EclecticGuy

Seems EclecticGuy’s family has a kayak craze! We stopped by the local Dick’s Sporting Goods after soccer games last weekend and found this Perception Swifty kayak on sale – perfect for the kids.

Of course, this is the “after” shot since I forgot to take a “before” photo! Oh well, even EclecticGuys make minor mistakes sometimes.

To get started, gather your tools (you can never have too many tools) and supplies.

We need a tape measure or ruler, large Phillips screwdriver, center punch (or a nail) hammer, 3/16″ drill bit (in an electric drill of course), a socket wrench (this was a 9mm), a lighter, cutters or a sharp knife, needle nose pliers, and Marine Goop or Silicone Seal. Here is the hardware – I am putting a paddle keeper on each side so I needed to double everything shown in the photo.

At the top are the 2 bungee terminal end clips, Then 2 8-32 by 3/4″ stainless steel round head machine screws, an 8-32 by 1″ SS flat head screw, 3 #8 SS washers, 3 8-32 SS nylon insert lock nuts, and a keeper clip.

Start by deciding where you want the paddle keeper to be located. It should be convenient to the paddler but below the top of the cowl so you don’t knock your fingers on them while paddling.

I started by locating where the hook should be (the top point in the photo) and position the bungee attachments 3-1/2″ down and 4-1/2″ to the left and right of that point. So, the bungee attachments will be 9″ apart for the mathematically challenged. I marked the points with a marker in the photo so you can see them, and then used the center punch to make it easier to drill. Here’s what you get after drilling the 3 3/16″  holes:

Drilling hole in a new kayak is not for the squeamish. It seems to get easier with each new kayak though! Now, it is time to assemble the paddle keeper. I like to start with the hook. Here is the hardware I used:

(notice the artistic spirals of drilled out plastic!)

You can also use rivets or Well-Nuts. I prefer to use stainless steel bolts for locations I can reach behind. The keeper hook has a countersunk hole so use an 8-32 by 1″ flat head screw, a #8 SS washer and an 8-32 nylon insert lock nut. The photo to the left shows the hook installed, I used a dab of Marine Goop on the screw threads to make a watertight seal.

Next, it’s time to assemble and install the bungee cord. Here are the parts needed for 1 side.

Here is the bungee “dry assembled” in the terminal end clip.

The end clip has 2 grippers that push in to the bungee when the sleeve is snapped in to place. I used a pair of needle nose pliers to do that.

Here it is assembled and ready to install. Of course, this is only one end of bungee, we’ll install the other end in place. Here is the end clip installed, same routine – a little dab of Marine Goop, a washer and nylon lock nut on the back.

Almost done now! Here is how I measured the length of the bungee – it extends about 1/4″ past the other hole.

Assemble the end clip and screw it to the kayak – don’t forget the Goop. Here’s a close-up of the finished paddle keeper.

And that’s it. It took me longer to photograph and write this up than it did to install paddle keepers on both sides!