Fixings for Fitting Accessories to Kayaks - Screws, Bolts, Trifold Rivets and Well Nuts

There are hundreds of accessories now available for kayaks and kayak fishing. Many of these involve drilling into your kayaks hull to install the accessory. This video runs through different fittings and fixings you can use to attach accessories to your kayak including fitting examples on kayak plastic.
I discuss using Self Tapping Screws, Bolts with Washers and Nuts, Marine Trifold Rivets and Rubber Well Nuts on kayaks and look at the advantages of disadvantage of each fixing.
A must watch for anyone looking to rig up their kayak with accessories!
More information on kayak fishing can be found on my website here: www.kayakfishing.blog/
Buy kayak fixings and fittings from Cornwall Canoes here: www.cornwall-canoes.co.uk/kay...
#kayakDIY #kayakoutfitting #kayakrigging

[@skywalkerimperial4350]

Very good video. Excellent explanations and visuals aids! Thank You

[@Song-mf6cq]

Attention to details and showing step by step with props are really helpful! Great video!

[@Song-mf6cq]

I followed your step by step EXACTLY & came out incredible. Really a great set-up I have, thanks to you!

[@marccloutier3501]

really helpfull !!!! im planning on upgrading my kayak seat soon so that was the video I needed !!! tri fold pop rivet ordered !

[@JR-ot4im]

Thank you for taking the time to put together this enormously helpful and thoroughly informative demo!

[@bizboomer]

Outstanding and much needed info/visuals. Thanks!

[@hectoralers84]

So well done! So informative! Just what I was looking for! Thank you for your time to teach and educate!

[@dodetoth]

Cheers man. Really useful info and great to see how each type of fixing works. Needing to do a bit of work on my yaks to tighten up some fixings that have worked loose over the years.

[@DavidRomero-qk6kh]

Excellent video, compares all the types of fasteners and their applications. Thanks for the information.

[@patrickennis4612]

Good video, thank you! Remember to get 25mm long well nuts. Seen lots of well nuts with 25mm screws labeled as "25 mm well nuts and screws". 25mm well nuts use a 40mm screws... Pay attention to details and get the right mounting hardware!

[@domenicaloisio5136]

Thank you for a clear and thorough explanation, this was a big help.

[@jasonhumphrey367]

Thanks; really informative. Liked being able to see how all the fittings formed behind the plastic. Great video!

[@kicoiraola1637]

This video has soo much value for me!!! Amazing

[@albertoquijanoruiz903]

Good video, better research, great explanation and demonstration. It help me a lot!! Thanks!

[@keithlawrence9538]

Quite valuable info, professionally presented..thank you.

[@kalindaswim4710]

I really needed your video! Thank you for explaining everything! It was very informative.

[@darrenquirk2269]

Excellent video. Thank you. I've always been very hesitant to drill holes in my kayak. I'm now much confident about making a proper job of it.

[@kevinforde1720]

Nice, clear explanation of pros and cons of each fixing and how to install. I will be refurbing a bunch of kayaks for my scout group and replacing a lot of damaged deck eyes and other fittings, so this was a big help. Thank you.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment Kevin and glad you found it useful 😀

[@mley8374]

New to kayaking. Great video for us newbies.

[@leswyse]

Thanx a lot . I'm about to attach Lee boards and stabilizer to go with the sail. Your excellent explanations just saved me future problems. Les

[@Natbasher_]

Great vid matey thank you 👍🏼 - you see so many vids on KZbin of people attaching various accessories and they tell you to ‘use this method’ or ‘use whatever method you prefer’ but without actually explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each one to make choosing it easier! 😂

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Natbasher_ thanks for the comment! I echo your thoughts and I wanted to nail the very basics of kayak rigging before I go harping on about fitting things to kayaks in future videos. Glad you found it useful! 😃

[@patricksatter1621]

Excellent examples and details. Great job man, thank you.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Patrick, appreciate the comment 😊

[@philipkimsey6832]

Great job presenting the info!!! You made it all so clear and understandable with your excellent visuals. Looking to install anchor trolley and was confused about how best mount the hardware.....that is until I saw your video. Thanks!!!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Phil, glad to hear the video was of help to you! 😀

[@emilymarble1174]

Good product, easy to put together. Keeps my rod’s organized!

