DIY Kayak and Canoe Stabilizers

This channel is about RVing, canoeing, kayaking, camping,fishing,and hiking. Throw in some cooking and travel just for fun. Work camper and Workamping.

[@BlueOriginAire]

Thank You for the clear upclose video to show how it's pieced together. The other channels never do. 🤪✍🏼

[@brianneff3219]

Great video. Thank you. I like your idea of placing the flotation tube and PVC back a little so as to not effect your rowing motion. Very clevor. God Bless🙏

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you and thanks for watching.😃👍

[@TheRenegade2424]

Thank you this was very helpful and informative🤙🏽

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I hope this helped with your project.😁👍

[@jjrjr6016]

You sure did a good job so glad you didn’t go for the flagpole holders , people take notes on this guys ingenuity, this is a good example here . That 3/4 pvc and pool noodles won’t cut it , sometimes we have to humble ourselves and let other brains do our thinking for us

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for the great compliments 😃 I hoped this would help someone or at least give them some ideas. Thanks for watching and commenting.👍

[@Yelladog78]

Thank you for making this video!

[@BlaneysChannel]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching and I hope it gave you some ideas 😁

[@Yelladog78]

@@BlaneysChannel definitely, going to Lowes to get supplies after work! I'm 45 & 250lbs you probably saved my life 😆

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@Yelladog78 lol. Never been a hero before. Good luck.

[@nancyhainline2517]

Thanks. I have bumpers, already. Your framework design is a big help. Yeah, when the knees go, it's hard to get in and out. I practice all winter getting up from a low seat, so that I can get out of my sit in yak. Don''t like to go out alone.

[@BlaneysChannel]

Good morning. Yes ,over time the old knees and other joints want to get stiff and be hard to get along with. It's best to keep moving any chance you get. I went on a pretty hard hike yesterday and felt better at the end of the hike than at the beginning. I always say, "you can't because you don't. I hope this video helped you. Thanks for watching and commenting. Have a great time on the water.

[@JohnLee-ud2gm]

Just convinced me.I'm going to do it. Thanks

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@JohnLee-ud2gm I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks for watching and good luck on your project.👍

[@apr8hd]

I haven't been out in my yak I several years. Mine is a sit in and with the back problems plus old age getting in and out is tough! I need to give this a try, thanks!

[@BlaneysChannel]

These things work really well. You can buy them for $175 to $300. I have about $50 in these DIY.

[@fredrichenning1367]

How long before all that plastic fell apart?

[@cocinayaventurachapincita7959]

Hi I like the way you show how you do that work and I would like to have the size of the pvc you used

[@BlaneysChannel]

The PVC is 1 1/4 inch. I hope this helps you.😀 Thanks for watching and commenting.👍

[@martintopp1399]

HI there.Thanks for sharing your project.This is a great idea. I'm looking at getting a fishing kayak and I will look at adding you stabilizer pontoon setup.Great Idea. Thanks for the video...NZ..

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you for your comments. You will love kayak fishing. It is the most fun way to fish I have ever done. Good luck to you.👍😃

[@RVsbladesnthangs]

I liked the information I would have liked to have seen the floats while you were out in the water to give us a better idea of the hight variables. But I definitely appreciate the information, thank you very much. Rip'n Lips in Amarillo Texas!

[@tomcollier2406]

Make sure your air hole is on the down side that's got to be the quote of the day

[@BlaneysChannel]

LOL😀. I guess so.

[@davidhendrix4612]

Why does it need to be down?

[@HicksHooks]

Cool Setup! I set my canoe up with similar stabilizer arms.

[@BlaneysChannel]

Great, these things worked really well. Thanks for watching.👍😀

[@kennethrexwinkle800]

I have a pelican castaway 116 very similar to what you have. If it isn't a huge hassle could you post a list of what you used and lengths please. It was a great video and I enjoyed it.

