CHEAP Tippy Kayak TRANSFORMED!! ULTIMATE DIY Fishing MACHINE (FATBOY EDITION) Pt#1

Hello welcome to my CHANNEL!! This video Ill show you a project I've been work on the last few months! I take a Sundolphin Bali ss 10 foot Kayak and add modifications as I see fit! Lots of original ideas that WORKED :) Part 2 will be the completed project and hopefully some fishing videos! Check out my buddies Kayak Mod Video here! • Electric Trolling Kaya...

[@Ruthless9o7]

I have this exact kayak, i bought it because it was cheap and i wasnt sure if i would even enjoy fishing / kayaking on a boat like this, turns out I do and this lil kayak has been great! I found it extremely stable right out of the box, i could lean quite far in either direction without fear of tipping. I have seen several videos claiming this kayak is unstable but that just isnt true u need to work on your balance. this kayak is def not stable enough to stand in but u should have no issue moving around and accessing the storage in the back or front. ive owned this kayak for 4 years now, still going strong. best 200 bucks i ever spent.

[@HighDollarHobo]

All depends on your weight I was 50 lbs or more overweight made it extremely tippy.. 200 WAS a good price! Think i paid 300 :(

[@JodyBurton-hu8wo]

Great idea with the PVC stabilizer system. I went one further , by using threaded ends ( only one side on each side, obviously). Note, you'll need to use plumbers tape around the threads. To keep water out ,but I use it for rod storage!! Works great. Keep up good work ,we simpletons need foolproof instructions.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I just sold this kayak for $500 the guy looked really happy 😊

[@MyAngleFishing]

Great idea man! That's cool. I took a slightly different route with my PVC. I hope to get the video of it in action soon.

[@javierdeleon7597]

Very creative 👌 nicely done

[@DailyDelsol]

Beautiful story! Love the voice over. Style videos! Please make more!

[@HighDollarHobo]

You are a super cool person! Thanks for the encouragement buddy :)

[@Mark-qj2rf]

Some pretty good ideas.

[@hotmoffitt]

Love the creativity!

[@jasonwilliamson4731]

If you have not got your first motor attempt leak fixed yet you can cut an oversized patch out of a coffee container. Look on the container for HDPE, this is the material that the yak is made from. This stuff is thin so it will be easy to burn through but you can use a clean soldering iron to melt the edges in on the inside and out. Pro Tip: use a piece of wood as a finger to hold the patch in place to keep from burning yourself. Hope this helps if still leaking

[@HighDollarHobo]

Thanks for the tip I have a lot of the those coffee cans! and need to do that same fix for my camper water tank !

[@jasonwilliamson4731]

@@HighDollarHobo No problem, if you need more info just ask. I worked for a company welding plastic and can get you close!

[@adamschneider4188]

Most of what I've seen has been over complicated... Continues drilling holes and using a sawzall on a plastic raft... 🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻

[@sundar5537]

hi,welldone. i am going to try this, thanks, good wishes..

[@barrywuthrich8530]

Cool concept and a lot narrower footprint than outriggers. But I would likely opt for well nuts instead of silicon. Especially since you drilled holes below the waterline.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I'll have to look up well nuts.. I didn't use silicone I used poster putty blue sticky tac . Teflon putty I've heard it called

[@Mg-yc7hb]

Hey, to solve your leak problem you can add a nut and a washer on the u-bolts on the outside of the boat and use butyl tape underneath the washer. Also put butyl tape on the inside underneath the washer and tighten it down and then tighten the nut and washer on the outside and it will squeeze the butyl tape into the holes and seal it up. If you don’t have any threads on the U bolts outside the boat, you can use a dye and cut the threads further down so that you can add the nut and washer

[@HighDollarHobo]

I have a bunch of that tape for the camper build. Not sure the U bolts are leaking.. once I get the main leak fixed in the back I'll see if the u bolts leak. But helpful tip I'll keep in mind. I do appreciate it

[@SterlingSilversmith]

A couple of big, thick noodles would work just adhesive to the outside of the kayak .. at water line.

[@pb-bx1ll]

Great video, thank you

[@HighDollarHobo]

I just sold this kayak yesterday :)

[@rick55fla]

Your biggest mistake was no vests for you (after you had been dumped 2x) and your son. I hope others do more research before following any of the things you did. I wish you the best!!

