Greetings Kayakers!

This blog will serve as a platform to publish information of interests to all kayakers. While the www.TopKayaker.net free online magazine is ending its journey you can look here to see new information. I will be referring to many of the TopKayaker articles, so consider it your "freshman text book".

What has peaked my interest greatly is the restoration of classic kayaks and this will be a primary focus here (as well as parts ID service for more modern kayaks). Fiberglass, composite and plastic kayak hulls are nearly indestructible. These hulls will nearly last forever. The "soft parts" and other fittings will not. Your great grandchildren will inherit that old kayak in your garage. Lord knows, what they will use for a seat, hatch cover or rudder, maybe their cows will be drinking water from the hull. In any case, these old kayaks will be passed down, sold at yard sales and distributed to those who want to paddle them. These classic kayaks can be restored to full working condition, to be used safely for their original intended purpose. These kayaks were good enough for us a decade or two ago, they will be again with some TLC and a little elbow grease.

Yes, there are some kayaks that are lost cause and should be recycled or repurposed, never to paddle again. The reason for such could be many and varied. This topic will addressed at a later date. For the most part, if you have a viable hull, most of the original parts, a budget, some time and effort, as well as some ability to work with your hands, restoring an old kayak could be as much fun as paddling it.

Much of what you will initially see here on this blog will be information on kayak repair, maintenance, and access to parts. In the past decade or so my work at www.TopKayaker.com (the TopKayaker online store) has allowed me to help all kinds of kayakers, customize and improve their kayaks, repair kayaks, obtain hard to find kayak parts and to restore older kayaks back into full working order. So I will be pointing your attention to the TopKayaker Shop often. I like to say that "We have every thing but the hull".

I will not be encouraging people to "Mickey Mouse" or jury rig their kayaks back onto the water. While their might be a little McGyvering and some garage engineering, I will be advising repairs that take into account safety and practical needs within the realm of kayaking. Kayaking as a discipline has many levels in terms of the equipment used and the skills needed, not only to have fun but also to be safe. By percentage most paddlers simply want to float around on a pond, small lake or slow river, their goals and needs are simple, their exposure to risk is minimal. Other paddlers are more serious, even pro level, with more complex goals and greater exposure to risk. While paddling skills cannot be taught completely in a blog, I can address the equipment restoration based on the type of kayak and the intended use of the kayak by the kayak's designer and manufacture. In other words I will not be advising on how to strap a lawn chair into kayak, nor how to convert a white water kayak into a sea kayak, or vise versa. I will also drag my heels on the application of any motor, no matter how small, or designed in the boat from the beginning. I will apply my 38+ years of experience as a paddler, in the paddle sports business, and my common sense, to all that is published here. My goal is to help you restore your kayak back to safe operating condition.

I hope to address some other issues of interest to kayakers here as well, such as destinations, kayak news, reviews of equipment and the history of modern sport kayaking in the USA.

I look forward to our journey together, Tom Holtey

Kayak Rudder Related Articles and Links:

The many links below will shed some light on all kayak Rudders, regardless of brand name. All the videos are informative, even if your type, brand or model of kayak is not directly addressed. Some “brands” of rudder may have several pin lengths or rudder bracket types, to choose from, the Smart Track video will shed some light on the matter. Don’t discount information about a kayak just because it is a sit-on or sit-in hull style, the rudders are often identical.

