too. One thing about being in the "field" is you have to make do with less. Use a greater force against itself is my moto
Love the simplicity of this. I am also working on how to load and unload a heavy kayak. Mine is an Old Town Predator and it is heavy! 150 pounds loaded, 94 pounds just the hull. I never thought of the 2x4s but If I did I would bevel the ends.
Muy excelente mi amigo! Thank you for sharing. As a new owner of a Jackson Mayfly, this comes in very handy. As well, my 2001 Tundra has a shell, so I also have the challenge of crawling in to ratchet strap the front in.
Like your videos, lots of great tips and tricks. Here is a tip I hope will help; I use pool noodles on the tailgate and truck bed. They act like rollers and help stabilize the kayak in the bed of the truck. I use a ratchet tie down around the tailgate.
Great Idea on the handle through the scupper. One thing that I've noticed with the Xfactor is that it rides better in the Avalanche when I load it stern first. Need to make some type of hull support like you did, so that it can ride level.
I've been loading and unloading as you suggested. However, I have a SUV, so I bought a T bar and put heavy pvc over each side of the T so that they roll. Inside the SUV I put 2x4s cross ways of the car with bolts sticking up thru. I have wing nuts on the front inside 2x4, inside the tube. On those I put thin-walled pvc that supports about 1/2 of the boat, inside the SUV. The back of the boat is supported by the T bar. Hope this makes sense to you. Works beautifully for a SUV, but would work in the back of a truck as well. I have a locking pin on the Bar and after launch I can close the back hatch and the vehicle is secure. By the way my yak is a Hobie Pro Angler 14, so it's a hoss.
@@KayakhacksFishing it did, they also left the three blade prop in the tackle box I think on accident so lucky for me. Unfortunately they didn't do all the upgrades for 2019 like the dealer said they did, so I'm not quite sure on what exactly I'm missing out on. I liked your hack on the steering handles.
@@KayakhacksFishing Also yes I like the two blade seems very responsive, I haven't tried the three blade but seems too soft to get full advantage of the pitch.
My back thanks you:). I'm a female, 5'3 so getting my Hobie angler into my truck which sits about 36" or in my case, chest height, bout killed me every time. I could lift to my waist height but getting it up overhead by myself was killer.
I go to campsites, and pull down to the grass. That way, I can drag it to the water. Sometimes, I’ll cart it to the bank and when I’m worn out and ready to load up, I’ll have my truck by the bank, and load up quick.
I found that a rope through my handle then get in the bed of my truck and lift and pull was the easiest to load my kayak. I didn't have the strength to lift it up high from the ground, but lifting and pulling from the bed of the truck was a piece of cake!
I love your channel because you have the same kayak as me! It’s like every video with your Coosa was made for me lol. I am thinking about getting a truck to make it easier to transport. I was wondering what attachments do you leave on your yak while traveling? (Seat, pedal drive, etc).
HO-Lee-Coosa! My absolute favorite videos of yours are the ones I'm in or the one's where you mention me. **You make that shirt look awful damn manly btw. These tips were actually quite epic. I'm sure I could have easily thought of them myself if I had wanted to but why? All I have to do is watch a Kayak Hacks Fishing video and it's sort of like I'm recharging my superior brain. I could easily toss that kayak around like a toy but apparently my knees aren't so strong as I have discovered. Big thumbs up on this one.
Great video and very informative as all of yours are. I do have a question though. Since you have the Boonedox why not simply park your truck and wheel your kayak to the water rather than deal with the slope? In my opinion that would allow you to take your time getting the kayak off the truck, loading and securing your gear, tackle, coolers, etc., without feeling rushed while others may be wanting to load or unload a boat at the ramp. Not being critical actually asking if there's a reason.
Great question! I guess it just comes down to wanting to point out an easier way to unload for those who may not have wheels or are not strong enough to roll their boat very far if they do have wheels. I agree with you that loading up away from the busy launch is the way to go.
I am new to your channel, and just bought a kayak, I didn't look at all your past video's, but would be interested in how you secure your kayak to the truck bed.