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching the video. I hope it was helpful. I really didn't make a list of parts. I did this "by ear" as I went along. I used the thick PVC that you find in the plumbing department not the thin stuff you would find for garden work. I made the main crossmember that runs across the kayak 4 feet long. the wider you make this the more stability you will have. The other PVC cuts you make will be determined by the size of the bumper floats you buy. I made a modification to my stabilizers after using them. Instead of them going out from the crossmember and turning down for about 3 or 4 inches, I now have them running strait out. When you build yours I would suggest this to you. Less drag this way. You are better of if they barely touch the water. You still can't capsize and it is much easier to paddle.

[@arthurjohnson1014]

great stuff

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you. I hope this helped you. Thanks for watching and commenting.😃👍

[@579gil]

New sub here thank you for the great idea

[@BlaneysChannel]

These floats have worked out real well. I hope you give them a try. My kayak is way more stable than it used to be. Thanks for watching and subbing.👍

[@accessmusic]

This was great. thanks!!

[@BlaneysChannel]

I hope this helps you. Thanks for watching and commenting.👍

[@rickzakowski8968]

What size are the boat bumpers, length and diameter?

[@BlaneysChannel]

They are 22 inches by 6 inches. Hope this helps.

[@doodleman0170]

What all material was used in the video trying to write a list

[@BlaneysChannel]

I used schedule 40 PVC. That’s about all I can tell you. You will have to figure out dimensions for your kayak or canoe. Wish I could be more helpful .

[@floki5674]

Thank you for the video

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@LadyStrzygaDiscoversThePast]

Great job! Support and greetings from Poland :)

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you. Nice of you.

[@freedomfishingOH]

Great idea that turned out really good!

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you. Worked a lot better than I had imagined.😁

[@BlaneysChannel]

I hope there was something in the video you could use. Thank you for watching.

[@travishoxie2597]

Love this!!! Thanx buddy!!! New sub!!!

[@BlaneysChannel]

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. Thank you for watching and subbing. I don’t think there is any better way to enjoy the outdoors than in a canoe or kayak. It puts you right at ground level with all the flora and fauna you could ever imagine. Let me know how this works out for you. I want to hear about the adventure you are about to have.

[@Papasmurf89]

It ain’t got no gas in it…

[@BlaneysChannel]

Depends on what I had for dinner the night before.😁

[@spgilmorespgilmore]

Instead of using PVC glue (around here, you might find "Oatey" brand "hot blue" I think), use the 2-part primer / cement. The glue gives you less than one second to fit the pieces. The cement will give you 5 or 10 seconds. It makes all the difference.

[@BlaneysChannel]

Your suggestion is a good one I will remember. That extra time is valuable. I must not have mentioned that I didn’t use PVC glue. Believe it or not I used Gorilla glue (original) and it has held now for over 2 years. Thanks for watching and commenting. Thanks for the tip also😀

[@dougbond6007]

I have found that using straps instead of u bolts puts less stress on the pipe less likely to snap when under pressure also using a 1x4 treated under the cross pipe spreads the stress on the kayak hull the outriggers works very well

[@BlaneysChannel]

I don’t disagree with you. A 👍 good idea. I haven’t had any problems with mine though. I mostly fish on quiet water so less stress I would imagine. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@sskyle227]

❤

[@christheguy6697]

I might borrow your design to help add some flotation to the back of my yak where I e added a trolling motor and battery. Thank you, sir.

[@BlaneysChannel]

I’m happy to hear that I was helpful. Good luck on your project. Thanks for watching.👍😃

[@raymcknight7096]

Swap ends with your paddle!

[@BlaneysChannel]

Lol, I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is a cheap paddle that came with this kayak. I broke my good one down in Florida. Have bought a new one since making this video. This must be an April fools joke. But, thanks for watching.😁👍

[@BlaneysChannel]

A five and one half minute video about this paddle just posted. Please watch.

[@redacted397]

@blaneyschannel He is saying that the paddle blades need to be reversed. The blades should be positioned to scoop the water like a spoon as you paddle forward. 14:36 All you would need to do is hold the paddle out in front of you and rotate it horizontally 180 degrees.