• When To Get A Rudder And How To Use It General information.
• Necky’s how to use rudders and skegs video Also applicable to modern Ocean kayak and Old Town kayaks circa 2004 to date.
• Guide to Classic Kayak Rudder Replacement how to identify the proper replacement rudder for your kayak
• The Basics of Strap Eyes, Rivets & Well Nuts General information on mounting hardware.
• How To Install A Rudder On A Sit-on-top Kayak Shows a kayak with a molded hull rudder bracket.
• Installing a Rudder on a Sit-inside Kayak and Using a Gudgeon How to add a bracket and more.
• Sea-Lect Rudder Gudgeons An over view of only some rudder brackets available.
• Kayak Rudder Cable Connection Options Several ways to connect control cables to your rudder system.
• Hurricane Rudder Video Part 1 Mounting the gudgeon on the stern of the kayak.
• Hurricane Rudder Video Part 2 Drill cable holes (No Frog Eyes!) and Fasten Yakima-Werner tracks inside kayak (start at 7.5 minutes).
• Hurricane Rudder Video Part 3 Smart Track rudder assembly mounted on stern of kayak.
• Hurricane Rudder Video Part 4 Connect control cables to Yakima-Werner foot controls (+ additional info).
• Innova Inflatable Kayaks and other IK
• Feather Craft rudder install CLC Shows the end-pour, aka short pin, and Werner foot controls.
• Installing a Rudder on Jackson brand Journey kayak Adjusting Smart Track Toe Pilot Foot Controls and Cool Rudder Wedgies.
• The SealLine Smart Track Rudder System An overview of the Smart Track high performance aftermarket rudder system.
• Smart Track Video A fit guide, how to choose the blade housing (or pin type) to match the bracket type or brand of kayak.
• SmartTrack Toe and Foot Pedal Update, changes to toe controls and how it applies.
• Rebuilding Smart Track Recreational Foot Controls on a Current Designs kayak.
• Cool Rudder Wedgies, Understanding the changes; Older vs. Newer.
• Mounting a Smart Track Bayonet Pin style on an Epic kayak. There is NO audio, read the subtitles carefully.
• List of Major Kayak Brands that build kayaks with the Smart Track System often as an option available through the dealer or direct from the manufacture.
• See the Feelfree Lure Rudder Video and Feelfree Moken Rudder Video for more SmartTrack info.
• Sea-Lect Designs TruCourse Rudder Video New cutting edge rudder system, mounts to a variety of Rudder Brackets.
• Sea-Lect Designs Rudder Foot Controls Video New cutting edge “toe control” foot braces.
• Stud Mount rudder foot controls, as shown in the wood kayak, applicable to composites.
• Kajak Sport Navigator Rudder Instructions. Details on Bayonet style and Long Pin option + lift line and control cords.
• Prijon Rudder Installation Video Shows the modern SeaYak, with modern components, but applicable to most Prijon models and the system has not really changed that much.
• Old Town Rudder Instructions for older kayaks made before 2000 to 2013, Including the Loon 160T, Castine and general info applicable to most models to date.
• Necky Rudder Instructions Applicable to modern Necky kayaks circa 2004 to date as well as Ocean kayak and Old Town.
• Ocean Kayak Video part 1 Addresses; foot braces, tubes, control cables with straps, bracket and rudder mount, also applies to many sit-on-top kayaks as well as Necky and Old Town sit-in-side kayaks.
• Ocean Kayak Video part 2 Addresses; lift line, rudder catcher and connect cables to rudder, also applies to many sit-on-top kayaks as well as Necky and Old Town sit-in-side kayaks.
• How to trim Keeper Foot Pegs for classic foot controls often needed for older models.
• Confluence Rudder Install Video part 1 Addresses; BTS rudder mount, lift line, foot braces & control cables, applies to many sit-in-side kayaks, Wilderness Systems, Perception and Dagger kayaks.
• Confluence Rudder Install Video part 2 Addresses; rudder tubes, applies to many sit-in-side kayaks, Wilderness Systems, Perception and Dagger kayaks.
• WS Ride 135 Rudder Install Video Shows the Wilderness Systems sit-on-top fishing kayak by Confluence Watersports.
• New Confluence rudder bracket for WS kayaks How to secure gudgeon & rudder control cables with screws and nuts.
• Solo Rudder Service Kit How to convert your WS Course Control foot braces to Keepers foot braces, shows the Tarpon sit-on-top kayak, circa 2015.
• Tandem Rudder Service Kit How to convert your WS Course Control foot braces to Keepers foot braces, shows the Pamlico sit-in-side kayak, circa 2015. Useful for most tandem kayaks.
• Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 Rudder install shows the rudder assembly circa 2018 as well as rudder cable swivels and spectra cable.
• Hobie Island Rudder Installation Applies to Adventure Island and Tandem Island, some applicable to other Hobie kayaks.
• Hobie Outback Kayak Rudder System Overview This is worth watching, just wait 45 seconds to let it get going. Some applicable to other Hobie kayaks.
• Riot kayak rudder installation Shows drilling for cable tube “No Frog Eyes”, the Rudder Knot, & Thimbles and Shackles.
• Elie Strait 140 video review shows the rudder system in some detail.
• Current Designs Libra Tandem Rudder Repair, may apply to other CD kayaks
• Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12 Rudder Info now in Internet Archive.
• How to tie the “Rudder Rope Knot” aka nail knot Linking the ends of ropes or bungee with a grip knot on a rudder lift line.
• How to tie the triple overhand knot Make a grip knot on a rudder lift line (not to join two ropes).
• How to tie a different “Rudder Rope Knot” aka the double fisherman’s knot. Linking the ends of ropes and/or bungee with a grip knot on a rudder lift line.
• Restoration of Classic Cobra Rudder Cables, applies to Cobra Tourer, Eliminator and Expedition kayaks.
• Rebuilding a Yakima Rudder How to tune up a Dagger or Perception plastic rudder (now discontinued).
• Rebuilding A Scupper Pro Kayak Rudder How to tune up an older Ocean Kayak rudder circa 1990s (now discontinued).
• List of Ocean Kayak rudder instructions for past models in PDF downloads.
• SmartTrack Toe Pilot Install on a sit-on-top Addresses some of the difficulties of inside access with sit-on-tops. This is now solved with the Recreation Toe Pilot Foot Controls.
• Tom's Post on Rudder Block and Pin. General info on broken rudders applicable to a wide range of brands. Please note that 2-Screw Block is again available, with a 3-Screw Block to come in 2020.
• Review of the Scudder. A skeg like rudder found on some P&H and Venture kayaks.
• Venture Scudder Video. Trade show introduction of the Scudder (a skeg like rudder).
• The Straight and Narrow Path For Kayakers Going without a rudder.
• Rudder kits, replacement rudder parts, cables, foot controls, blade, tools and supply: Kayak Parts, Rudders + Skegs

