Malibu
Pro Explorer
is a sit on top kayak, designed as a stable fishing platform.
All the modifications here will apply to the Malibu
Extreme and others of this type. The PE is laid out to be easily modified by the owner for the conditions unique to
fresh and saltwater fishing. It can be fished side saddle and is easy to reenter
if you fall off. The bow cuts through waves when going out instead of riding
over. A little wave slap at the bow is it's only irritation. The PE will glide through shallows that the paddle grounds out in. 5 mph is approximately the PE's
flank speed. I recently bought a new paddle from ONNO
Paddle . It is very light and well built. Blade flutter was not noticed and
power is is transmitted with more efficiency.
The PE is approximately 52 lbs, and 12'6" with a 32" beam. The modifications to this boat include a trolley line for the drift sock, a Scotty Triple Mount, and a 5 gallon bucket bait tank based on Quietman's design
.
Remember to hit the refresh for
the latest update
The Bait Tank
Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge!
The two tank straps that come
with the PE are run from the two stock deck loops (pad eyes) beside the seat to where the handle enters the
bucket. Ball bungees run from the aft stock deck loops to the handle and then back
around the ball for a rock solid hold. This forms a nice place behind the seat
for the waterproof box. At the end of the day, unhook the bungees, throw
everything inside and hook the tank straps together for carrying. The old handle
doesn't work with this lid for carrying.
Clear tubing was used for a clean look and to spot problems.
The tubing is pushed in the bucket and the barbed fitting is pushed on. It is
then backed so the barb is half out, this forms a very tight seal. A little
leaking is no problem.
The lid for this tank is a toilet seat made for 3.5 -7 gallon
buckets. This Cabelas
product snaps down easily and keeps frisky bait from aerial escapes. The
lid is designed to be used with a plastic bag liner normally. It's a crappy
design but it works very well!
Another option is
an Gamma
Bucket Seal on a bucket to create a waterproof container that can be
outfitted with pvc rod holders. This will work like a milk crate
The Trolley Line
The drift sock ready for easy deployment
This is based on Dirty
Dave's design. Deck loops were installed fore and aft. Reflective
Night Lines (this is also sold by Perception) make up the running lines.
Night Lines are are highly reflective and will help the kayak be seen in the
dark. The 50' length of line in one package was cut in two and
then a 12 inch piece was cut off of each line. Use a lighter to fuse the cut
ends. The 12 inch pieces are doubled over and an overhand knot is made. Run each
one of these through the fore deck loop and make a larks head. Run a short ball
bungee through the aft deck loops. The running lines are run through stainless
steel pulleys and tied to a Fastex triangle. Use a stainless steel carabineer
to connect to the ball bungee and then stretch it forward to the short line and
hook up.
When you unhook the trolley, put the two carabineers together and double up the
lines, do it again, then make an overhand knot with the lines. This will prevent
tangles.
A carabineer connects a 5 meter line to a Cabelas
drift sock. This one has weights and a float that makes it open up
immediately.
The Scotty Triple Mount and Fish Finder
Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge!
This project slowly evolved as
parts were acquired. The Eagle Fish Easy
2 was first installed with a 1/4 inch piece of nylon cut to the shape of the
base and then velcroed to the deck. Next the Scotty fish finder base and a flush
mount were installed. A
Scotty Triple Mount is the last incarnation. A set of adjustable feet at the
ends of the beam to stabilize it will be the next upgrade.
The puck for the fish finder was installed by cleaning the
surface with alcohol and fine wet-dry sandpaper. A ring was cut from a foam cup
coozy. Marine Goop was applied to the uncut edge and with the puck inside
it to give it the correct form, it was set in place. After it set up the puck
was pulled out and goop was slowly put in the ring and the puck was put back.
Duct tape held it in position for two days till it cured. Before launching a
squirt of water in the ring helps assure good signal if any gaps are present.
A hole saw just large enough for the fish finder lead
connector to pass through was used to made the opening for the waterproof
connector. Two holes were drilled in a crutch tip and then cut on one side to
pass the leads through. Marine goop was used around the leads and crutch
tip and then it was pushed into position. More goop was applied on the
inside after two days curing had passed. After one year of service the old
crutch was removed to lengthen the leads. The goop came off nicely.