[@herb1959]

looks solid ! any leakage?

[@tadroselshahat63]

Awsome ideas 😘

[@HighDollarHobo]

Glad you like them!

[@coreyadams8104]

I can also send you my plans for a transom to mount a trolling motor to as well as a steering system.

[@HighDollarHobo]

You can send it to [e-mail] if I use your ideas I'll give credit

[@MrRaja681]

Hey Corey id.love to see these plans as well Thank you, my email is [e-mail]

[@chrisdix1390]

I would use either gluevit or 5200 marine glue to seal the leaks below the waterline spending the money on that would be a lot Better in case your pump stopped working for whatever reason and your kayak took on too much water

[@HighDollarHobo]

That's true good call! I still haven't fixed it. Might try epoxy resin and plastic welding. I'll make a note of the 5200 glue thanks!

[@eagleviewhd]

Made some great modifications to my Sun Dolphin Bali 10 (same as the Journey 10). Did not put any huge holes into my Sun Dolphin. Check them out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nniTl4BreN2pjKc

[@chillios2222]

paid 229 at tractor supply for a lifetime flat top kayak, completely stable and i weigh 270

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

I'm glad I found this vid,I almost got that kayak.thanks for saving me.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I was 280 lb when I bought that kayak I didn't realize I was way too overweight. Might be a great kayak for someone that's a lot lighter. I'm about 40 lb lighter now maybe I should take the buoys off nah JK

[@Ruthless9o7]

im 220 pounds 6' tall and i LOVE this kayak, had it for years now, super stable and affordable, u wont be standing in it but it is a great lil kayak. have 4 years of use out of it so far. i honestly would be hard pressed to recommend a better budget kayak that is a sit on top. mine is sitting outside right now in the bed of my truck. love the yak, ur only other option would be a lifetime for the same price, quality is basically the same its just personal preference, the lifetime is more of a paddleboard and the sundolphin is a lil more of a real kayak. just my opinion as a broke paddler im all about them deals on products that LAST

[@NoProGoPronto]

Hi Tommy 👋🏽, good to see you! You are a genius! People spend thousands of dollars on an engineering degree for something that seems to come naturally to you. I’ve always appreciated your creativity and ingenuity. Your kayak looks like a blast. But yes, you should probably come up with something other than a toe throttle. LOL! Nice to see you again Tommy 👍🏽😃

[@HighDollarHobo]

It's great to hear from you :) I haven't come out with a video in close to a year and you're still here! That's what makes me still try to put something out there! I appreciate your time to comment! I'll keep tinkering with stuff haha! Have a wonderful day! 😀✌

[@coreyadams8104]

Use thin strips of duct tape in a checkered pattern to create a patch and then spray it with multiple coats of flex seal spray. It will never leak again. And all of the screws on that kayak have to be sealed with silicone because they all take on water. They didn’t seal them from the factory.

[@HighDollarHobo]

Never heard of duck tape flex seal method interesting.. I will be doing more plastic welding on a water tank I'll eventually get back to the kayak this summer! I appreciate the tips

[@rogersmith9506]

I'm sorry that you flipped, but I also own that kayak and have been in the ocean and didn't feel like I was going to tip. I was horizontal with quite a few waves and the kayak just roll right over um. I'm 6'2" and 132 however.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I was around 280 lbs at the time.. I think the 10ft is rated for 170lb... the weight was the issue.. I've seen a few other videos of fat guys in this kayak and its insta flip! Haha

[@paultrimble9390]

That’s the ticket. I see all these mods for cheap but they use trolling motor and battery over few hundred there. Not cheap. Urs is my kindbuild going do 10 ss sun dolphin

[@HighDollarHobo]

No kidding! Yeah I always do everything the cheapest way possible lol ;)

[@alcasahonda]

was there anything inside the pvc pipes.? like flotation foam?

[@HighDollarHobo]

Nope. Didn't glue the caps on either. I don't believe the PVC pipes have ever leaked I think foam would only add density and it would be more buoyant without foam. I've seen other guys add foam and maybe that would save you if you did develop a leak but either way I don't think those pipes will ever leak and you're good to go without foam

[@natesatrang]

Very cool bro! Awesome video!

[@nancyhainline2517]

It's been 3 years... how is the kayak holding up? I have a cheap kayak from Walmart that may need to be stabilized so I can fish from it. Let me know, please.

