Bringing my new (to me) Prijon Yukon Expedition kayak back to life! (Ep. 1)

[@1320trail]

After about 4 years of looking, I just scored a prijon yukon expedition, from P.A., no doubt! I drove all the way there, picked her up, and got back about 3am. I'm so excited! Now, I've got to put a little love into her. She's blue, by the way.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

NICE! I seem to remember seeing a blue Yukon on FB Marketplace...glad you snagged it! Welcome to Team Yukon!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Love it!!!!!! I am emotionally invested in Marigold!!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

That makes 2 of us then! Looking forward to bringing her up to RK World Headquarters for some work.

[@mountainsnmoore256]

6-8 months?!?!?! Ive been looking for almost 4 YEARS!!! All of them were out west, or way up the East Coast. I almost bought one in Durango, CO in 2019. We were there for my job and visiting my wife's family. They said that we could leave at their cabin and return for it the next spring, but I just couldn't get the ducks in a row....so I was really tickled when you shared that one to Crossed Paddles that was 2 hours from my house! I owe you a big one, dude!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Sometimes the planets just align...glad it worked out! Seems meant to be 👍👍

[@mountainsnmoore256]

@@SideTrailAdventures Well, let’s hope so! I am hoping to get caught up on stuff around here and get to start the prepping for a trip with it soon!

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Congratulations on your new acquisition.... good times ahead!👍🏻

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Indeed! This boat opens up a lot of options for trips that my other boats just can't support. Just wish these things weren't so hard to come by. Thanks for watching!

[@backinthewoods2022]

I have been looking for the same kayak and judging by your hat for the same reason. After watching his trip on the Namekagon river in Wisconsin which is near me I have wanted that boat. I broke down and have a Prijon Enduro 360 coming instead but am still on the search for my Yukon. I paddle the Flambeau River in Wisconsin which has up to class 4 rapids. Hopefully the Enduro will work for me up to the class 3 stuff. Congrats on your purchase have fun👍

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Yukon Expeditions are like unicorns and once Pete started singing their praises, they're even harder to find. Check out the Facebook group "Prijon / Eskimo Kayak Hoarders Support Group & swap meet". There are postings from both Facebook and Craigslist for all over the place. I've seen a few Yukons on there in the last month or 2 but all on the west coast. Just another place to check. Good luck on the search and thanks for watching!

[@coffinshaker]

Similar story, I had been hitting CL and all the market places on-line and after 5 months found one in the Bay area in CA. I live in Washington state so rather than drive 12 hours each way I just got on a website that let various carriers bid on what you want shipped. I found a guy who delivered it to me for $280 which was good considering the time, gas and food expenses. Mine is also yellow and came with no rudder. It was damn near mint when it arrived but after 2 years of banging it down the rivers of Washington state it's battle-scared. They are about the ugliest kayaks around but they are absolutely bulletproof. Congrats on finding one.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Bulletproof indeed! I wish there was another kayak in production out there like it but there just isn't. Love to hear yours is getting some use. Thanks for watching!

[@iowamatt2519]

Love the name, Goldie was the name of our Golden Retriever we had for 15 years. The drive time is all part of the story. I drove 8 hours to get Kevin's boat. Then 15 hours to deliver it. If it was easy it wouldn't mean as much. I think the deck stains look like the tannins on the walls of the grand canyon. Ancient Navajo writings.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

The pick up scenario all went down within 12 hours of departure so convincing my wife that I hadn't gone off the deep end was a challenge. You're right though, even though she's ugly, it wouldn't mean as much if we didn't go through the things we do paddle them down the river. And I like the ancient Navajo writings...maybe Kokopelli could be her next name 😁

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Were you at least able to leverage the stains for a good deal on the buy?

[@KathysOutdoorAdventures]

At least it is a good addiction! Looking forward to seeing you get her fixed up and taking her down the river

[@SideTrailAdventures]

I agree Kathy! The outdoors is the best drug out there 👍😎

[@crazygrandma2972]

Can't wait to see episode 2

[@SideTrailAdventures]

It's coming! I've got a backlog of editing that I'm working through but Marigold will ride again...thanks for watching!