[@richardmarsh7378]

Great job !

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you Richard. These outriggers have worked out really well. Thanks for watching and commenting.😃

[@alimap3000]

Well done! Great video and commentary. Enjoyed watching it. I’m planning to implement something similar on my canoe

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. I hope this helps you out. I adapted these floats to my canoe also. The floats work well. I’m happy with them.😁

[@BlueOriginAire]

@@BlaneysChannel , I'm about to add this idea to my 14' canoe. Today l receive the new trolling motor l ordered. Thank You again for posting this video. It will help me enjoy my earlier retirement in FL without worrying about tipping over.

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@BlueOriginAire I used to have a tandem canoe I used a trolling motor on. It worked out real well.. The only thing I would advise you to do is study deep cycle batteries. I learned the hard way and killed my first one. You can only run them down to 50% power or they will slowly die. If you attempt to travel a long distance have an extra battery. Also have a gauge to check the battery every once in a while. HAPPY CANOEING 🛶

[@tgs989]

Great video-Thanks for posting-Tim in MI

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you. I hope it helped you with some ideas.😁

[@stanw4760]

Now we can go back to Lake Guntersville and catch a few big ones not worrying about the wind.🐟

[@BlaneysChannel]

Who likes the wind? I don't care what boat a person is in. Stay safe,stay well.👍😁

[@WesLovelace]

Great design with the use of backers under the plastic and the schedule 40 PVC!! You get quite a rigid structure and excellent flotation with those outriggers!!

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks, these things worked really well. I’m going to start adapting them to my canoe today.

[@craxyd9342]

dang, you sound like mountain man from duck dynasty

[@BlaneysChannel]

LOL!!! Alabama and Louisiana are pretty close. FYI, we have mountains in Alabama, there are none in Louisiana. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MikeC-my4lf]

Do they provide additional bouyancy?

[@BlaneysChannel]

Yes they do. Quite a bit. Thanks for watching.😃

[@entertain4me73]

Why do you hold your paddle backwards?

[@BlaneysChannel]

This is an old paddle of mine. It came with the kayak when I bought it. Both sides are exactly the same. No front or back. I broke my other paddle and hadn’t bought a new one before I posted this video. I have bought a new paddle. Thanks for watching and commenting.😁👍

[@entertain4me73]

@@BlaneysChannel You need to spin the paddle 180 degrees so the cupped side is grabbing the water for better propulsion.

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@entertain4me73 I’m trying to tell you there is no cupped side. Both sides of this paddle are the same. It is like a two blade oar. No cup, no front, no back.

[@entertain4me73]

@@BlaneysChannel It sure looks like it’s a cupped paddle in the video!

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@entertain4me73 You are the second person to say this. I’m going to film this paddle Saturday and show you. Watch for a video Saturday afternoon.

[@ah2347]

This is a nice design, thank you for sharing.

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thank you. Thanks for watching.

[@Mightymetalworx]

question how did you mount the metal brackets through the Kayak? Great video

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching. There aren’t any brackets I don’t guess. Maybe you can explain further. I just drilled through the pvc pipe and used bolts and washers. I’m saying washers but they are long metal strips that come with u-bolts. It has held with no problems. More questions? Just ask.

[@Mightymetalworx]

@@BlaneysChannel thanks for fast response. So I guess what I am trying to ask is. When you bolted down how did you access the bolts on the long pvc connected to you Kayak? Thanks again

[@BlaneysChannel]

Gotcha, I have a dry compartment behind my seat. I removed the cap and dry bag allowing me to get my hand inside the kayak. That is how I tightened the bolts. I believe someone could use something like a molly bolt or wall fastener to accomplish the task.

[@tmballard3575]

im an fart too

[@BlaneysChannel]

Lol. Welcome to the fart club.

[@donhuynh5186]

Thank for the idea sir

[@BlaneysChannel]

I hope you found something you can use. Thanks for watching.😁

[@waynedavies3185]

What size of boat fenders did you use, and how far away di you mount them from the kayak body? Curious....