[@HighDollarHobo]

It's good just like the day I first took it out . Only thing I wanna do is paint it because I find it embarrassing especially when other people have better expensive kayaks with no stability tube on the side... be like riding adult bike with training wheels you know what i mean? 😂

[@bobbyh177]

not worried about the drill getting water and burning up? that's a super neat thing though!

[@HighDollarHobo]

I'm sure running 24 volts will burn it up.. haven't gotten water in it yet.. it was a thrift store drill that I'm not worried about breaking I got a few more cheap drills lined up for when it does burn up.. maybe I should take them apart and super grease them up haha

[@duanebledsoe7566]

That specific Sundolphin model, known as the Journey or Bali, or even under other names, is notoriously tippy and unstable. Weight rating is 250 pounds but thats just what it holds before sinking. I read to multiply that by 0.7 for a more usable weight and still get performance from the kayak. Based on that, 175 pounds is ALL it can hold and still be well usable. That’s one person, any motor, and all gear together.

[@HighDollarHobo]

Yeah at the time when when I first got it I was 280 lb LOL it was impossible like balancing on a tightrope. There's guys in the comments saying oh it's actually really good kayak but they probably weigh 120 lb LOL

[@duanebledsoe7566]

It’s a shame, too, because the kayak actually looks good with lots of features. When I first saw the Journey, I wanted one. I liked the high seat back, the pockets on the inside to stow fishing boxes, the rod holders, adjustable foot rests, and even just how it looked overall in general. I weighed 255 at the time and thought that’s just 5 pounds over. But after I saw a few videos on them I quickly gave up the idea. I think that’s how it got its reputation, having such a low weight rating and people not understanding just how that would affect things. Almost anybody would be too heavy for it before even adding any gear. They make this in a 12’ version if you can find it and it might be better. I couldn’t find one though so I bought a 12’ Pelican Ultimate 120. Its weight rating is 350, much more usable.

[@PrepperStateofMind]

Did the same thing my first day, know how you feel.

[@HighDollarHobo]

😂

[@hanoitripper1809]

I like yr water pump, cool idea. do u have a vid of how u installed it?

[@HighDollarHobo]

no video but i could take a short video for you and comment the link here to show you what i did. next time i make it to the storage unit possibly today!! Thanks!

[@hanoitripper1809]

@@HighDollarHobo thanks! No rush tho as I don’t have a kayak yet lol

[@HighDollarHobo]

@@hanoitripper1809 if you're near South Dakota you can buy the one in this video lol I need to let stuff go

[@hanoitripper1809]

@@HighDollarHobo thanks but I’m in Australia.. too far lol

[@HappyHands.]

That moment when you feel like you're watching an episode of the Red Green Show

[@HighDollarHobo]

If women dont find you handsome, they sure will find you handy!! I love Red Green show haha.. maybe I should of used duct tape ..

[@lot2196]

A bilge pump? Man that's funny. I got a Journey SS 10 that I'm experimenting with. I need a little more stabilization before I can try a trolling motor.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I'm told if I would have got a 12-foot kayak it would be more stable but I like having the shorter kayak it's easier to get in the back of a truck or in my van. I'm guessing I must exceed the weight limit of the 10 ft kayak or I just have really bad balance but it's always the heavy guys that flip over! Good luck with the journey!

[@lot2196]

@@HighDollarHobo Thanks Hobo, I had my first successful test today. Just temporally duct taped some Styrofoam strips to the yak for a stability test. Handled the motor weight effortlessly, now to devise a more permanent solution.

[@HighDollarHobo]

@@lot2196 I would of love to see foam taped to the sides lol! Glad your experiment was a success! Just got to get creative, I'm still thinking of new ideas for mine :)

[@thetruth4566]

@@HighDollarHobo The length of a kayak doesn't necessarily make it more stable. Width is more important. good rule of thumb for stability is to not exceed 75% of weight capacity unless you want to modify it with outriggers, which essentially adds width to a kayak.

