Star Rival Fish: Installing the Ultralight 1103 on an Inflatable Kayak

[@TygerByte]

Thanks for the in depth install. Just got my first inflatable kayak and this video will help tremendously.

[@TommyTorresDesign]

Great project, Jeff. Haven't ever considered an inflatable kayak before, but now I'm kind of having an itch to do one. Love your vids on how to's and DIY stuff. They inspire me.

[@TheLittleStuff]

They go so shallow and are super easy to throw around at creative access points!

[@tomstrunk1232]

Heads up! I purchased 4 Mightymount switches for my kayak and proceeded to install them on my Star Rival Fish kayak. One of the screw bags for inflatable kayaks contained 2 short screws and 2 LONG SCREWS! If I didn’t notice these 2 long screws mistakenly placed in this bag, then I would have punctured my new kayak! I informed Yakattack about this quality control issue.

[@andrewwelch9546]

Dude, my wife bought us inflatable paddle boards to use as travel boats while camping this summer. I was mildly interested but mostly dismissive. Then I used it a few times. First I tried to stand up on it which was laughable then but I sat on it and paddled it that way and it was pretty fast, tracked straight, turned easily, super light weight, not too much effort to set up and break down. So I bought an aluminum larry chair and strapped that on to it. After that I was completely sold. I thought I was crazy but watching you rig yours out makes me believe I am not; that stupid $400 inflatable paddle board (mine not yours), after putting a seat on it, is one of the best paddling and fishing boats I have ever owned. I have since added a milk crate and 30 qt engel with rod holders to my rigging set up. I keep my crate on the front to brace my feet and hold tackle and anchor. I am constantly answering questions about it while I am out on it. I haven't considered motorizing it but I am looking at rigging some type of kick-up skeg for river runs. I have broken my shallowest fins twice already but I have gotten on to fish every time I've had it out. An inflatable will always have a spot in the arsenal now. When the el cheapo SUP I am currently rocking fails on me I will look at the star or nrs boat. The biggest advantages I can see are multiple air chambers and the large side tubes create a softer chine if you get caught sideways in some current. The one I am using now has a single chamber that creates a harder chine that is a little less forgiving on the river.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad you figured out how nice they are as a fishing platform. Shallow draft, stability and stealth are the biggest advantages.

[@BradHix]

Such a cool setup. Makes me want to get an inflatable

[@HarryMeraklis]

Hey bud! Great video. Thinking rigging up my Star inflatable.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Do it Harry! Hope you had a great 2021 season.

[@HarryMeraklis]

@@TheLittleStuff 👊🏼

[@Silent-Hunts]

amazing kayak

[@chandlerfoltz9154]

Hey Jeff I am considering buying one of these kayaks second hand. Is there any major differences or improvements between this boat and the nrs kuda?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yes. The Star Rival Fish has a mesh screen scupper under the seat. The NRS Kuda has several YakAttack SwitchPad Flexible Mounts.

[@reeltrout44]

Excellent "how to" video. I just bought a used Rival and can't wait to start rigging it. One suggestion would be to provide a list of the parts in detail at the end of the video. I am having trouble finding them on Amazon and also looking for a local supplier in the Seattle area. What is the "pole" you are speaking about near the end of the video to deal with wind? Is this for shallow water and pushing the kayak in a stand up position? Also, I would like to install a support rail on the front and center off of the base already in place that can support my 200lb frame when fishing standing up. Dave Scadden does this very well on some of his boats. Being 69 years old i am leery of standing up on one of these without some good support, that I can cradle my body into and also have something to hold on to in the event of waves too. I don't think PVC would be a safe bet. Any products or prototype designs out there in Kayak land?

[@TheLittleStuff]

As far as stability, an inflatable is somehow more stable, less wobbly than a rotomolded kayak. I think that it has something to do with the physics of trapped air on top of water as opposed to a hollow plastic shell. The pole I mentioned is a Power Pole Micro. I ended up not going that route, but instead used two different small anchors on winches called “Anchor Wizard”. One is off the bow and the other releases off the stern.