[@michaelmnmnguyen]

Great posting man. Really helpful

[@marshallscotts]

Thank you. Love a good visual example.

[@JavierOcampoBrujOcampo]

Thank you very much for this video, I needed to understand how these adapters work so I can install them. Thanks for your explanation. From Veracruz, Mexico.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Javier, it’s great to know where in the world my videos are being seen 😀

[@yousweetpotato1]

So helpful! Saved me a lot of error and problems.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Glad the video helped 😀

[@donnatre]

Thanks for making this clip, I really enjoyed learning about these methods. I really needed to see this. Now I know exactly what to do and what product to get for my kayaks. Really excited. Cheers.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Donna, glad to hear that the video has helped 😀

[@ivonnelly]

Well done. Concise and clear. Thanks.

[@dukeonthewater]

Great video, for my no internal access kayak, I started off using well nuts, nothing but trouble, then I discovered rivets, a different world!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Trifold Rivets are definitely my preferred choice if I can’t use Bolts/Washers/Nuts. It’s surprising how strong those rivets are!

[@thomasp4482]

A really useful wee video thank you

[@sed6]

Very informative, thanks!

[@hectorgodinez4096]

Inspiring and useful tips, I’ll be using for mounting accessories onto hard to reach areas thanks

[@RobRilTube]

Very well done video. Thank you for the information.

[@geoffhalpin5976]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@guytrout7101]

This is a GREAT video that shows the different types of attachments for items to a kayak. The best part shows how each attachment works on the inside of the kayak. Author also showed and explained other important information to make the job a success.

[@whodat7772]

Great job and thank you,Sir.

[@jalo28]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video. You have helped me immensely with a few Costume Projects I have. At times, I am unable to get behind something or need a solution in really tight places to support head gear or attachments.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

That’s great to hear, I’m glad you found it useful!

[@joshuagibson2520]

What kind of costumes are you doing? Is Batman one?

[@redyellowpink01]

Thank you for this video. I just ordered some accessories and was confronted with all four types of fixings! Now I know which to use

[@CornishKayakAngler]

No problem! I’m glad the video helped with your accessory fixings! 😎

[@drews1941]

Thank you very much for this video, I need to attach a stand up strap and was looking for a secure way to attach the pad eye. This was great!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment Drew, glad you found this video useful 😊

[@rikitikimasala]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@mickgoodbe235]

Excellent video mate - all details well covered - thanks! 👍🇬🇧

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Mick! Glad you found the video useful 👍🏻🎣

[@onlinebusinesspost7168]

Good stuff, very helpful. Well done video, thanks :)

[@antonioortiz4544]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@romelfernandez7013]

Thank you! Great demonstration

[@smartkiltedman]

Proper job mate....good tips, cheers.

[@ThePikeHunter1]

Well done. Thank you very much for your video. You gave me some awesome ideas how to do it on my Ascend 128x kayak. Greetings from Calgary, Canada. Keep up the good work.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Adrian, good luck with the kayak rigging 😎

[@ThePikeHunter1]

@@CornishKayakAngler thank you bud

[@claudiano_jr]

Thanks a lot. Very well explained. Can´t get it wrong now.

[@diegojamesrobles7405]

Just a great video!

[@noahsvideos]

This is super helpful!

[@Dan_5.0]

Thanks for the video man. Just bought a kayak and I was looking at ways to customize it and add a fishfinder and rod holders and stuff

[@shellymanning5666]

Fantastic!

[@NortadoLoco]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment! Glad you found the video helpful 😀

[@ronmcc4]

Very well done video and very informative too. I’ll be using this info to rig my Old Town when it is delivered - hopefully in September.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Ron, glad you have found the video useful. Hope the install goes well with the Old Town 😎

[@casperjah1]

Great Video thanks

[@geoffkennedy5102]

Very useful video. Much appreciated

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Geoff 😀

[@drewbirnbaum7504]

Excellent video.