The links above will shed on light on all kayaks, regardless of brand name. All the videos are informative, even if your type (sit-in vs. sit-on), brand or model of kayak is not addressed.

Read the articles and watch the videos at the links above. Check the links to the www.TopKayaker.com shop. Bear in mind that some categories are many pages long, and some product descriptions are quite informative.

Well Tim Niemier has done it again!

Take a peek:
https://www.facebook.com/Swellwatercraft/

Learn more about Tim:
http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Designers/Niemier.html

I hope to test paddle one of these soon.

Perception Vizcaya Restoration

The Perception Vizcaya solo touring kayak was produced 1999 through 2002. It was outfitted with the “ComfortTech” foam rubber seat mounted to a seat cradle that is molded as part of the hull. It was also outfitted with an optional rudder system that featured a rather unique rudder assembly. While there is nothing initially wrong with these two features these parts are no longer available.

The Vizcaya is a somewhat rare kayak, not that many were produced. While the Vizcaya is part of the vast Perception “family of kayaks”, its closest “younger siblings” are the Caretta tandem as well as the Napali sit-on-top solo and Mandalay sit-on-top tandem. All had the same unique rudder assembly, only the Vizcaya had the unique “Comfort Tech” foam seat. These features were discontinued when the kayaks were discontinued.

Rudder Replacement (or new rudder installation): 

The rudder assembly for the Vizcaya and its closest “siblings” can only be addressed by means of the SmartTrack rudder system. The key item is the Performance Blade Housing, Rear Mount to be used with the Foil Blade, Solo. (Or the Foil Blade, Tandem if applied to the two tandem kayaks mentioned above.) These Smart Track parts can be used to replace, or add a rudder to a kayak that has not had one before. The first link in this paragraph will lead to some basic info on the system. 

The original Perception Keepers Foot Controls and cables are compatible with the SmartTrack rudder assembly and are still available; to replace old, or add to a kayak that has not had them. Use the first link in this paragraph as well as the TopKayaker indexes to All Skills and Customization to learn more about rudder system installation and repair. Contact me as needed. FYI: I do not typically recommend Smart Track Toe Pilot Foot Controls (recreational or regular) for use with sit-on-tops, but it can be done with the rec version. 

Perception Vizcaya Seat Replacement: 

Important! The NeckyTouring Seat Pad Kit, described below, has been discontinued and is now sold out. The staff at TopKayaker is currently seeking a substitution. The results will be published here. The Necky seat info is left here for archival purpose.

It would be possible to carve some Close Cell Foam as a seat bottom cushion. Please Contact Tom for more info or to report your results.

The original seat for the Perception Vizcaya is no longer available as a replacement part. These seats will typically rot like an old foam rubber toy. The seat should be replaceable with modern components that are currently available. It will be a custom job requiring a bit of tinkering on your part. 

You will want to completely remove the old foam rubber seat and seat strap. Take steps not to damage the seat frame under it. It is not advisable to remove the seat frame. It is molded as part of the hull and may play a structural role. 

The Vizcaya is 24 inches wide, at the beam, with a cockpit coaming that is published to be 21 inches wide. The space from one side of your seat frame is about 18-20 inches to the other side. It was possible to use the discontinued the NeckyTouring Seat Pad Kit (commonly found in modern Necky sea kayaks about 22 inches wide). The seat pad at the link above was used in modern Necky brand kayaks with a similar, but different, frame (Necky Seat Frame) that you would not need. The Necky Touring Seat Pad Kit came with Velcro adhesive strips and some push rivets. This may or may not be completely adequate to the secure the Necky seat well to the existing Viscaya seat frame. Some additional Velcro, maybe some adhesive and possibly some screws and nuts for the seat pad “ears” might be needed. It is also possible that you may need to elevate the seat with a slab of Close Cell Foam. 