[@AVAJourneys]

Still hunting one! Congrats on the find brother! AVA Brian

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Your boat is out there just waiting to be found!👍👍

[@RobBrown2288]

Don’t fear the heat gun. Used it to rehab some of the trim on my 19 year old CR-V. The trick is the same as great BBQ-slow and low.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

mmmm....BBQ. At least I know what I'll be having for lunch now😎 I'm not beyond the heat gun yet...maybe just a long term thing to think about. Gotta see how much the stains bother me.

[@deangousse2113]

Picked up mine just just a couple of days ago. I only had to drive two hours away to get it so It wasn't so bad. It's missing a few more parts than yours but it's all good. Mine looks like someone transported it upside-down in a pickup. I'm thinking of using an iron instead of a heat gun to try and keep the heat from going through the entire thickness of plastic. We'll see how that turns out. First things first though. The stern gudgeon is broken and I'm planning on molding one a new one out of thick PVC so I can attach a rudder. Mine is also missing the hatch covers. I picked up a super heavy-duty trash cans to sacrifice for those.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Nice! They're such great boats. Check pathspeakspaddles.com/ for miscellaneous parts. They've got a great selection. I picked up a bunch of pieces from them for Marigold. Good luck with your project!

[@deangousse2113]

@@SideTrailAdventures Thank you, I'll have to check them out.

[@deangousse2113]

The hatch covers are $60 on that site. So, either my $31 trash can provides me with enough of the right material to make them, or I spend $150 on a pair from the site you mentioned (because I already purchased the barrel :) ). So far, the barrel trick seems to be working well!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

@@deangousse2113 that's some expensive plastic! I guess when you can work smarter and not harder...why not?

[@deangousse2113]

@@SideTrailAdventures Absolutely! Coming out great so far. I layered epoxyed and rivited strips on the top and bottom of the cover, now they are very rigid. I ended up buying the neoprene covers from them though. I think the peace of mind is worth it.

[@anthonybarbour43]

Hope you got some chocolate while in Hershey...lol. Your trip reminds me of my roundtrip to Atlanta to pick up my Remix XP10. When it's the boat you want, no distance is too great...something non-kayakers do not understand...lol.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

I made a round trip to Atlanta for my Katana. That was my wife's first clue that this kayak thing might be serious for me. When the PA boat popped up, I think she considered having me committed 😂 The guy that sold me the boat actually gave me some chocolate bars. Said "you can't come to Hershey and not get some chocolate". Good folks!

[@ellabrown100]

I just rescued an Aquaterra Prism 14. It needs some work but it was only $60.00. I am just starting out on my rehab. I would try mineral spirits or Acetone to try to get the stain off.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Nice! $60 is hard to beat for a kayak. I honestly get more enjoyment out of the boat if I've got a little elbow grease donated at the front end. A shiny new kayak just doesn't mean as much.😎 Thanks for watching!

[@timmcdaniels7083]

Austin, you could also try some Red(coarse) or Gray(fine) 3M scotchbrite pads. They wont take any plastic off...but should buff out the stain marks.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Great tip, thank you! I'll give those a shot.

[@RobBrown2288]

“Marigold” . Nirvana or Foo Fighters for the unveiling video?

[@SideTrailAdventures]

If only KZbin would allow me to use copyrighted music!

[@kellyjiroch2305]

curious how much a used Prijon Yukon Prijon costs... one in good shape vs in need of some rehab. I found one and want to make an offer. I have no idea what I should be paying for one.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

I've seen a lot of overpriced Yukons floating around on Facebook marketplace. I think I paid about $600 for mine which is about mid-range. The demand is high though and folks will increase the price because...well...they just don't make these kayaks anymore. If you've found one online and the price is in your window, I'd snag it. I know if people that will drive hundreds of miles to get one of these 😂. Thanks for watching!

