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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 09:24:00 AM

Title: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 09:24:00 AM
Here is a bow rack for my kayak that i came up with.Made from an adult erector set(1/2" PVC).I plan to try it out on thursday and search for hogs.I will let ya k (http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0522120907.jpg)now how it turns out.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 09:24:00 AM
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0522120908.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: gregg dudley on May 22, 2012, 09:30:00 AM
Great topic! I have been thinking about building one as well.  That is a neat design.  Let me know how it paddles.  

The design I am playing with will mount longways on the front.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: stiknstringer on May 22, 2012, 09:44:00 AM
Just bought a kayak and was thinking of that very same thing.Mine is a sit-in type also but didn't want to keep my longbow in the hull.I'll probably mount mine long ways also.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: huntmaster80 on May 22, 2012, 09:53:00 AM
very cool!!!
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 09:54:00 AM
i thought about going long way too and i might build it if my limbs get caught on brush.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: sore fingers on May 22, 2012, 10:21:00 AM
That looks good. You should be able to hit some great spots with that setup.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: ron w on May 22, 2012, 10:30:00 AM
Great job...that should work out fine!! Let us know what you think after to put it to the test!
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Forrest Halley on May 22, 2012, 10:50:00 AM
Looks really cool. The only thing I see missing is tie down straps.  Kayaks roll by design and maybe bows float, but with quivers? I had a bad experience with a fly rod in a kayak once. Thank God it was a spring loaded reel and I got it back easily.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 12:46:00 PM
I hadn't considered that.Imagine the sinking feeling!
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: wooddamon1 on May 22, 2012, 01:14:00 PM
That looks good!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: White Falcon on May 22, 2012, 05:24:00 PM
Any closeups?
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: awbowman on May 22, 2012, 05:44:00 PM
In Louisiana, you wouldn't be able to afford to exceed the width of the yak. lol

I'd mount it longways, straight in the middle and lay it on it's side.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 05:57:00 PM
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0522121739.jpg)
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0522121739a.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: gregg dudley on May 22, 2012, 06:39:00 PM
Did you glue those caps on?  You could easily make a rod holder for trolling with a couple of 45 elbows and probably an adapter to get the pipe size up a little.   You would have to turn the rack like it is in the bottom picture to point the rods towards the back.  Then you would have a combination trolling rig and bow holder.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 22, 2012, 07:02:00 PM
Good idea gregg...i do have some rod holders though, i just have to install the base for the rod holder into the yak
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: PaddyMac on May 22, 2012, 07:04:00 PM
That looks good. And then just bungee it onto the rack. I am interested to see if it's out of the way of the paddle. Looks like it.

  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Guru on May 22, 2012, 07:53:00 PM
thats cool!
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Hopewell Tom on May 22, 2012, 08:00:00 PM
"The adult erector set." Good one. I'm looking at that and wondering about a bow holder for my mountain bike. Gotta get some pvc and give it a go.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Night Wing on May 22, 2012, 09:14:00 PM
Nice setup.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NIGEL01 on May 22, 2012, 09:57:00 PM
for carp fishing out of mine i just use industrial velco and stick it where i want it
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Mark Normand on May 22, 2012, 10:07:00 PM
Ah always good to see some kayaks.

I just slip mine lengthways under the gear bungies on the front deck. And tie a small rope or twine in case I flip LOL.

Sometimes I've had a small Windwalker lockon and 3 sticks on the back deck.

Kayaks are fun! Hope u succeed!

 (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eDQiCibxGCQ/TbmbYADLgPI/AAAAAAAADWc/VT01kOWZ8g8/s640/IMG_0348.JPG)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Covey on May 22, 2012, 10:19:00 PM
Very cool, love the kayaking! The new Hobie's are awesome but very expensive!

Jason
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Mark Normand on May 22, 2012, 10:29:00 PM
Covey I have a Hobie Revolution pedal drive kayak too, but I probably wouldn't take it hunting. LOL
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 23, 2012, 08:07:00 AM
My first time out with my kayak I paddled up onto these hogs.Its tough to tell by the picture but they were only about 15yds from me.Tomorrow I will get to put my bow rack to the test and see if I can spot some hogs from the kayak.It's against the law to shoot from the kayak so it will be a spot and hop out and stalk scenario.