Currently we are suggesting the Kajak Sport Ergo Seat as a possible option for the Vizcaya. Check the dimensions of your seat frame, side to side and select the Ergo seat size that will fit the space allotted. Mount the Ergo seat to the seat frame with two to four stainless steel bolts, washers and lock-nuts, horizontally through the seat posts (looks like arms on an armchair). This has not yet been tested. Please Contact Tom for more info or to report your results.

You will want some back support too. For the most part you can select any of the sea kayak style BackBands. Back Bands are generic, and all are more or less the same for comfort. I will suggest two options below:

The Kajak Sport Back Hi Profile Back Band or the Kajak Sport Back Lo Profile Back Band are best used with the Ergo Seat. Use this link for info on how-to install: Kajak Sport Back Band Instructions
The Seals options below would be best for any type of foam rubber seat:

 

Seals Back Band, Small Dimensions 14 inches by 5 1.4 inches

Seals Back Band, Large Dimensions 15 inches by 6 1/8 inches

Use the link below for more info on how-to install: Seals Backband How-To Video

Get the Small (Lo-Profile) if you are a small or medium person, or you feel that it will fit your back or the kayak better. Get the large (Hi-Profile) if there is lots of room in the cockpit, or you are a large or tall person (maybe medium too) or you have a clear need for extra back support ("bad back").

Back Bands with a lower rear anchor strap cannot easily be used on a foam rubber seat, but an extension of the rear lower strap might be applied to the middle of the seat frame, under the seat pad.

One would want to "test sit" any seat retrofit (on dry land) and then test paddle the kayak (in clam water close to shore) with the seat temporally installed the cockpit. Assess the need for elevation with close cell foam. Consider adjustment fore and aft as needed. Bear in mind that adhesives and push rivets will be difficult to take apart if you need to re-do. Try to make your plan such that it can be re-configured, just in case you need to make a change. 

Now that you have the basic seat components in place, and have test paddled, you can fine tune the plan with some Close Cell Foam bottom paddling and/or other Hardware bits, if needed.

Next test paddle the kayak in a "sea trial", not too adventurous, with a bailout plan, just in case your install is not working to you satisfaction. When your kayak, with its new seat, has proven itself you can them use it fully as it as the sea kayak it was intended to be. 

Assuming you are going to be paddling this kayak as a sea kayak, or as a fresh water touring kayak (big lakes), probably wearing a Spray Skirt and possibly practicing some sea kayak skills, some hip pads might be something to think about. The Harmony Hip Pad Kit (or other hip pad kits) would be advisable as the next custom outfitting. 

You may have other questions about restoring the Vizcaya. Feel free to contact me. You might try this retrofit on your Vizcaya. Please feel free to share your results with me. 

(Photos below show before images. Send me your after images and I will post them.)

Happy Paddling, Tom Holtey,

 

 

Stay tuned... gearing up for the 2016 season!

TopKayaker's Blogspot

TopKayaker.Net started as Sit-on-topKayaking.com with a single page about Tom Holtey's book "Sit-on-top Kayaking, A Beginner's Guide" in 1998. Tom & his wife Athena continued to add articles in response to email requests and suggestions, developing TopKayaker.Net providing free articles with a true passion for the sport.

Seeking out experts as well as average visitors with a like passion, contributing articles, photos, reviews, and participation from you and many forum regulars, has delighted well over 4000 visitors a day. We show our appreciation for your contributions by continuing to provide the best support we know how, to kayakers of all types and skill levels. As we begin to archive our hundreds of articles at TopKayaker.net, and put to rest the long and exciting history of our forum, this blog will serve as a tool that Tom can use to continue writing important instructional material. It can also easily to link to our Facebook page.

In 2008 Tom turned his attention to The TopKayaker Shop building a comprehensive resource for kayaking hard to find kayak parts, hard to find accessories, for both sit-in and sit-on kayaks, as well as providing personal advice and instruction, drawing on Tom's many years in the industry helping and teaching kayakers and working with parts and gear suppliers across the U.S.

Shop with us online or come by and visit when in New Hampshire:

Hours: Mon - Friday, 10 am to 4:30 pm or by appointment 

TopKayaker is located at: 680 White Mountain Hwy STE 6, NH 03886