Lookin for some advice - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TYLER MM · 11-11-2010, 05:04 PM

Hey everybody, I'm brand new to kayak fishin and just recently bought a Stealth 12 during the OEX sale up in LA. The only thing I've had done is hookin up the livewell which was installed at OEX in Mission Bay. Only 2 trips under my belt. Once in Mission Bay and once in SD Bay. Mission bay was a good trip with no trouble but SD Bay was a real wake up call to the risk out there. While out there I grabbed a scoop of bait and after an hour or so of fishin the kayak starts feelin different a little heavy I guess. And without understanding how I realize I'm takin on some serious water now cuz I'm sinkin. Not extremely fast but I'm goin down. I manage to get to shore, open up the hatch and the hull is about 1/2 full of water. After reading a few of the other posts, it sounds like it's the bait pump pumpin to much water in to fast. Is a timing switch the right fix for this? And is that the only thing I would need for this. Oh and a bilge pump. Thanks guys

Gino · 11-11-2010, 05:30 PM

If your sinking that fast it aint the stealth bait tank... Id suggest taking it to a Malibu dealer (OEX) and see what they can find.

bubblehide · 11-11-2010, 05:35 PM

I recall reading a post somewhere, where it turned out that the pump was pumping directly into the hull. If I recall correctly, a hose came lose. Take it to OEX, they'll take care of you, as they stand behind their products and their work.

If it was me, I'd see Andy at the Sunset Beach OEX.

tony · 11-11-2010, 05:59 PM

-Double check where pump goes thru hull
-Double check hose from pump to aerator
-Double check where aerator goes thru bait tank

TYLER MM · 11-11-2010, 06:08 PM

Ok thanks for the feedback fellas. It's much appreciated

Iceman · 11-11-2010, 06:14 PM

You should be able to regulate with the adjustable aerator head, twisting it clockwise constricts the opening. You can completely close it with this. You do not want that tank overflowing. How are you allowing outflow?

TYLER MM · 11-11-2010, 06:45 PM

Yea I made sure of that. I adjusted it to make for a good flow but not allowing it to overflow. That was the first thing I did when I turned it on before I got bait, and the first thing I checked when I realized what was goin on.

tony · 11-11-2010, 07:00 PM

If it's not pump/hull seal, aerator/bait tank seal, or hose clamps....
Check all scupper hole tubes for cracks. Sometimes people crank down way too hard with roof rack straps and this may crack scuppers or they might have a defect to begin with.

old_rookie · 11-11-2010, 07:06 PM

Get a hand powered floating bilge pump.

TYLER MM · 11-11-2010, 07:07 PM

Ok i'll make sure to check that out. If that's not the case and all seals, clamps, etc. are good is it possible I just need a timing switch?

tony · 11-11-2010, 07:18 PM

Probably not.....the worry with over flowing is too much water going over those side hatches and leaking in. But if that is not obvious, and considering your yak was half full while in the bay, it has to be one of the other things mentioned earlier...
Why would you say timing switch if water is flowing out into the scupper holes in front of bait tank?

ctrujillo · 11-11-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TYLER MM

Hey everybody, I'm brand new to kayak fishin and just recently bought a Stealth 12 during the OEX sale up in LA. The only thing I've had done is hookin up the livewell which was installed at OEX in Mission Bay. Only 2 trips under my belt. Once in Mission Bay and once in SD Bay. Mission bay was a good trip with no trouble but SD Bay was a real wake up call to the risk out there. While out there I grabbed a scoop of bait and after an hour or so of fishin the kayak starts feelin different a little heavy I guess. And without understanding how I realize I'm takin on some serious water now cuz I'm sinkin. Not extremely fast but I'm goin down. I manage to get to shore, open up the hatch and the hull is about 1/2 full of water. After reading a few of the other posts, it sounds like it's the bait pump pumpin to much water in to fast. Is a timing switch the right fix for this? And is that the only thing I would need for this. Oh and a bilge pump. Thanks guys

my buddy picked up a stealth 14 at the same sale.went out on maiden trip and had the same proublem yak was more than half full of water.what had happend was that there is two black plates in front of tank if they are not removed water will over flow thru top of tank and thru top hatches into hull

.another thing to look for is the two scuppers under the seat have plugs in them witch really gave the water no place to go but fill up and down the hatches.he ended up drilling two 1/2 inch holes in each plate and the tank is good to go.you also want to make shure you get a hand bilge pump for that kind of emergency.hope it works out to just be a simple fix for you.

j mo · 11-12-2010, 05:41 AM

Seems to be a common occurance, I know many a yaker w "wet" Malibu's
take it into OEX best to have a pro look into it

TYLER MM · 11-12-2010, 06:12 AM

Ctrujillo - When OEX installed the livewell kit they drilled the two holes your talkin about so those are there. I think I'm just goin to take it to a pool and try to figure out what's goin on

SteveK · 11-16-2010, 06:37 PM

Hull to pump is most likey the problem , anything outside of the hull should be ok, but also check the hose clamps, throw the white ones away and install stainless automotive type

Jimmyz123 · 11-16-2010, 08:19 PM

I think your fix ideas are great. Call it overkill if you want but I will be installing a bilge pump on my kayak to avoid exactly what you are talking about. Having that is worth the extra battery weight.

