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Quickstart Guide - Yellowfin

Quickstart Guide - Yellowfin

Fishing in a wildfire yellowfin 120 in the gulf of mexico

The Yellowfin Performance Series fishing kayaks – the rudder-ready 13-foot 130T tandem kayak, the rudder-ready 12-foot 120, and the 10-foot 100 – all offer game-changing speed & stability combined with pro fishing performance. Vibe Yellowfins are the perfect fit for any water or angling situation - whether blazing speed, tandem, or ‘throw-and-go’ convenience - while maximizing angling options.

This quick start guide covers the basic install, setup and operation of key Yellowfin components and accessories, such as:

For your safety and to ensure your highest level of enjoyment from the Yellowfin 130T or 120 or 100, it is important that you read and comply with the included Owners Manual and safety information that came with your Yellowfin.

INCLUDED WITH YOUR YELLOWFIN

 

All Yellowfin Performance Series fishing kayaks come with certain parts and components, to include but not limited to:

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

 

Vibe Toe Controlled Rudder System Installation Instructions

Vibe Hero Seat Assembly

 

All Yellowfin kayak packages include at least one dual position Vibe Hero Seat which provides a plush, padded ride - the 130T tandem includes two (2) Hero Seats. The breathable mesh fabric dries quickly, keeping you and your seat dry. Adjustable straps let you create your most comfortable back support position, to keep you fishing all day!

The Hero Seat ships un-assembled to help lower the chances of shipping damage, but it is super simple to put together.

The only tool you will need for assembly is a Philips head screwdriver.

Instructions:

  1. Unfold the seat and set it up on a flat surface.

  2. Position the dog ear hinge so the tall part is facing up.

  3. Unscrew the bolt and nut.

  4. Fold the back onto the seat portion lining up the tabs on the seat back with the tabs on the hinge.

  5. Re-insert and tighten the screw holding the nut in place with your finger.

  6. Repeat this on the other side.

  7. Connect the strap by going up through the back and down through the front.

  8. Flip the seat over and pull the cam straps on the bottom of the seat as tight as you can. Tightening these from time to time will greatly improve your comfort on the water

Vibe Toe Controlled Rudder System Installation Instructions

 

The Yellowfin 130T and 120 each offer the option of installing a Vibe toe-controlled rudder system which gets anglers to fish faster – saving your energy during long paddles, windy days, and strong currents. The shorter Yellowfin 100 does NOT offer the option of installing a rudder.

The toe-controlled rudder does NOT comes pre-installed on Yellowfin 130T or 120 but if you purchase a Vibe Yellowfin Rudder Kit and you wish to install, here’s how you do that:

All you will need is some tape, and a line cutting tool of your choosing.

Instructions:

  1. Clip the toe rocker on and insert the spring clips into the gap.

  2. Run the steering cable through the line guide to the back of the rudder, if this gets stuck, try attaching a piece of heavy fishing line and feeding that through first, pulling the cable through behind it.

  3. Feed the cable through the top of the toe rocker and back around the groove on the foot brace.

  4. Run the cable towards the bow to the loop at the end of the track where you can tie it off.

  5. Put the rudder in place securing it with the linchpin.

  6. Feed the thicker rudder deployment line through the cleat, and through the line guide to the back of the boat.

  7. Run the deployment cable through the slot at the base of the rudder, and then up through the hole in the side of the rudder, tying a simple overhand knot to secure it.

  8. At the center of the boat, pull all slack out of the cable. Measuring where the cable can rest in the J-hook and tying the red ball at this point.

  9. Place a piece of tape on the foot braces so the toe rockers are lined up with the face of the foot brace. (this will help you adjust the steering cables).

  10. At the back of the boat pull any slack out of the steering lines without pulling the toe rocker out of place, and tie them off to the posts on the rudder by passing the line through the hole, around and back under the arm to the front using the groove, and then terminate it with a barrel knot.

  11. Remove the tape, and test the system, deploying the rudder, and ensuring you have a full turning radius on each toe control./p>

  12. Trim all excess line and hit the water!

Phantom Grip Handles

 

Four Vibe Phantom Grip carrying handles are included with each Yellowfin, creating a super comfortable grip and which eliminate pinch points. These Phantom Grip Handles come unassembled on the kayak, but it’s very fast and easy to attach them.

The only tool you will need is a Philips screwdriver.

Instructions:

  1. Separate out which handles go on the sides, and which 2 go on the bow/stern. The side handles have bungees attached for using as a paddle park.