(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0206121113a.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: gregg dudley on May 23, 2012, 08:45:00 AM
Get 'em, man!
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: D. Key on May 23, 2012, 08:49:00 AM
Great job.  My only question is; How will you transport the hogs once you kill one?  Do hogs float and do you drag it behind the kayak?  Or do you strap it onto the top and float it out?  Option #2 seems a bit risky of tippage.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 23, 2012, 09:18:00 AM
Thats what i was wondering too.I'm going to bring some butchering knives and if it's a large hog I will quarter it and stowe it away in the dry compartment.If its a smaller hog I will try floating it or strapping it to the kayak.I also have the option of returning with my johnboat.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Pope Co. on May 23, 2012, 11:27:00 AM
I was dragging a fish basket behing my yak a couple of weeks ago. And that was tough enough. Dragging a hog would be a workout.

I bet you could strap a small one across the top if your on flat water. Centered and balanced of course.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: darin putman on May 23, 2012, 11:45:00 AM
thought about an inner tube making a trailer but dont know how good it will work.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: bansheewins on May 23, 2012, 11:58:00 AM
That is awesome and what a way to get up on them quietly.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Weasel on May 23, 2012, 05:47:00 PM
I've been meaning to do the same thing.  I'm thinking of making a rack that would slide down into a couple of Scotty rod holding mounts.  That way I could use it to either hunt or fish out of.

Jerry
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 23, 2012, 07:38:00 PM
Thats a good idea weasel I have the Scotty rod holders too
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 24, 2012, 07:11:00 PM
Well I tried out my creation today.It went very well but as some of you had suggested a rack the long way would probably be more suitable in swamps or tight water spaces.Here is what my rig looked like

(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524120715.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 24, 2012, 07:18:00 PM
I went on a hog hunt this morning but as most hunts are they dont always go how you would anticipate especially when you are trying something new.It turns out the rain that we had in SC the last couple of days was alot more than i thought it would be.I got a good workout this morning and after an hour of paddling against the current I decided it was time for a different tactic so back to the launch I went.
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524120644.jpg)
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524120713.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 24, 2012, 07:27:00 PM
I lifted the kayak back to the roof rack and headed down the road to the wma...I hunted hard in 85 degree weather and walked well over 5 miles looking for hogs.All the usual wallows were under 4 or 5 feet of water and the places where i found fresh sign I found no hogs so my hunt turned into a good scouting outing.lol
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524120741.jpg)
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524121422.jpg)
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0524121439.jpg)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Stone Knife on May 25, 2012, 06:45:00 AM
Hey that looks pretty sweet Damon, good luck with the hogs.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: TSP on May 25, 2012, 09:18:00 AM
Thinking outside the box, great pics, thanks for sharing.  It proves that hunting isn't only about taking critters, there's just a few more things to do before you get there, lol.  Looks like you're having fun with the 'getting there' part.

Given any thought to covering the aluminum part of your paddle grips?  I've noticed that when watching other kayakers the grips do 'flash' a bit.

A good read.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: iron_llama on May 25, 2012, 12:18:00 PM
Do you hit the bow with your paddle?  I've gone bowhunting out of my solo canoe a few times and I always leave the bow in a partially-unzipped soft case lashed to the thwart in front of me.  It works out well for my application.  In Minnesota you can shoot out of any watercraft that doesn't have a motor, so kayak and canoe hunting are perfectly legal.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Brock on May 25, 2012, 12:41:00 PM
That is why I like my canoe or a sit on top kayak for hunting...but you can always field dress and bag and put in front hatch....or bring truck inner tube and a little CO2 cartridge refill setup and then float behind you....or lash it to top like you would any other equipment...field dress to save weight....just watch for the gators following the blood trail as you chum all the way home.  :)
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Dave Bowers on May 25, 2012, 08:16:00 PM
very cool...gives me a great idea for the weekend   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: NOMAD88 on May 26, 2012, 01:01:00 PM
I like the inner tube idea brock.
I didnt hit the bow with the paddle but I did elbow the rack a couple times but only because I was paddling so hard against the current.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Interseptor on May 26, 2012, 01:57:00 PM
Damon, got two questions for you.  That is a pretty recurve you got.  What kind is it?  Also, can you hog hunt on wma land this time of year without another season being in?  I hope thet have changed the regs.
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: Duker on May 26, 2012, 04:25:00 PM
GREAT IDEA  :thumbsup:  Cool pics and story.Good luck on your next hog hunt  :archer2:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: VTer on May 26, 2012, 06:08:00 PM
Nice! Bring a fork and some matches and dont worry about bringing it home.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kayak Bow rack
Post by: monsterchelli on May 26, 2012, 06:10:00 PM
Thats very nice.   :thumbsup: