How to Outrig Your Kayak

Outriggers helped Polynesians keep their narrow boats upright in rough seas.

Let's face it, kayaks are tipsy, especially in surf or choppy water. This may not bother expert paddlers, but for someone looking for a more stable kayaking experience, an outrigger may be just the thing for adding that essential bit of stability to your boat for fishing or playing on the water with your kids. An outrigger is basically a float rigged parallel to your kayak's hull to make the boat wider and harder to tip over.

Things You'll Need

• 12 feet schedule 80 PVC pipe 1/2 inch
• 2 schedule 80 PVC 90-degree elbows, 1/2 inch
• 2 schedule 80 PVC end caps, 1/2 inch
• 2 PVC adapters, 1/2 inch to 2 inches
• 2 PVC 90-degree large-radius elbows, 3 inches
• 1 PVC pipe, 2 inches by 12 feet
• Hacksaw
• PVC pipe cleaner
• PVC cement
• Cords, U-bolts bungee cords or other fasteners, depending on the design of your boat

Instructions

1. Cut two half-inch PVC pipes to the width of your kayak at the best tie-down points on the hull plus 5 feet. If your kayak has tie-down points, choose the ones farthest fore and aft. Measure the distance between the tie-down points and cut the 2-inch PVC pipe to the length between the tie-downs minus 4 inches to allow for the elbows.

2. Clean the ends and glue end caps on one end of each of the two half-inch lengths of PVC. Clean and glue half-inch 90-degree elbows to the opposite ends of the long pipes.

3. Clean and glue 90-degree elbows to either end of the long 2-inch pipe section so that the elbows' open ends both face up. Glue a short length of 2-inch pipe in each elbow-- enough to attach the adapter directly above the 2-inch elbow.

4. Glue the adapters on top of the 2-inch elbows at either end of the outrigger float (the 2-inch pipe you cut earlier).

5. Strap the half-inch pipes (the outrigger poles) to the kayak's tie-down points, extending to the side opposite your strong paddling side--left if you are right-handed and vice versa if you're left-handed. Be sure and allow plenty of room between the poles for paddling. Lashing the outrigger poles down with light cord and duct tape may be the most effective way to secure it. Attach each outrigger pole to the kayak at two places on opposite sides of the hull for stiffness.

6. Measure from the outrigger pole to the water surface when the boat is sitting empty. Hold the outrigger level while you measure. Now measure the distance from the bottom of the outrigger float pipe to the tops of the adapter joints. Subtract this from the distance between the water and the outrigger poles. Take off one more inch for the connector and cut a short piece of half-inch pipe this long.

7. Test fit the pipe between the elbows on the ends of the outrigger and the adapter on the ends of the outrigger float. When assembled, the empty boat should list just a bit to the outrigger side to allow for settling when the kayak is loaded. If the outrigger sits too high, cut off a bit more before assembling. If too low, cut a longer piece. Cement and glue the piece in place when the outrigger is at the right height. Test the rig. The curve of the long radius 2-inch elbows on the float pipe should help lift the float as you move through the water, reducing drag when paddling.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have tie-down points, you may have to drill and bolt U-bolts through the gunwales near the bow and stern to firmly attach the outrigger poles. Every kayak will be different, so you'll have to use your imagination to properly lash the outrigger to your kayak hull.

References

• Kayaking Journal: Kayak Outriggers Open Up Many Possibilities 
• Castlecraft: Outrigger Stabilizers for Canoes and Boats
• Easy Rider Kayaks: Outriggers for Canoes