[@philcarr7015]

Try some white polishing compound with a sheep's wool pad on a buffer at low speed. Make sure polish is white so it doesn't discolor the boat. Sometimes, red scotch brite pads can discolor plastic so, be cautious if you try that. After polishing, apply some paste wax like you would on your car. If you aren't comfortable doing all of this, find someone to help you. I'm in Missouri, or I would. Nice Xterra. I have a 2012 Pro4X.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Right on, I'm open to any suggestions! Love my Xterra...I treat her like my truck. 160,000 miles and still going strong! Thanks for watching!

[@philcarr7015]

@@SideTrailAdventures My X has about 140,000... Love the kayak videos. Best of luck on your restoration!

[@deangousse2113]

How's your boat coming along? ready for the water yet?

[@SideTrailAdventures]

It's been sitting for a few weeks but episode 2 filming is coming up this week...new seat and rudder!

[@deangousse2113]

@@SideTrailAdventures Excellent. I came up it a slightly different idea for the seat back. I used a piece of the trash can that I used for the hatch covers and paired it with a kneeling pad from Harbor Freight and with Pete's aluminum stock frame. I've had a heckuva time finding a WS seat bottom so I may need to come up with a different idea for that. I'm temporarily using a couple of layers of closed cell foam and it's working ok, but not great. I've had 2 4 day trips and I'm not crippled yet!

[@1320trail]

After noting your hat, I see why you'd go to 10 buck 2 for a prijon yukon expedition! I watch that channel too.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Haha, River King Pete is a good friend and DEFINITELY the reason behind the purchase. Thanks for watching and thanks for the sub! You are my 1000th subscriber!

[@1320trail]

@@SideTrailAdventures That's great!

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

Awesome ! You should’ve just went w it and turned the stain marks into tiger stripes, or flames 🔥. Add a few more graphics and you’d have had the best looking Yukon on the water!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Nothing is off the table yet😎 She'll definitely have a custom exterior no matter what! Thanks for watching!

[@1320trail]

What do you think about the red P. yukon tour kayak? I would think it would be a great day trip kayak. Does it paddle and handle like the excursion model?

[@SideTrailAdventures]

I love the color but not the boat for me. I've since sold it but not before RK Pete paddled it in the Kibler Race. He said it handles exactly like the Expedition model...the only difference is the hatches/bulkheads. The guy I sold it to did say he was going to use it more like a day trip kayak. I'm just glad to see it get some love. Thanks for watching!

[@CarolinaMusicScene]

Wow.. Brother.. you know I am off when your working and working when your off. That being said, you should have called I would have helped ya drive..

[@SideTrailAdventures]

I don't mind the driving a bit...the first hour on the road was a struggle but I got a second wind and it was smooth sailing. The worst part of the trip was going through DC traffic twice in one day.

[@jpblais2710]

Whatever you wind up doing to her is gonna make her better than she was and get her back on the water again !!!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

For sure! It definitely felt like a kayak rescue 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@timothyfanney7260]

Hoppes 9, old toothbrush, paper towels, water to rinse, cold beer, radio playing in background and a little patience. Thank me later. Stay safe. T

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Way ahead of you on the music and beer sir! I will give the Hoppes 9 a try though. Thanks!

[@dismaldog]

Just watch the copyright on that evil laugh dude-he is pretty ruthless!!!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Haha, oh that sound byte is 100% mine....and it will definitely be used many times in the future!😂 Thanks for watching!

[@harrymuir835]

I dont see the problem with driving 7 hours one way for a kayak...of course my wife thought I was nuts for driving 2 hours one way for mine.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Yeah, I didn't even think twice about it...just like "ok, this is what's happening". Convincing my wife that I hadn't gone off the deep end was another thing.😂

[@harrymuir835]

@@SideTrailAdventures I know the feeling. I have been looking for a crossover boat for about a year and within 2 days I find two of them one of which happened to be in Erie PA about 2 hours away. She thought I'd lost it but she indulged me.

[@stephenmcelwee3129]

why do you need a rudder, maybe on a lake, but not on a river or creek.

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Marigold is probably too big for creeking but the rudder definitely will come in handy on rivers, especially those that are deeper or have slow current. If you check out River Kings, you can see them using rudders on all kinds of water.