My Coosa Kayak Mods - Pics Included

[MOsmallies]

My wonderful new wife surprised me with a 2012 Jackson Coosa (Olive Green) last October for our wedding. Needless to say it's one of the best surprises I've ever received.

With the weather turning cold in November and not having the proper winter gear to stay safe I wasn’t able to get my boat out on the river right away. Instead, I spent all winter modifying it to my specifications. I spent a lot of time online researching other's Coosa mods as well as searching for the right products and materials I wanted to use. Since so many of the kayak and canoe modification posts on here and Riverbassin.com helped me with ideas for my boat I thought I’d post mine in hopes that they can help someone else.

First and foremost I needed to get the essential accessories... After researching PFD's I purchased a Stohlquist Fisherman which I’ve been very pleased with. My good buddy hooked me up with a 240 cm Aquabound Sting Ray paddle for free! And lastly I ordered a pair of the Sperry Son-R-Buckle water shoes.

I made a few other non-essential purchases as well that definitely benefit my setup.

- 25 qt Igloo Marine Cooler (Modified with latches that don’t come standard)

- 1470 Plano Guide Series Waterproof Case (14” x 9” x 5”)

- (2) 3740 Plano Waterproof Stowaway Utility Boxes (14” x 9” x 1 7/8”)

- 30 L Ascend Dry Bag

Once I had the accessories needed for floating I went to work modifying the boat itself. My first project was to simply add (sow) Velcro to the stand assist strap as well as the side straps on the seat. I wanted to keep everything as streamlined and out of the way as possible. The stand assist strap is always lying right in front of me down the center of the boat now. And the seat straps can be Velcro-ed down straight after any adjustment is made. I know it’s anal, but that’s just how I like it.

My second project was to lengthen the rod stagers on the front hatch. The best idea I saw was to use plastic dart tips. They were cheap, easy to install, removable, and provide the perfect amount of height needed to keep rod tips in place. I was a little nervous drilling into the Coosa and wanted them to fit snug, so I actually used a nail and different sized screws to work holes into the top of each existing rod stager. I then just screwed the dart tips in by hand and tightened them up with pliers. The dart tips fit extremely tight and can be removed or replaced as needed.

Next, I added small bungees near the rear flush mount rod holders. I use these bungees to wrap around my rods in case they fall out.

I also purchased the small Flexi brand dog leash to fit in the side handle slot for my drag chain. I know that here in the Ozarks a drag chain isn’t needed often but I wanted one there just in case. I'd actually prefer to run a drag chain off the bow so I can float down backwards and cast upstream. My buddy hooked me up with an already coated drag chain but I may make a heavier one from scratch using logging chain and a bicycle innertube.

Now for my biggest modification… I wanted to add some sort of marine flooring to the Coosa to improve traction on the standing platform, reduce sound, add comfort, and to be honest I thought it’d look really cool. I did quite a bit of research and chose what I thought was the best option. I got in touch with a company down in Florida called SeaDek (www.seadek.com) and purchased an 18” x 74” sheet of 5mm material in Storm Gray (I originally ordered the Mica color but it was lighter than expected, so SeaDek was awesome and let me exchange it for free). They offer at least 15 different colors and at a reasonable price. The material with shipping was around $80-$85. I decided I wanted to “SeaDek” the heel wells, the standing platform, the cup holder, under the seat, and the raised strips on the rear storage well. I began making templates of each area using tin foil so I could quickly mold and make necessary adjustments. Once I had pretty good templates made of tin foil, I traced them onto thin scrap foam or cardboard. I could then make really fine adjustments to those templates before tracing and cutting out the SeaDek material. The SeaDek cut extremely easy using sharp scissors and a utility knife. I made final adjustments before peeling the back off each piece and applying it for good. This material is self adhesive and has an extremely strong bond. I’m very pleased with how it turned out. I had plenty of material leftover, so I even “SeaDek-ed” the lid of my cooler and still have more to spare.

