Evan started to out grow the Odd Duck a couple of seasons after its launch.  I also wanted something a bit more versatile for fishing and touring about (the cheap-canoe is a bit tippy for casting).  I prefer a sit-in, rather than a sit-on-top boat as I have found the sit-on-top types leave you with a wet bum. 

I finally settled on Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 Angler. Yeah, I know its not a wooden boat, but there is something to be said about a tough molded plastic boat.  Besides, it did need a bunch of modifications.

First, I needed a paddle holder.

The folks at Trail Head (where I bought the boat), had a simple kit from Old Town.  Its basically a shock cord with a couple of clips.

A four rivets, a couple of knots and its done.  With this setup I can stow and retrieve my paddle with one hand.

Next I wanted to add a fish finder - but where to put it?  I also need a place to put my fishing gear, so adding a small deck to the cockpit seemed like a good solution.

Now the Pungo comes with an optional deck, but it wasn't available when I outfitted mine.  

I started with a cardboard template.

I used a left over piece of 1/4" marine plywood from the Piranha for the deck.  The clamps are holding it in place while I line up some pilot holes.

I picked up some threaded inserts that I pounded into the plastics.  They won't hold enough to pick the boat up, but they will hold enough to keep the deck on.

A few stainless steel bolts and washers will hold it all together.  Now for the electronics.

I chose a Hummingbird PiranhaMax because of the price and size. 

The fish finder requires a 12 volt power supply.  This is usually from a boat battery, but the weight is too much for a kayak. A little bit of internet searching showed how to get the same from 8 AA batteries.

A trip to RadioShack (remember them?) and I had all I needed:

  • Battery box
  • Battery box connector
  • Inline fuze box and fuzes
  • Shrink tubing

Yup, 12 volts

Good stuff, it works!

One final test before installation....okay, this was dumb.

The transducer needs to be either in perfect contact with the hull, or water.  Unfortunately the V shaped hull of the boat doesn't make this easy.

I solved the problem by gluing a piece of closed cell foam.  To fill in the gap I used a bit of Vaseline.  I may try gluing it in later, but for now this will work.

The wires run under the combing and up under the new deck.


The deck needs some storage as well. 

I traced out the edge of the combing and took one of my fishing boxes to get a fit.

Some cheap angle brackets and more scraps of plywood and the trays are ready.

The smaller one will hold the battery box for the fish finder.

Some green paint, bungee cords and a few holes for tools and its good to go. 

The final modification was to add an anchor trolley.  The boat came with an anchor line and cleat, but I added a pulley operated anchor trolley for better balance.

The anchor line goes through the ring which can be pulled to either the bow or stern by the pulley system.  This allows me to set the anchor so I don't have to cast into the wind.

Pics soon.....