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching. They measure 22 inches from end to end. Mine are mounted 21 inches from the kayak on center. The main thing I would look out for is how far back you can mount them. You want them far enough back so that you won’t hit them while paddling. I have moved mine back further since making this video. I suggest you sit in/on your boat and check how far back you stroke. Good luck with them.

[@waynedavies3185]

@@BlaneysChannel ... Thanks for reply. No need to worry about having enough room to paddle, as mine are on a canoe, and are extended well away from the hull sides. I use the same sized boat fenders.

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@waynedavies3185 👍

[@waynedavies3185]

@@BlaneysChannel Many factors should be looked at here, not just the fact that an Air Blatter (filled with air pressure), is used to stable the craft. You want the vessel harder to flip over to make it safer. Therefore weight also has to be taken into the equation. When one blatter sinks under the water, you also need the weight of the opposite side to help bring the sunk Blatter, back up to the surface. The father away from the hull the Blatter is installed, the harder it is to flip the craft. More resistance is involved here in trying to sink a Blatter under the water, which would end up in flipping a water craft if they are mounted too close to the crafts hull. The father away from the craft's hull they are installed, the greater the stability these batters will provide. Think about it folks. Air Batters should be extended, at least at half the length of the craft on either side. It would take more weight shifting by the rider, to even sink these air blatters under the water's surface. You want a really stable canoe, or kayak, extend these air stabilizers, father away from the vessels hull on either side. It makes the craft appear as if it is (at least), half it's length wide in the water. Too close to the hull, won't work as well as having them extended farther out and away from the hull on either side, if you want to stand while fishing, or don't want the vessel to flip over under any condition on a lake. On a kayak, I would say, extended at least 3-4 ft away from the hull, for a starter. On a 10 ft. canoe, at least half the length away from the hulls. That's 5 feet on either side. When a person stands in a vessel, you're at least 5 to 6 feet top heavy with your weight, so by extending the Air Blatter's out father, it makes it even harder to flip the vessel, if not impossible ( doesn't mean you might lose your balance and fall in, but the vessel won't flip over, sending your equipment to the bottom).

[@BlaneysChannel]

@@waynedavies3185 I don’t disagree with your physics. No doubt the further out the outrigger the more stable the craft. I think a lot of this depends on how you use your watercraft. I do a lot of stream (creek) paddling and fishing. Extended outriggers would make it almost impossible to pass downed trees or narrow passageways. I have rocked band forth in my kayak and canoe and think I would have to try to turn it over. I can actually enter my canoe from shore without getting my feet wet. I made a video about adapting these outriggers to my canoe. It was maybe 2 or 3 videos after this one. There is a good look at them too. Check it out.

[@paultrimble9390]

Nice

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks and thanks for watching.

[@samholmes12345678]

What size fenders did you use

[@BlaneysChannel]

Thanks for watching. The bumpers,if that is what you're calling fenders measure 22 inches long by 6 1/2 inches around. They do the job. My cheap kayak is now as stable as a more expensive one. You can find these dock bumpers at most large box sporting goods stores and on Amazon. 😀 Good luck on your project.

[@samholmes12345678]

@@BlaneysChannel thanks mate I am in uk we call them fenders thanks mate

[@BlaneysChannel]

Sam Holmes Never to late for us “Yanks” to learn good English. Thanks for the lesson.👍😃

[@marzsit9833]

@@samholmes12345678 experienced boaters in the us call them fenders as well, but landlubbers call them bumpers or buoys or floats....

[@OrfeasPapadopoulos]

Hello from Greece. May I ask you a question... what about the speed of kayak? Is more difficult to paddle when the stabilizers are on kayak?

[@BlaneysChannel]

You add some drag. If you are going to do this, try to position the outriggers so they barely touch the water. You only need them if you start to tilt to the right or left anyway Thanks for watching and good luck to you.😁