[@watermusic711]

Best way to patch...heat up metal spatula with torch..put piece of any orange tarp or blue on hole seer it on with smoking hot spatula ..it molecularly bonds with that oily plastic

[@HighDollarHobo]

Interesting method I never heard of! Might give it a shot. thanks

[@groundskeeper5292]

Sweet setup on the motor. I just ordered 2 props to build one of those. Was thinking of putting one on each side but I like your simple hinged mount. Glad you didn't get hurt tipping over in the winter. I think Id have to find the guys who laughed at you. Very uncool. Deserves an ass whooping. Anyway great video thanks for the great info. Stay safe out there

[@HighDollarHobo]

Thanks for checking in :) The kayak project was a lot of fun! Once I finish the camper build I'll get back to the kayak to fix the throttle cable setup possibly with bike parts. Take care hope you stick around for part two whenever I may get to it.

[@bambammrc]

3m 5200 for anything under the water even holes

[@HighDollarHobo]

I'll have to pick some up b4 the next trip thanks for the tip!

[@bambammrc]

Drys to the touch in a few hours. Takes about a week to fully cure. Tape the outside. Scuff the inside a bit so it will grab good and spread over the hole. Once cured its quite permanent.

[@bryanbambrick4826]

Do you by chance work as an engineer at Ford?

[@HighDollarHobo]

I was a Ford salesman 👍 not anymore tho

[@OJA1965]

Just my opinion, but as we would say in Missouri - You really hoosiered up that kayak. ;)

[@HighDollarHobo]

I was born in Missouri sooo maybe that's why.. haha.. I was to overweight to ride in it stock something had to be done.. I think if I paint it camouflage it won't be so embarrassing looking haha..

[@OJA1965]

@@HighDollarHobo The pontoons look like a great idea. The drill trolling motor.....eh.....hey, if it works. lol

[@HighDollarHobo]

@@OJA1965 Thanks! Yeah it really amazes me how much more stability and weight it can hold.. I'm in the process of collecting parts to make it pedalled powered .. the drill is too loud on a silent lake..

[@sparkyjerred419]

Pretty cool

[@HighDollarHobo]

Thanks ol buddy :)

[@kylefrancis5983]

Man I could never laugh at someone in that situation. I’d be the first one to get over and help. I’m sorry you gotta deal with people like that

[@HighDollarHobo]

I can't blame them, if I saw a bigger guy not be able to balance in a tiny boat I might have had a chuckle too 😂 it was embarrassing tho.. live and learn..

[@donchavelodeelbajoaguan8672]

Rip 🪦 orange kayak

[@denmar355]

Lots of drill motors

[@HighDollarHobo]

Yes, I have a collection of small electric motors.. I want to make it pedal powered.. Its too noisy on the lake

[@arthurdirindinjr1792]

Just my opion but mu gut telks me not alot of guys are going to bexwilling to start using drils and sawsalls to put holes and openings in thier kayaks While its true cheaper kayaks cost only $300 its still $300 And holes in any water craft are unusually not a good thing

[@tr1ppl3M]

Im 100% not fat shaming cause im a big boy myself but those kayaks have a 250lb weight limit. Thats probly why it wasnt stable with you. Good mod tho. I have almost the exact same one. (Ozark trail angler 10)

[@HighDollarHobo]

Yep I was definitely over the limit! Although I've lost 30lbs recently and I'm still 5 lbs over the limit haha.. thanks for watching. Can't wait to take it out this summer

[@quasimodo5177]

😢

[@carlosavila6073]

😆😆

[@natchynootch6952]

So the "ultimate modded kayak" is constantly sinking? Haha. It seems pretty unsafe and not well thought out.

[@HighDollarHobo]

I don't think it would be possible to sink it.. water finds its way in no matter what so might as well have a pump if you have a pump which I did.. lol

[@fvm2116]

Hey Tommy hope you are well. Melting the plastic is a great way to fix a hole in a kayak however it only works great on small hole like screw hole for a go pro mount or such. If you have a piece of the scrap left from the cut out in side to bolt on floats try to melt it into hole and if possible a square larger over hole on inside of kayak. I personally have had the best luck melting the plastic with a soldering iron ( big one ) Just don't breath the nasty smoke

[@HighDollarHobo]

Ford van man! Hey never saw you commented! Yeah I still need to fix that hole haha.. Think I'll be taking the van and kayak out this weekend! Good hearing from you hope all is well buddy!

[@6MABBOTT]

Turned it off once i saw the ripped jeans

[@HighDollarHobo]

You know it's funny I haven't worn ripped jeans since I made this video.. I guess my girlfriend takes better care of me than I took care of myself back then.. thanks for your comment.

[@scottatwood1203]

Omg I'm going to fall asleep