Note that the front well, has had a plywood cover attached, held on with bungee cord, there is also a wooden hatch, which makes the front well an esky. Some styrene foam is attached to the lid and cover...
The Tempo Fisherman is a very stable craft - I have stood up in it from time to time, but would not feel comfortable doing it a few kilometres out to sea.
The twin tube fluoro lamp has been replaced with a Dick Smith led torch. A bottom of the range Humminbird fish finder is installed, mounted on a lump of car body filler, screwed into 40mm PVC pipe, and inserted in one of the factory fitted rod holders. I prefer it mounted a bit off-centre like this, so that I can access the hatch without crushing the finder or the vulnerable wobbly bits.
The transducer for the finder has been variously mounted outboard, (a bit like an outboard motor) in that configuration, the leads were held in place with velcro, stuck to the hull. Several inboard mountings have taken place this last year, Silicon, Sikaflex have all been tried, but eventually fail. More recently I have just had the transducer resting in a sealable sandwich bag, with about 200mls of water, and just resting in the "U" profile of the hull.
The Tempo is safe and stable. The storage is limited below deck, and in windy conditions or whilst being chased by KGW the yak is quite difficult to paddle.
Viking have an electric motor set up and rudder system available.
This yak has given me many hours of pleasure
GoneFishn's Fully Pimped Yak http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii103/GoneFishn1/2008_0215sienna0038.jpg http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii103/GoneFishn1/PhotoGallery390-1.jpg
Scater's Tempo: [img]http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy91/samboulden/yak%20mods/24112009148.jpg[/img]
My tempo is set up with a pretty minimalist approach compared to some here but i find it a fantasic platform to fish from. Most of what you can see(sounder and bungee/well cover) here I've already posted in the DIY forum. My anchor setup is very simple, just a cleat next to my seat running to an eyelet at the back of the boat:
[img]http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy91/samboulden/yak%20mods/24112009150.jpg[/img]
This allows my to drop and retrieve the anchor with ease. I've always found the idea of an anchor trolley too messy for mine, I just don't want that much rope around. I can (and regularly do) kneel in the seat facing backwards and as such, it doesn't bother me which way the yak hangs when at anchor.
Some more pics:
[img]http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy91/samboulden/yak%20mods/24112009149.jpg[/img] [img]http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy91/samboulden/yak%20mods/24112009151.jpg[/img]
Specifications
Length 3.9m
Width 820mm
Hull Weight.. 29kg
Load Capacity 160kg
Approximate Price (New/Used) New just under 1200, used under a grand.
Key Features / Layout First and foremost this is a big yak and as such is spacious and stable. There are two large hatches behind the seat one of which provides access to the inside of the hull. The other contains a not-particularly-waterproof bag. There is another equally dubious bag inside the small hatch by my left knee. As mine is a slightly older model it has the rear facing small hatch in the forward well which provides access to the inner hull for sounder installs, storage etc. On either side in front of the seat are various shelves two of which are covered by bungee tie downs. There is a raised, flat area betwen the footwells which seem tailor-made for a sounder though may be a little close to the occupant paddle stroke-wise. Paddle keepers are slightly recessed into the hull on both sides of the boat. The wells at the front and back are huge to put it mildly. Both are scuppered but can be sealed with the provided plugs. You can also buy a cover for the front well from Viking or, like many here, make your own). My only real gripe layout-wise is the placement of the rod holders in my boat. They are either side of my feet and face forward and up. What this means (apart from being a pain to get a rod in and out of) is that if you get a hit on the troll you are immediately high-sticking the fish! This has been rectified on the current model but is something to look out for on used yaks.
Allround 'Fishability' At rest or on the drift this is an absolutely wonderful fishing platform. The sheer space available is, i think, second to none and allows you to have everything at your fingertips. I regularly fish kneeling on the seat facing backwards. The bulk of the yak lets you put a lot of pressure on fish especially if side-on. Additionally i'm yet to find anywhere this beast cannot go.
Ability to Customise/Accessorise The sheer space available along with a huge payload makes this a very customisable boat. A quick browse through the rigged section will demonstrate this.
Best Aspects Stability, Stability, Stability. I'm not sure you could roll it if you wanted to. As i've said above there are acres of storage which makes this a superb expedition yak, there's room for a swag, esky, stove, fishing gear, chair and more. Once you're at the spot there's nothing else i'd rather be in.
Worst Aspects All that space and stability comes with a price and that is the fact that this is a slow and heavy yak. I can dead-lift it onto my forester from the side but i'm 6'2" and reasonably strong. Be prepared to be outpaced by pretty much anything else out there. This thing is a tank and in terms of speed and tracking i'd put it near the bottom of the pile. I suspect a rudder would help but i've got a list of about a thousand mods i'd like to make On the other hand if you're buying a yak for fitness and fishing, speed is not exactly the first priority. High sides can also mean greater effect from wind under paddle or at drift.