The last modification I have made to this point was to add additional pad eyes under the seat. This allows me to run bungees over my waterproof boxes. In case I flip, they cannot fall out now.

Some more mods may be in made in the future, such as…

- Camera Mounts

- Rod/Reel Holders underneath in the “Rod Locker”

- Paddle Clip on the seat to hold paddle while standing

- Utility pouch sewn to side of seat for scissors, pliers, measuring tape, etc.

But for now I’m happy with how my Coosa has turned out. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Paul

MOsmallies

[moguy1973]

Awesome idea on the flush mount rod holders. I'll have to do something like that on mine so I don't lose any rods that I would put back there.

[Stoneroller]

paul you need one of these camera mounts now.

http://www.greenfishmovement.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=23

and if you enter the Missouri Smallmouth Challenge Tourney, I can give you a 20% discount code.

also I have some videos of coosa mods that I did here:

ok maybe it's just the anchor trolley in this video. i'll have to post the others.

[Mitch f]

You guys are very creative with all the care and ingenuity that goes into Kayak preparation. I know in bass tourneys, many times the proper use of a boat and boat control gives you a distinct advantage over other fisherman. This is no different, I think once you get good at using the proper techniques for all of this equipment, you will be able to catch more and bigger fish. Impressed!

ps. Hey Paul, If your new wife bought you a kayak, she's definatley a keeper.....no catch and release here.

[Justin Spencer]

My Coosas have a pocket behind the seat sown in, very handy. Love the mods, have you tried the drag chain, I,ve yet to get one foe mine, but need to.

[ness]

Cool mods. Looks like you really gave it a lot of thought. What's the surface like on the decking material?

[Smalliebigs]

All you need now is some flowing cool water,some boulders, a bit of wood and some Arkies.Lightly stirred with a shot of river dribble and it's on!!!! I can't wait for the lodge brother. Do you think you could shotgun while standing???? that's one of my goals on the river this year.....K float is going to be as stupid as ever, we need to seriously consider floating behind or ahead of the freaks this years at least for the 3 mile middle section, I like to call "The Zone"

"ps. Hey Paul, If your new wife bought you a kayak, she's definatley a keeper.....no catch and release here."

Mitch, she is definitely a keeper.......I posted a pic on here once with a 17 1/2 inch smallie she caught right in front of us one evening and you guys drooled over her and I was accused of posting pics of the same fish or something to that effect. The Turtle Whisperer is the bomb.....Paul is a very lucky young man, with his prized catch he deserves it......he's one of the best people I know

[MOsmallies]

Thank you all for the kind words...

Mike - Thanks... I'll have to check out the camera mount, but that purchase may be down the line. I'll also check out the Missouri Smallmouth Cahllenge.

Mitch - I definitely fish better when I'm organized, setup, and prepared. And my wife is definitely a keeper. The best part about her buying the kayak is that she WANTS me to get out an use it. Win win situation for sure.

Justin - I have the 2012 seat with the zipper pouch on the back of the seat as well and love it. I still want to put something smaller on the side of the seat for easier access to things I'll need frequently (Pliers, scissors, measuring tape, etc.). I have not used the drag chain yet, but will definitely give it a shot next time I'm out.

Ness - The SeaDek surface is studded kind of like a lego. It provides great traction and comfort...

Scott - Appreciate the kind words man. I'm pumped for the lodge as well. We need to get the Coosas on the water more than just one day this year and catch some nice ones.

[bcfish]

I saw you on the other forum. They now have scupper plugs on the website specific to the coosa. Also a little side pouch that mounts under seat and against the sides. Just ordered both and should work them up this weekend along with some other stuff.

[Stoneroller]

a better option than the coosa scupper plugs are two sets of ocean kayak blue plugs for the foot well and 1 set of the red plugs for under the seat. these scupper plugs still allow plenty of room for water to drain out quickly but will stop your gear or personal items from being washed down the scupper holes.