Getting closer to the launch of the Stealth 14

I went back to OEX Mission Bay today and spoke to Brent and C.J. about the new yak. Brent said that it was possible that I might get it on Thursday of this week. That was a pleasant surprise. Another nice surprise was the price. Brent gave me a great deal on the kayak and the rudder kit. I almost saved enough on the yak to convince myself to go get a new fish finder/GPS. I actually went to West Marine to look at a Lowrance HDS-5. Ay, chihuahua; $799! I didn't save that much on the yak. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to be happy with my 527.

While at West Marine I started getting some of the things that I'll need for the new yak. I picked up an 8" clear Beckson deckplate hatch that I'm going to put in the live well hatch. I want a clear hatch so I can keep an eye on my bait and the level in the well. I also got a Marelon 3/4" flange nut for the livewell pump intake. I wanted to use a Marelon nut instead of the cheap nylon fittings that come with the pump. I figure that with a lot of 3M 5200 and a flange nut on both sides of the hull, the through hull connection should be pretty strong.

The only thing that I'm still debating is the Malibu drop-in bait tank for the rear hatch. I was going to use one with the X-Factor, but I dropped the idea when I switched to the Stealth 14. Malibu re-designed the rear deck to raise the hatch lip by an inch. This keeps it a little higher out of the water. My first idea was to permanently bolt the tank into hatch rim and use it for additional storage and access to the hull. I planned on cutting the bottom out of the tank and adding a little net basket. This would allow me to store some things in the tank and still have access to the hull. After more discussions with C.J., I am leaning back towards getting the tank. Having the tank permanently installed might make it difficult to stow flat upside-down, but it will make it much more fishable. Having the tank permanently installed will also give me a good place to put all the switches for the electrical components.

I plan on installing foam blocks under the seat and near the scuppers to take the load off the scupper posts. I'm also going to reinforce the scuppers with PVC pipe. I am hoping that the heavy layup and supports under the cockpit will make this a very sturdy kayak. The foam blocks won't add much weight and they will spread the load away from the scupper posts.

Fortunately, I don't have much more that I need to buy for the new yak. I've got three boxes of various pieces and parts left over from the seven previous kayaks I've worked on. The only things I still need are a RAM rod holder, plastic rudder cable tube and possibly the drop-in bait tank. I may go with just two RAM rod holders for the trolling rods and then make a rocket launcher from SS handrail. I still haven't made up my mind on that one. It will be very effective and look nice, but the weight is an issue. I am still trying to keep this as simple and lightweight as possible.