solo skiff

[Baja_Traveler]

Originally Posted by makobob

I went that way because of reliability, 20 hp 4 strokes just work and sip fuel. The smaller outboards seem to have more maintence and running problems including idle and fouled carbs. Only my opinion. TightLines.

Yep - in all my research on these little outboards - you'd better shut the valve and run the carb bowl dry after the end of the day, or suffer the consequences. Most likely because of the tiny jets on the carbs of these small engines are so easy to varnish up. Also recommended to add a marine fuel stabilizer.
Take care to do that, and they are extremely reliable and fuel efficient.

Also - I'm not about to be dragging an outboard out of the truck routinely that weighs over a hundred pounds. My goal is to go trailerless, simply because trailers are not allowed in the Sentri lane.

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Yep - in all my research on these little outboards - you'd better shut the valve and run the carb bowl dry after the end of the day, or suffer the consequences. Most likely because of the tiny jets on the carbs of these small engines are so easy to varnish up. Also recommended to add a marine fuel stabilizer.
Take care to do that, and they are extremely reliable and fuel efficient.

Also - I'm not about to be dragging an outboard out of the truck routinely that weighs over a hundred pounds. My goal is to go trailerless, simply because trailers are not allowed in the Sentri lane.

So Kai, are you going to leave the small outboard attatched to the yak transom or REMOVE it for transport, I do like the idea. Really increases the exploration range. All the bigger Roosters WERE caught at the island.

Question to OEX.............Transducer Mounting options?????????

Tight Lines.

[Baja_Traveler]

That all depends - if I go the route where I load it in the bed of the truck with a hitch extender, I'll leave it in place. If I decide to go up on the racks with one of those pivot loaders, the outboard will go in the bed of the truck. I'm still debating back and forth on it, but tending towards up on the rack.
I just feel its safer for the boat, not hanging out there for someone to run into, and you know how when you pass through the Sentri booth you have to go through those super tight turns that prevent gate crashing? Reducing overall truck length is an advantage - heck, I feel like I can barely make those turns as it is.

The transducer question has also crossed my mind. I thought it would be awesome for them to include a "Lowrance Ready" option like Hobie has. But that would involve them building a new roto mold - not an inexpensive undertaking. I see that people have mounted fishfinders with the cabling passing through a watertight fitting in the forward bulkhead, but I don't see detail on the actual transducer mount. Since these boats are first rotomolded just like our kayaks, and then given a second pass with a foaming compound (creating an 1 1/2" hull) I'm not sure how well a transducer would "shoot through" that thick of material. Further research will be needed.
The cool thing is - all the expensive accessories I bought for the PA14 can simply be swapped over to the Solo, all I would have to duplicate are the transducer and rod holder mounts.

[Baja_Traveler]

Here's the problem with researching the crap out of something - it costs me money. This is the first accessory I have to order, and it will be the bomb for the PA14 also for getting over sand and cobble, way nicer than the Hobie cart and it folds up into a super compact package for transporting (But costs twice as much also).


Dynamic Dolly

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Here's the problem with researching the crap out of something - it costs me money. This is the first accessory I have to order, and it will be the bomb for the PA14 also for getting over sand and cobble, way nicer than the Hobie cart and it folds up into a super compact package for transporting (But costs twice as much also).


Dynamic Dolly

BT, contact EOD he has a PA 14 on this cart. Get his oppinion he used it at my place.