[@CRAPPIE168]

Can you advise me what kind of glue to install the pad? Thanks

[@TheLittleStuff]

It’s called HH-66. NRS sells it. Get a K-Pump Mini and some AquaSeal while you’re ordering.

[@JonRinehartSTL]

Will the anchor wizard low profile crank mount to one of the tracs shown in this video? Any more in depth videos on the anchor setup. Just ordered a star rival fish and am trying to get my anchor setup sorted.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Jon, dig through the Inflatable Kayaks playlist. Watch the ones on the NRS Kuda. Yes, the low profile Anchor Wizard will seat securely (albeit a bit wobbly) on the GT175

[@swagvids2911]

So I’m guessing you had to drill holes into ur track to then attach it to the switch? And if you what screw device did you use. Sadly they don’t sell any rails with adapters that can attach to the switch. Unless I’m wrong please let me know. I’m just trying to attach a rail to my inflatable kayak. I have the same one as you..

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yep. I drilled holes in the GT175 to make “bridges” of track between Switchpads. I used Mighty Bolts and LoPro WingKnobs.

[@09ironman1]

Nice video where did you get your hat

[@TheLittleStuff]

I had it embroidered by Grimes Graphics in Frederick, Md

[@phillipjacobson4457]

I have the green version of this board. Where did you get your motor installed? Cost? I am in oregon, and fish lake billy chinook a lot it is a very long Reservoir to paddle on. I have done it many times but wind in the afternoon is a killer.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I did the install myself. The video shows it. Innovative Sportsman makes an adapter plate for this installation.

[@phillipjacobson4457]

@@TheLittleStuff thank you. Sorry I have a bad habit of commenting before I watch the hole video I like to read comments while video plays. The adapter plate info is helpfull thank you.

[@tomstrunk1232]

Do you still use this kayak and are you happy with it? NRS has replaced this model with the Kuda, but the list price for the Kuda is $400 more than the Star Rival Fish. I can buy a Star Rival Fish at substantially less than list price now that it is discontinued. Do you think this kayak is a good purchase or should I pay extra for the newer Kuda?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I still have the Star Rival Fish. It’s a good rig. Get it if you can, especially if it’s discounted!

[@tomstrunk1232]

@@TheLittleStuff Thanks for the quick response. Really enjoy your channel.

[@BradHix]

Hey Jeff, does your anchor line rubbing on the inflatable in the front do any damage? Should I add something there so it doesn’t rub a hole in mine?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I don’t think that it will, but I added more material to my bow so I could run it into stuff and drag it along on its nose.

[@artkrot]

I use little rubber caster wheel to apply pressure, rather then hands

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s a great suggestion! Thanks.

[@swagvids2911]

What’s the glue name again? For the switch pad

[@swagvids2911]

Nvm got it! It’s in the vid thanks

[@TheLittleStuff]

HH-66

[@burtgordon4796]

I really like this boat but I’m 220 lbs. Not sure it would handle the weight of me and my gear. Isn’t it rated for 300 lbs.?

[@Super1Matt1]

Why anchor off the front? Wouldn’t you want it off the back so when you cast the wind is at your back. And the anchor line is out back and not getting tangled with the line and fish?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I ended up doing both front and back anchors

[@BradHix]

Where do you get the vinyl cement? Can I get it in a small can?

[@TheLittleStuff]

NRS sells it

[@emersonlang588]

Can you still deflate, fold and store the kayak with all the mounts you added?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yes, but it’s messy. I just kept mine inflated.

[@Riley880]

How hard is that to deflate, and fit into a car?

[@TheLittleStuff]

It doesn’t take long, but I rarely do that.

[@stevebaker8138]

Does anyone manufacture a longer gear trac than 16”. Seems like if they did you could negate multiple 16” trac’s and just attach the pedal accessories to the pre existing 2 mighty mounts.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yes. Its called 80/20.

[@pepiejohnson3841]

So you will have to take all that stuff off to fold the kayak up to put in a small SUV. I would think it would take you about 20 minutes to inflate and put all the stuff back on.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Nope. I leave it inflated. It rides in the 8 foot bed of a Ford F-150.