  2. For the side handles, place the bolts through the handle, then through the tabs on the bungee before securing them in place with the screwdriver in the threaded inserts being careful to not overtighten.

  3. For the bow/stern, it is as simple as screwing the bolt into the inserts being careful to not overtighten.

Vibe Top Loading Gear Track Instructions

 

Top-loading gear tracks will allow you to easily attach external rod holders, camera mounts, gear retractors and more, so that any essential gear is close-at-hand when you need it most.
Walkthrough explaining to tilt gear track nuts sideways and load them into top loading tracks from the top

No tools are needed, as the gear tracks come pre-installed.

Instructions:

  1. Unscrew the T-Bolt on your accessory until it is almost removed from the accessory.

  2. Tilt the accessory at an angle.

  3. Insert the T-bolt into the top of the track.

  4. Straighten the accessory and tighten down the bolts until secure.

Adjusting The Vibe Foot Braces

 

Adjusting Vibe Foot Braces is simple:

No tools are needed, as the foot braces come pre-installed, and adjustment can be done by hand.

Instructions:

  2. Pull the trigger on the back of the foot brace.

  3. Slide the brace into the best position for you (we recommend a slight bend in the knee).

  4. Make sure the trigger latch locks into one of the holes in the track.

Installing the Yellowfin Deck Padding

 

With the Vibe Yellowfin 130T or 120 Padding Kit, your 130T or 120 kayak will look slick, without the slip. The 5mm EVA material provides exceptional traction either wet or dry, and the sweet design adds flair to your already awesome kayak.

The marine grade peel and stick adhesive makes for a quick and easy installation. This kit was designed to fit both the Sea Ghost 110 and Sea Ghost 130 and each kit includes pieces to cover the entire deck area.

Things you will need include soap and water, a spray bottle with a 50% water 50% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, some paper towel or a rag (Optional) 3M adhesion promoter.

Instructions:

  1. Clean up the deck of your boat with soap and water, getting the large pieces of dirt and grime off, if your boat is brand new you can skip this step.

  2. Use the alcohol mix to spray down and clean the deck thoroughly, the adhesive needs a nice clean surface to adhere properly.

  3. (Optional step) apply adhesion promoter to the deck where the pads will be going, follow the directions on the product.

  4. While letting the boat dry, lay out your deck pad pieces so you know where they will be placed, they only fit one way, and doing this will help you do it efficiently once the backing is peeled.

  5. One piece at a time, peel the backing and place it firmly in place, smoothing from the middle out to the edges as you apply even pressure. Moving from piece to piece.

  6. (Optional step) Giving the adhesive ample time to cure under even pressure is the best way to ensure that it will stay stuck. To do this, place a tarp on the deck of the boat and fill the tarp with water, this water will apply even pressure to the pad and the tarp will keep the fresh adhesive dry. Let this sit for 8-12 hours to cure the adhesive.

Installing a Fishfinder

 

Adding a fishfinder to any of Vibes kayaks is easy, though a few additional accessories will make your life easier for some models.

Additional Items you will need:

 

  1. A transducer arm of your choosing. These can be found at any kayak dealer, or at VibeKayaks.com.
  2. A fishfinder mount of your choosing. Most fishfinders come with a screw down mount, we suggest a track mounted option, you can find these accessories from companies like RAM, and Yak Attack.
  3. (Optional) A battery box.

The only tool you will need is a Phillip’s head screwdriver and the hardware that came with your fishfinder.

Instructions:

  1. Decide where you are going to mount your transducer arm. This is moveable later, but most people will choose a spot on the gear track out of the way towards the bow, where you can still reach it to pull it up quickly if needed.

  2. Bend or position the arm so that it holds the transducer level and below the waterline.

  3. Attach the transducer using the included hardware and your Phillip’s head screwdriver.

  4. Decide where on the track you want the fishfinder unit itself. Be sure that it is not in the way of your paddle stroke.

  5. Mount the unit using the track mounted accessory you purchased.

  6. Wire up your 12v battery to the fishfinders battery lead, being careful to wrap your connections. If you opted for a batter box, you could install it now.

  7. Coil up your transducer cable, this cable cannot be cut so coiling it up to get it out of the way is the best option for us as kayakers. If you opted for a batter box, many have enough room to insert the coiled-up cable as well to get it out of the way.

  8. Hook up the cables to the unit and you are good to go!