[@JosephWarner]

Awesome vid!

[@mrsixfigures02]

Awesome vid! Exact information I need to begin my yak mods. Thanks

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Glad the video was helpful! Happy modding 😎

[@pmm422]

Thanks just bought a new Kayak and needed to know the best way to customize it.

[@terrellevans7340]

Thanks this help me out alot

[@hankventurez]

Damn good video mate! Cheers from America.

[@thewanderer8]

Really good video. Thanks.

[@DrJuan-ev8lu]

My fav is rivet nut plus. Similar to trifold pop rivet but stronger. And much better than standard rivet nuts which are akin to ordinary pop rivets. They produce a threaded hole that accept the matching machine screw. Works great on sheet metal such as on cars. But with care they do OK on plastic and fiberglass hulls as well as aluminum boats. I tend to use smaller sizes below M6 to avoid drilling large holes that rubber expanding nuts require. They have a lot of strength and are a step up from jack nuts too.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Phew thanks for explaining all that. I have an old ocean kayak and its riveted fittings - handles and straps are somewhat sun rotted ready for replacing.

[@bdiax]

Wow I’m glad I found this video before I started drilling 😅 I think I’ll go buy some trifold rivets was gonna use only rubber well nuts but that trifold looks mint

[@kobe34081]

Great video. I now follow, commented and liked this page.

[@nhcaveman1]

Great video, very informative. I'm looking to mount a Watersnake 24 lb thrust motor to my Wilderness Ride 135 and have absolutely no access to my hull. I was considering Well Nuts but didn't really know much about them, and now I feel Trifold Rivets would be the better option. Thanks.

[@Wheel333]

Perfect thanks 🙏❤️🙏

[@donaldmarx1]

Thank you so much for the video!!! I just ordered a new kayak and I plan to remove all screws to seal them with silicone. Then I'm going to make sure all the mounted hardware is solidly affixed to the yak. I am also thinking about replacing the self tapping screws with the tri-fold rivets.

[@bethsmith1003]

Thank you!!!

[@Jopacob]

Brilliant

[@BadSinHunter]

Nice.. Your the best

[@StripedTurkey]

Great video, thanks! BTW love the way you have your fishing room set up, could you do a video on how you organized your stuff, the bins and shelving? Thanks!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks! That may be the subject for a future video, I have a ton of content filmed, just need to find time to edit and publish 😀

[@TexasPapa13]

Great video. I used the hardware that came with my yak anchor trolley. Think I’m going to unscrew it all and add rivets.

[@danareed1656]

great video! had trouble hearing you had to use head phones! im a newbee and trying to learn ! thank you

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

Definitely the most comprehensive video on the topic, thanks! While you mention using sealant a few times, what about the rubber rings that usually come with the boat pop rivets? Which side of the fixture should they go against: underneath or on top?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Martin, thanks for the comment! The rubber o-rings on the trifold rivets go under the head of the rivet against the material you are fixing down. Just use a drop of sealant though for piece of mind - a fluid sealant will fill all the space and fully seal a fitting!

[@atlantamoon]

You ripper. Cheers!

[@jonschroedinger8360]

This was the KZbin video that was missing. You did a great job and are very informative on the precise function of each. Looking to make a custom mount on a lifetime tamarack for a trolling motor. Would you say a large enough number of trifolds would seat that properly? Also considering just doing a track mount based system to make it modular

[@dc85238]

Thanks for this great video brother. What size are the self tapping screws you used in the beginning of the video?

[@bradnewman13]

Dude thank you so much for this video. Just bought 2 tamaracks for my fiance and I and this was super informative. I ordered a bunch of stuff on Amazon after watching this feeling loads more confident in what kind of hardware I needed to properly mount the accessories I wanted to install. One question though, what's the bouncy rope people usually use to tether their phones dry bag with that's not normal bungie cord and not normal paracord. I've seen it in videos but cant recall the name. Thanks again for this video!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment! Glad you found the video useful. Hmmm not sure on the phone leash cord - use a small coiled leash called the Nite-Eze Tether. Not sure if this is the sort of thing you had in mind?