Awesome Vid, 😁 i dont like bed extenders, do you like them? I all my kayaks fit nicely on the bed of my truck, most of the weight is on the bed and I just make sure it is super strapped, on long trips I put a chain and lock. Btw I'm typing this as I'm heading back to the launch spot on my motorized Bonafide 😂😂love motors on kayaks
I like watching your videos. I'm currently building a PVC camera mount and PVC light setup based off your design. I also use the tie rope connected to the truck and the front of the kayak to keep it from sliding off my T-bone rack. Question for you. I also have a Coosa FD and it has the Boonedox landing gear. Just recently, I started seeing a spot where the landing gear backing plate was starting to deform and show through the top rail of the kayak. I pulled it off to avoid further damage. Have you seen this on yours?
Ouch. I heard that was an issue on heavy kayaks, so I put reinforcement in with the initial installation. Jackson actually sells a reinforcement kit now... I had to wing it in this video - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4rG8SJ_sUtM.html You should do something like this right away - if I understand your issue.
Not to be a smarty, but I would have bought a 10’ boat with a truck that size. The other option is a full size pickup truck with a full size bed. Thank you for the excellent ideas which I will employ.
I back my truck up untill the back tires are touching the water. I then get out of truck, step on the wheel and get in the back. I then slide my 14' hobie off the bed into the water, while securing the 20' cord attached to my kayak handle. I tie it to the shore and then park my truck. I load the kayak in reverse order, but instead of lifting my kayak I use a block and tackle pulley system just to get it out of the water, then pull to the parking lot to tie it down. Happy Fishing.
Not too familiar with the weight distribution of your kayak but mine is back heavy so easier to load and drive with. I like your idea of front end drive up to launch but that would be much too awkward with back end of yak in bed of truck.
Truck/kayak get parked out of way of boats. Kayak gets loaded onto Ctug cart. Kayak is walked to ramp and nose is dunked. Roll deeper and unhook ctug. kayak now floats, ctug is thrown into kayak and jump in and go. Takes 15 seconds and no angry boaters to deal with. Boonedox extender makes loading and unloading a breeze as well. This method is the only way to go down here in south florida where the boat ramps are simply crazy.
Steve...I have a question about your anchor trolly system you installed on your Coosa...did you ever do a video? What kind of fasteners did you use...Thanks
I loud and off loud 14 pro hobie on my own on the roof off my 3inch truck on my own just using one trap cross and tide the front to the car long lead U just have to plan Ur loud and off loud before U start mate
2:55 yes, may be Steve Sharon throws your kayak like an olympian. He may not need a ramp either...I can tell you that. By the way...when you take him fishing, you go go to the nastiest and muddiest place on earth. Why you do that to him? Is a like a "full metal jacket" training session? Or is it like "the strange case of Dr Steve Moore and Mr Hyde? LOL.... Very smart video, Steve!
Yes - without a doubt since the center of gravity is forward of the wheels. To mitigate that, I have the rope through the scuppers with a grip to allow a good two handed haul. In addition, I do not haul the kayak with the heavy drive unit installed. For a long walk, I use my DIY kayak cart to support the front.
Doubtless you will have been careful not to catch your number plate, but shouldn't you have some sort of temporary plate to hang over the end of the kayak ?
Notice @3:52 how he uses his special telepathic powers to magically make the carabiner disappear from the bed of his truck into his right hand. How does he do it???
I've tried strapping the C-tug close to the stern of my Lure (to keep the raised rudder mechanism from digging into the ground/blacktop) before taking it completely off the truck, but due to the taper at the stern the straps slip off. I could probably add something in the rear gear track that protrudes above the track to stop the straps, but haven't pursued it any further.
It's basically the same process except the stern will scrape on the ground. To protect it, put a doormat underneath it as you lift the front onto the truck.
Launching my AirVolution inflatable kayak from a high dock is tricky. I finally figured it out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bMlqVDl2FnI.html
Audio: At the beginning of the video, you sound like you're in a closet. Improving that, would improve your sound quality. More Subscribers because you will sound more professional. Just trying to help !!! Keep the videos coming.
