Extra storage space/ PVC Rails

Well, I decided that I didn’t have enough storage space on the Back of my Yak.  After seeing a picture posted by pelagic paddler using PVC rails, I decided that I should do something similar.  The problem that I had was that I do not have access to the inside of the hull in the rear of the yak
After searching the local hardware stores I decided that heavy duty, ¼ inch wall hangers might be my answer.  After a quick drawing to decide what PVC pieces I’d need, I bought about $25 in supplies and got my drill out.
The first step was to mount the footings that the rest of the rack would sit in.  I really hated drilling holes in the yak but it needed to be done.

Here you can see the PVC end cap with the wall hanger already through it followed by it put into place. Notice the silicone caulking squeezing out.  Afterwards I covered the screw head in caulking as well.





Here is a shot of all 4 caps mounted up.


And here is a shot with the rails in.  I short back piece has a little angle. I think I’ll redo it later on.


Finally, here is the Yak sitting on the Columbia River.  That is McNary Dam that you can see in the distance.


What do you all think?  Any advise on how to make it better?

crap, the pictures are not showing up.  they did when i previewed my post... i'll fix it shortly.
edit:
holy hell.  that's the last time i do a writeup in MS Word and copy/paste it over here.  Somehow it cahnged all of my tags from IMG to URL and then doubled all the links and bloah blah blah..

it should be ok now

Nice job! 

Nice job! They look pretty sturdy.

They do look nice and sturdy, and perhaps I am missing something, but how do they increase your storage capacity?

but how do they increase your storage capacity?

I didn't take a good photo of it but I rigged the net to go over the top of the pvc.  you can kinda see it in the bottom photo.

Looks good Joe! Does it get in the way when you're anchored? Does that claw hold pretty well?

Looks good Joe! Does it get in the way when you're anchored? Does that claw hold pretty well?

It doesn't get in the way of the anchor setup.  the anchor rope goes along the outside of the yak and connects to the carry handle.

The claw anchor has held pretty well for me.  It is a 3# anchor.  I also have a 4# chain that connects to it if i am in heavier current.  I have a thread about it over here: http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6840.0.html

Cool. I have the same one but ran into some issues with it slipping with some bottoms. Switched to a 10 lb mushroom which has worked great for most surfaces, it digs great in gravel but can slip at times with a muddy bottom in the Columbia. I'll have to get around to adding some chain.

How long a run of PVC is that?  Are you comfortable picking up your fully loaded kayak by them without them breaking?  Because you know it will be done ... 

-Allen

Here's mine..  I am about 80-90% comfortable lifting my yak with them. They are stout but I know they are a weak link. Does work nice for walking the yak out into the surf. Major improvement when it comes to hauling bulky stuff in the tankwell. This winter all my yaks will be getting these.

Hey Ron, how is your anchor release set up? Does your line, that attaches to your anchor, run through that eyelet/post thing to your cleat? Once you release it how do you how do you get it back in there? 

The green line is the "quick release line"  it passes through the ring on the downstream end of my anchor float set-up and back to the jam cleat.  When its released, it slips out of the ring and I drift off to net a fish .  When its time to reset I just "back paddle" a bit or reach back with the paddle to retrieve the tag end (green line) and then re-thread it back through the ring when I return to the anchored floats.

i wouldn't rely on them too much for lifting, however, I did lift with them and they are pretty sturdy.  Especially at the back.

The green line is the "quick release line"  it passes through the ring on the downstream end of my anchor float set-up and back to the jam cleat.  When its released, it slips out of the ring and I drift off to net a fish .  When its time to reset I just "back paddle" a bit or reach back with the paddle to retrieve the tag end (green line) and then re-thread it back through the ring when I return to the anchored floats.

Great, thanks for the photo. What purpose does the tennis ball serve again?