[@scottthemortgagegurutennan9877]

Close. Bungee cord or bungee shock cord

[@jeremybeam7043]

Just found your channel and I am enjoying the great detailed content. Do you have any advice on removing rivets? I have some used kayaks that I need to replace some accessories that have been attached with rivets.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment Jeremy. Removing rivets is never as easy as installing them but I have had success using a sharp / new drill bit (5mm) on a high speed setting on the drill. Basically drill into the centre of the rivet head until it hits the shaft below, at which point it usually breaks up or falls into the kayak.

[@andreamills6357]

Very informative. Thank you. I needed to attached 2 cleats to my kayak and so decided to use the well nut option since I couldn’t reach through to the back. Three cleats worked perfectly but the 4th was trouble. The neoprene nut never bulged out & I was able to pull the whole thing out afterward. What would cause that?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Andrea. Sounds like the brass insert may have pulled free in the rubber causing it not to bulge (this can happen if the well nuts are over tightened). I have had some batches of well nuts where the rubber is very tough and struggles to bulge easily - the trick with these is to warm them up in a mug of hot water to soften the rubber a bit. Perhaps just try again with some new well nuts.

[@ignisfatuus07]

Hi bro, best video on the topic, congrats! I think there's a thing called threaded rivets, you rivet the thing into the plastic and then you drive a bolt into it. I dunno if they're stainless steel though. Have you tried them? Btw, video sound is indeed very low 😊

[@scottfuller5612]

Great video, thanks! What about using epoxy or glue to avoid drilling into the kayak? Thinking of adding a mid ships handle on my surf ski and worried about drilling into a thin fiberglass/kevlar hull.

[@donaldmarx1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKrYlYqahMylhMU

[@markkirby7600]

Thanks Liam, great video, never seen Sikaflex before but will be using it in future! Just out of interest, how long does silicone last before you would be thinking of a redo or expecting leaks assuming the bolts were pretty tight to start off with in the drill holes?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

I’d expect silicone to last a couple seasons before you might want to consider resealing the fittings. To be honest it’s unlikely they would ever degrade to the point of causing a leak unless you are storing you kayak in direct sunlight all the time. Excess silicon that dries to the hull does tend to get a bit tatty after a little while. Sikaflex tends to be more hard wearing in this respect and would unlikely ever need redoing.

[@josephshaff5194]

Fits are in the tables close is good. Nominal will give the Drill bit to use. Clamshells. Doing a Perimeter Line soon. I'm thinking everybody has clamshells but if the yak is full of water that's 8 lbs / Gal. Lifting Eyelets are the other option but they stick up 1/2 in. they could snag. Both on the way.

[@VibeFirstDieLater]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@gasgiant7122]

Great tutorial, clear instructions. I have a pelican rustler sit on kayak but it only has rubbish slightly moulded handles/ grips on each side so I want to fit some decent handles for loading on to my car, would you use trifold rivets? Thank you👍

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks! The Rustler isn’t too heavy so handles with trifold rivets should be fine. Perhaps try to find some handles that have a two hole fixing point at either end of the handle, that way you have 4 rivets holding each handle on for extra strength

[@shermanhofacker4428]

I would like to see how much force would be needed to pull the different anchors out of the plastic. Yours is the only video I have seen that used a bit of kayak plastic to demonstrate installation and would be ideal for such testing.

[@kathyn3978]

Bought my first kayak and want to install a pair of handles I bought since mine is a sit-on and difficult to grab onto without a cockpit. Your video answered all my questions about attaching hardware. Thanks! Heading to the hardware store now then the sporting goods store to look for foam golf balls to make scupper plugs too! FYI I heard you just fine😊

[@broncokid]

Great video! I am wondering if you have a list of parts and or sizes you use in your videos. I am in particular interested in a parts list for the trolley you built. I am having a hard time finding the vinyl balls and am not sure how to source them. Also the size of the rivets you are using would be helpful as well. Would pad eyes use the same size rivets as the zigzag cleat for the anchor rope or do you use the same size for everything? And if so what size? Thank you so much for all the great info in your videos!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi John, sorry for the delayed reply. Are you based in the UK? If you are, all the anchor rigging accessories can be found at the below link: www.cornwall-canoes.co.uk/kayak-fishing/kayak-fishing-accessories.htm The trifold rivets are 5mm diameter (they come in one standard length), as are the stainless bolts shown in the video (20-25mm long does for most applications). 5mm diameter fixings can be used for both the pad eyes and the zig zag cleat. Hope this helps!

