SOLO SKIFF PROGRESS THREAD

[Harry Hill]

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

[FISH11]

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

My buddy Fabian whipped up this quick video for he and Nelsons maiden voyage. You can see me cruising right next time to him at times, almost as if we are racing, probably were

https://youtu.be/H6TXqcROVlY

The video inst kinda poor quality not sure why, maybe cause its a link of a link, either way.

The quality on the U-Tube video is 240p at the highest (that is poor quality level even for cell phones. Most likely it was in the settings when it was uploaded. Even 480 is bad (in my book) I try to use 720p or higher but it takes a lot longer to upload. Still looks like fun on a hot day. I'm almost done setting mine up. Had a change of plans on how to mount a few accessories. Also with the amount of people watching U-Tube they have been automatically lowering the quality setting when there is heavy use and even good quality video get down graded while watching by U-Tube. That part really pisses me off.

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

The outboard already has a kill switch with a leash, that is meant to attach to the driver, during engine use. I believe all Tiller motors come that way. Falling off is why they would do that. If the user forgets to attach the leash, the boat would keep going. Using the leash, if you fall off, it will pull out a small safety spacer on the kill switch. That shuts off the motor.

[Harry Hill]

I haven't bought a new engine for a long time, they never used to have kill switches on them, one of the reasons so many fisherman drowned when out by themselves in small boats. I guess I should have known that in todays world that would be required.

[FISH11]

I had a change off plans on how I wanted a few accessories installed and that has taken a little longer, with having to re-think options. I changed how I wanted the transducer mounted, because I wanted it to not only be able to move out of the way for transport but also be able to kick up in case of hitting an object. So I ended up making my own braket, that also didn't put any holes on the hull below water line. The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller. I also decided I wanted them removable and use Mighty Mount XLs, for a cleaner deck when not using them. Stupid cell phone it's rotating the pictures.

[NICKWORN]

[QUOTE=FISH11;308887] The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller.

Yep, totally stealing that idea!

Just need to see if they would interfere with my H-Rail Hobie rod holders, i dont think so depending on placement. I may just attach a 3-pack to the outside of my milk-crate, the tiller never reaches that far as making too sharp of turns is going to end with you in the drink. I really kept an eye on my turning angles Sunday with my two rod holders inside the crate, one was for the gaf and the other for an extra rod, never came close to hitting them.

[NICKWORN]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Do you guys put a dead man switch on the engine? I know that people get thrown from skiffs when they hit a crossing swell or wake from another boat. From the videos I've watched so far the Solo Skiff moves at a pretty good pace so it looks like it would be easy to get thrown overboard. It would get real lonely to watch your skiff going off into the sunset while you waited for someone to find you. I like the Solo Skiff but there isn't much to hold onto when things get rough.

I attach this to my ankle and the kill switch, allows me to move about freely but if tossed over it will kill motor. My buddy went over 2x on Sunday, learning curve, gotta learn to roll with the swells and throttle in and out, confidence is earned with time on water!!

[NICKWORN]

We all noticed a little water in our Skiffs, Google revealed the rod holders, similar to the PA tend to let water in if you get swamped or reverse to fast. Skiff made to allow all water to flush out of the stern. So I found these and plugged em, gonna paint black.

The reason the rod holders suck is the pole and reels are exposed to the salt water if you take on water.

I also found alot of eel grass in my intake impeller, solved by using a kitchen drain mesh stopper.

[NICKWORN]

That's why i love these platforms, comes naked, allows for each individuals unique take on what they want.

#personalizedskiffs

Motor finally completed its 10hr break-in, gonna change oil and lower gear oil and smashed out to LJ this weekend!

TIME!!

[FISH11]

[QUOTE=NICKWORN;308893]

Originally Posted by FISH11

The rear 3 rod holders on each side are for carrying the rods and keeping them out of the way and still allows good motor turning for harder right turns with the tiller.

Yep, totally stealing that idea!
.
Just need to see if they would interfere with my H-Rail Hobie rod holders, i don't think so depending on placement. I may just attach a 3-pack to the outside of my milk-crate, the tiller never reaches that far as making too sharp of turns is going to end with you in the drink. I really kept an eye on my turning angles Sunday with my two rod holders inside the crate, one was for the gaf and the other for an extra rod, never came close to hitting them.

No problem, that's why I shared my Idea. Got the stainless bolts, washers and nylock nuts and aluminum piece for top bracket, at Lowes. Long Mighty Mount XLs on the bottom attached to the inside of the gunnel and short Mighty Mount XLson the top. I used the aluminum pop rivets that are used for eyelets and other deck attachments. They are made to split is three sections and they are compressed by the rivet hand tool. When making the short top brace to the top of the gunnel, heat up the aluminum first before trying to make the sharp bend. The first one I bent slowly and was ok, the second I was a little impatient and it broke at the bend. If you heat that area first then the aluminum can stretch without cracking. Because of the angle of the hull, they have a slight outward tilt and give a little extra clearance for the tiller arm. They are removable and are really solid.

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

That's why i love these platforms, comes naked, allows for each individuals unique take on what they want.

#personalizedskiffs

Motor finally completed its 10hr break-in, gonna change oil and lower gear oil and smashed out to LJ this weekend! TIME!!

Congrats on the 10 hrs break in. I'm taking mine out to Mission Bay to do some of my break in time, so it can be ready for the deeper water. I agree on the blank canvas, it makes it so much easier to add what you use and not have items that are not important to every owner. Thanks for the link for the seat and the heads up on the on deck rod tube leaking. I will pull one out to check if they might just need a little marine goop at seams or deck surface. When I installed the 8" Hobie hatch for the aerator install access on the bow I noticed the tube are just laying against the inside of the hull. I though that they might slap against the hull, so I put a piece of pool noodle under and made like a U under then and applied a small amount of marine goop to the noddle just a few drops so the noodle can't move.

[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.