Lexel is another adhesive designed for polyethylene that had excellent stick
except that some people hate it when it needs to be removed
To protect the leads during travel, covers were made. Clear
film canisters allow any moisture to be seen. A hole is drilled in the lid and
then it is cut from the hole to one side. It is placed around the lead and the
canister snapped on.
Waterproof multi-purpose lube #64-2326
from Radio Shack is used to prevent corrosion and help the connectors to come
off easily. A split cable cover was put around the leads for a finished
look, but this could hide salt so it should be carefully cleaned. A spray bottle
of Salt-X properly diluted helps clean up this problem.
The leads are bungeed to the Scotty base for travel.
PVC Kayak Stand
A very simple stand for working on the kayak is made out of 2 1/2" PVC. The connectors are not glued. Instead of drilling and using bolts for the legs, a simple lashing works fine. 2" webbing and Fastex buckles form the cradle. The legs on one of the rectangles are longer than the other so they would nest flat.
Running down the Road
The Night Lines stand out in the flash late in the day
The kayak is
carried backwards and extends behind the trucks. This is very aerodynamic and
rides secure. With a fluorescent flag attached this has run thousands of miles
through the USA and Mexico with the only problem being in Mexico City. This
problem is solved by just avoiding it! 50cm beyond the rear bumper was said to
be the point where excess dimension would require special flagging in Mexico.
Remember this was what one official said and is subject to interpretations.
A heavy cable runs through the aft scuppers and around the
rack with a heavy lock. The large A hatch is against the rear rack and
helps prevent launching during hard braking. Straps are next run over the kayak and tied down.
The back windows gas struts will not hold the back glass up
with the bow of the boat hanging down.. A heavy piece of rubber tubing slit and
cut to the length of the strut piston will support it nicely. It pops outs
easily if it is forgotten.
Wal-Mart sells a monster pool noodle in fluorescent orange
with a center hole that goes on the Yakima rods if it is slit on one side. It is
thick enough that it would probably raise the PE up to be bow forward. One
noodle cut in two and shoved aft provides buoyancy, prevents tackle boxes from
sliding too far back and helps prevent hull deformation from the straps.
Removing the center hatch makes it easy to pick up and place the kayak on top. A
step stool tool box placed next to the truck also helps.
The Little Things
Accessible
deck loops that are bolted on can be backed with another deck
loop inside the kayak to make handy points clipping down
items so they won't shift around.
1/8" shock cord with the ends fused make cheap leashes
for everything. Make an overhand loop on one end to run through deck
loops or around rod holders and then make a larks heads,
this can then be tied to the pole.
Cable ties with the eye make a good attachment point on
fishing poles for leashes. They also make good hook holders on fishing poles.
A red marker was used on the side of the kayak for a handy
measuring device. A frisky fish might not cooperate here, but it will also help
in measure out leaders
and snells.
A pvc cap with the same diameter as the tube of a Scotty
flush mount and gooped on keeps the mount waterproof.
Malibu
sells a very nice stainless steel take down cart. Look in the misc. If you want
to make your own cart
take a look at these
Power Wheels.
Unless you are petite, get a cushion for under the seat. It
will help keep your butt dry and the edge of the hatch won't dig into your leg.
A scupper plug will help out in the seat well.
A pair of handles at the midpoint would help with reentries.
They would also help in loading. The Malibu handles that were bought for this
may be scrapped for some that lay flatter and won't bang your hand while
paddling.
People who works the shallows carry a pair of golf poles with
the heads cut off, to put through the scuppers. With two poles you can control
where you are facing. The poles would work better than a paddle in the skinny
water a PE can glide through.
A line attached to the A hatch would help to retrieve it if
it slides off in open water when accessing the interior. The front Fastex buckle
keeps it attached but there is no need to do heroics to get it back in position.
Keeping it Cool
The Sam's Club cold bag is a great soft cooler for very little money that folds down very compact. Folded and placed inside the center hatch to one side it keeps a water bottle cold and handy. It can be pulled out, filled with fish and placed behind the bait tank or in the front A hatch. The bags of ice substitute will take up very little space when it is folded flat.
Fishing Mexico
The Dawn Patrol
Coming Soon
More Info
These are just some of the great places for
information and help.
http://www.yakfishing.com/board/
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/
http://www.kayaksportfishing.com/wwwboard/
Bite Me