[@Princarlee]

Love your video!!! Have you ever attached a trolling motor to the middle of a standard lifetime kayak?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Carlee, thanks for the comment. Lifetime are not a brand we get here in the UK so wouldn’t be able to advise one way or the other on fitting a motor to one. Sorry I can’t help!

[@haykm783]

Great video. I am installing anchor trolley , and one side i can only use well nuts. I listened the instructions and drilled 3/8 hole and now as you mentioned rubber is spinning and the attachment is coming off. I used adhesive glue also. Do you think i should go one size bigger on the well nut and tighten? Thanks

[@vincenash1358]

Hi thank you for this great video !! After your great review of the tarpon 120 I have bought one, I want to fit leg straps but need to fit some fixings and this has really helped , could you let me where you can buy the fixings and the eyelets ? is there a kayak store that sells them , thanks in advance

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Vince, if you are based in the UK then Cornwall Canoes sells various pad eyes and fixings that could work! www.cornwall-canoes.co.uk If not then check out any good kayak store or marine chandlery store

[@johnpsarras9438]

Thanks for this very useful posting. I am about to install footpegs on my RTM Rytmo and wanted some opinion if self tapping screws will be strong enough to keep them in place. Else as I understand from your video only option will be the Rivets as I dont have access from the inside of the hull. Thank you.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi John, Does your Rytmo not have access through the front hatch? My Rytmo Angler had open access to the hull and it would be easy to reach in and do up bolts/washers/nuts through the front hatch. Rivets will work fine though but it would depend on the footrests and if they are shallow enough at the fixing point to allow the rivet to compress enough behind the plastic.

[@johnpsarras9438]

@@CornishKayakAngler Hi Liam.Unfortunately I got the standard model which is missing the footrest and the front hatch basin is molded in...In order to get access to the inside I need to cut it but don't have the plastic basin. Still undecided if I can have it without the basin as I use it for fitness...not fishing yet By the way I get now the opportunity to help you for the review you made on Rytmo in Kayak Fishing..its what made me to decide and get it and I am happy that made this decision. I plan to soon start fishing as well with the Rytmo but need to get fishing equipment and do some mods on the kayak... For mounting this I will check first with Rivets as you suggest.. and if they dont fit I will go to self tapping screws...

[@SheReelz]

Great video thanks! Have you ever tried the well nuts on foot rests, would they be strong enough?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Eugenia, thanks for your comment. I’m sure well nuts would hold footrests fine but well nuts seems to have a little bit of play in the fixing due to the rubber construction. I’m not sure how solid the footrests would feel but perhaps with at least 3 well nuts used then you would get a good hold. I would try to use bolts and nuts where possible.

[@SheReelz]

@@CornishKayakAngler thanks will do!

[@RhysFishes]

Would you advise taking the same approach with a fibreglass kayak or would these approaches likely damage the fibreglass?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

I’d perhaps not use self tapping screws on a glass boat, as you may risk cracking the composite as you screw in. You can get away with screws on thicker hulled glass boats but glass kayaks tend to have a fairly thin wall.

[@sidanielme2547]

Great informative video... I need to fit 2 x carry handles one to either side of one of my Ocean kayak Frenzys, I have no access to fit a nut and bolt combo would you use tri fold rivets or well nuts? Thanks

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the comment. I would use trifold rivets - the Ocean Kayak replacement handle kits used to come with them - if possibly use two rivets on each end of the handle for extra strength 👍🏻

[@sidanielme2547]

@@CornishKayakAngler star man, appreciate your reply

[@kamouraska876]

Great video.. those eyes! My gosh