Also check out Youtube, I recall seeing a video about the Stealth Bait tank installation that CJ did and he talks about the over flow holes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snGUpj2MAao

Matt · 11-16-2010, 09:25 PM

Defintiely go see CJ/Brian they are the holy masters of yak fixes!!! And just fyi Malibu definitely stands behind their yaks!!!

11-11-2010, 05:04 PM	#1
TYLER MM Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 7	Lookin for some advice Hey everybody, I'm brand new to kayak fishin and just recently bought a Stealth 12 during the OEX sale up in LA. The only thing I've had done is hookin up the livewell which was installed at OEX in Mission Bay. Only 2 trips under my belt. Once in Mission Bay and once in SD Bay. Mission bay was a good trip with no trouble but SD Bay was a real wake up call to the risk out there. While out there I grabbed a scoop of bait and after an hour or so of fishin the kayak starts feelin different a little heavy I guess. And without understanding how I realize I'm takin on some serious water now cuz I'm sinkin. Not extremely fast but I'm goin down. I manage to get to shore, open up the hatch and the hull is about 1/2 full of water. After reading a few of the other posts, it sounds like it's the bait pump pumpin to much water in to fast. Is a timing switch the right fix for this? And is that the only thing I would need for this. Oh and a bilge pump. Thanks guys

11-11-2010, 06:14 PM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	You should be able to regulate with the adjustable aerator head, twisting it clockwise constricts the opening. You can completely close it with this. You do not want that tank overflowing. How are you allowing outflow? __________________

11-12-2010, 05:41 AM	#13
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	Seems to be a common occurance, I know many a yaker w "wet" Malibu's take it into OEX best to have a pro look into it Last edited by j mo; 11-12-2010 at 07:44 AM.

11-16-2010, 09:25 PM	#17
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	Defintiely go see CJ/Brian they are the holy masters of yak fixes!!! And just fyi Malibu definitely stands behind their yaks!!! __________________ Thanks Matt F.

11-11-2010, 05:30 PM	#2
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	If your sinking that fast it aint the stealth bait tank... Id suggest taking it to a Malibu dealer (OEX) and see what they can find.

11-11-2010, 05:35 PM	#3
bubblehide Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 552	I recall reading a post somewhere, where it turned out that the pump was pumping directly into the hull. If I recall correctly, a hose came lose. Take it to OEX, they'll take care of you, as they stand behind their products and their work. If it was me, I'd see Andy at the Sunset Beach OEX.

11-11-2010, 05:59 PM	#4
tony Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 130	-Double check where pump goes thru hull -Double check hose from pump to aerator -Double check where aerator goes thru bait tank

11-11-2010, 06:08 PM	#5
TYLER MM Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 7	Ok thanks for the feedback fellas. It's much appreciated

11-11-2010, 06:45 PM	#7
TYLER MM Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 7	Yea I made sure of that. I adjusted it to make for a good flow but not allowing it to overflow. That was the first thing I did when I turned it on before I got bait, and the first thing I checked when I realized what was goin on.

11-11-2010, 07:00 PM	#8
tony Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 130	If it's not pump/hull seal, aerator/bait tank seal, or hose clamps.... Check all scupper hole tubes for cracks. Sometimes people crank down way too hard with roof rack straps and this may crack scuppers or they might have a defect to begin with.

11-11-2010, 07:06 PM	#9
old_rookie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Santee Posts: 904	Get a hand powered floating bilge pump.

11-11-2010, 07:07 PM	#10
TYLER MM Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 7	Ok i'll make sure to check that out. If that's not the case and all seals, clamps, etc. are good is it possible I just need a timing switch?

11-11-2010, 07:18 PM	#11
tony Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 130	Probably not.....the worry with over flowing is too much water going over those side hatches and leaking in. But if that is not obvious, and considering your yak was half full while in the bay, it has to be one of the other things mentioned earlier... Why would you say timing switch if water is flowing out into the scupper holes in front of bait tank?

11-12-2010, 06:12 AM	#14
TYLER MM Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 7	Ctrujillo - When OEX installed the livewell kit they drilled the two holes your talkin about so those are there. I think I'm just goin to take it to a pool and try to figure out what's goin on

11-16-2010, 06:37 PM	#15
SteveK Junior Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22	Hull to pump is most likey the problem , anything outside of the hull should be ok, but also check the hose clamps, throw the white ones away and install stainless automotive type

11-16-2010, 08:19 PM	#16
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I think your fix ideas are great. Call it overkill if you want but I will be installing a bilge pump on my kayak to avoid exactly what you are talking about. Having that is worth the extra battery weight. Also check out Youtube, I recall seeing a video about the Stealth Bait tank installation that CJ did and he talks about the over flow holes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snGUpj2MAao