22 Pathfinder Bay Boat Custom SeaDek

If there is a staple in boating industry for bay boats, it has the be the Pathfinder bay boat.  The 22 Pathfinder is one of the models built out of the same factory that produces the Maverick flats boats and also the Hewes line of skiffs.  It seems like no matter where I’m on the road working, or on the water fishing I always seem to see a Pathfinder bay boat.  While there are a few different styles of the 22 Pathfinder, this particular boat is just the standard model.  The customer was looking for a way to make his time on the water more comfortable and also give his boat a fresh new look.  Castaway Customs designed a floor kit to cover the entire cockpit of the boat including the helm pad area and also under the leaning post to provide a cooler pad.  Check out the before and after pictures to see what a difference the SeaDek makes.  We decided to cover everything in 8mm cool gray over storm gray.  While many customer choose black as a bottom color, this particular boat didn’t have very many black accents so the subtle change from the cool gray to storm gray was a nice clean look.  If you are interested in having any custom SeaDek work done to your boat you can contact me at tyler@castawaycustoms.com or by phone at 321-537-2039.

Front deck before SeaDek

Front deck after SeaDek

Rear deck before SeaDek

Rear deck after SeaDek

Cockpit floor before SeaDek

Cockpit floor after SeaDek

Helm area with console foot pads

Cooler pad and rear cockpit floor

Overview from bow to stern

Custom SeaDek on Ranger Banshee Extreme

I got a call the other day from Travis Tucker who runs a Ranger Banshee Extreme and fishes many redfish tournaments.  Travis had seen my custom SeaDek work on another boat and knew that is what he wanted on his boat.  We organized a time a place and place to meet up so I could scan the boat to make sure everything fit perfectly.  We completely covered the boat from the cockpit and decks to the poling platform and Yeti Cooler.  He will now have an easier time sneaking up on those spooky redfish in tournaments and also be nice and comfortable after a long day on the water.  Here are a few before and after shots, that really emphasize the difference that custom SeaDek can make to your skiff.  If you are interested in decking out your boat, big or small, give me shout at 321-537-2039 or shoot me an email at tyler@castawaycustoms.com.

This is a before shot of the front deck

This is an after shot of the front deck. The Ranger logo and ruler stick really set it off.

This is a before shot of the cockpit of the boat.

This is an after shot of the cockpit. We changed out the stock side gunnel pads to match the rest of the boat.

Before SeaDek on the Yeti Cooler and rear deck

After adding SeaDek to the Yeti Cooler and rear deck

Trick out your Maverick HPX-T or Maverick HPX-V

Maverick Boats have been a staple in the shallow water boating market since the beginning.  There is a lot of history behind the skiff company and if boats could talk there are some Maverick boats with stories that could keep us entertained all night.  I have fished with Capt  Benny Blanco down in Flamingo on his Maverick HPX-T and have a few great stories of my own.  The HPX-T is a tunnel hull boat that can cross extremely shallow water and jump up on plane very quickly.  The boat is a fairly flat bottomed skiff so crossing open or rough waters in not ideal in this skiff.  That is where the HPX-V comes into play.  The Maverick HPX-V is a proven hull designed used and abused by guides and charter captains throughout the world.  While it isn’t made for extremely skinny water, it will get you home safely when the wind and seas kick up.  I deal with a lot of customers who have Maverick Boats and they ask me what are some of the more popular options as far as SeaDek and boating accessories are concerned.  On any poling skiff, my first recommendation is to SeaDek their poling platforms and their casting platform, if they have one.  Castaway Customs provides custom aluminum work as well as SeaDek so if you need a casting platform made, feel free to contact us.

A nice example of a custom casting platform on the bow of a Maverick HPX-T

For those who don’t have a casting platform and looking to kill two birds with one stone, a Yeti Cooler is a great option.  The coolers are stable enough to stand on and fish while doing a great job of keeping things cold.  A 35 QT Yeti Tundra cooler fits nicely in front of the console on either Maverick and easily can hold a trips worth of food and drinks.  If you are looking a little larger cooler the 45 QT Yeti Tundra can be turned to run length wise in the cockpit and it still fits nicely in front of the console.

Yeti Tundra Coolers work great as a casting platform

Maverick Boats have used carpet for a long time on the under gunnel areas on their boats.  One of the most common jobs I do on Mavericks is replacing that old carpet with SeaDek.  Unfortunately from boat to boat placement of the rod holders seem to vary slightly so there isn’t a one size fits all kit.  If you would like to order a set for your boat, just contact me and I can work through the details with you.  We can do almost any logos you would like on the under gunnel areas and this really dresses the boat up nicely.

The owner of Maverick Boats, Scott Deal's personal boat

Maverick Boats are known for being very stealthy and quite, but one thing that ruin it is a client or friend stomping around in the boat.  We all have been on a boat with someone who isn’t exactly light footed.  A cockpit kit for the floor of the boat dampens sound and makes it more stealthy when trying to sneek up on a school of skittish fish.  Most layouts for our floor kits cover the helm area of the boat creating a helm pad and making it more comfortable when driving the boat also.

17 HPX-V floor kit

Depending upon where you are fishing in your Maverick sometimes staking out with your push pole isn’t a good option.  For instance, many places in Mosquito Lagoon have a harder sand bottom and trying to stake off with the push pole wont work.  If you are fishing down in the Everglades over a soft or muddy bottom, a push pole may work out just fine.  Either way, we always find ourselves in situations where having the capability to stake out is nice.  A great shallow water anchor system I recommend to my clients is the Wang Anchor.  There are different mounting systems depending upon you need.  They make a transom mount system and also a quick release deck mount system.  Both systems have their place in certain instances.  Even just purchasing the pole works great and you can just tie off to the pole with a rope.  The 3/4″ solid fiberglass pole penetrates hard bottom easily allowing you to stakeout and it can easily be stored in the under gunnel rod tubes of your Maverick.

This is the transom mount system on a HPX-V

Every technical poling skiff needs one thing and that is a push pole.  Castaway Customs has you covered there also as we carry many different push poles.  The pole that I’m currently using and for the price can’t be beat is a Loop push pole.  The Loop push pole is made from carbon fiber and is extremely stiff and lightweight.  It can also be made up to 25′ 9″ allowing you to pole more efficiently.

The Loop push poles work great

When it comes to tricking out your skiff, these are only a few of the most popular options and products my customers ask for.  The possibilities are endless and many time the only limits are created by the size of your pockets.  No matter what type of skiff you have, just remember that the purpose is to get out on the water and make some stories of your own.

SeaDek Under Gunnel Pads

When working on a flats boat, one of the most common SeaDek projects is under gunnel pads.  They protect rods and reels while running the boat and also add a very nice custom look to the boat.  I have worked on most boats so I have templates for most under gunnel pads.  Whether you have a Hellsbay, Maverick, Hewes, ECC, Dolphin, Egret, you name it and I should have a template for it.  Some manufactures put stock carpet on the under gunnels and it is easy to replace the carpet with SeaDek.  If you have nothing on the under gunnel of your skiff, it is even easier to apply SeaDek because you don’t have to bother removing the old carpet.  I also work in close relation with many manufactures so if you are ordering a new skiff give me a call and I can get the pads installed directly from the factory so they are on  the boat when you come and pick it up.  Take a look at some pictures of under gunnel pads, we  can do many different color options as well as logos to really give your boat that custom look.  Contact me today at 321-537-2039 or by email at tyler@castawaycustoms.com to have SeaDek under gunnel pads made for your flats boat.

18 Egret Rod Lockers

18 Hellsbay Guide

ECC Vantage

Maverick 18 HPX-V

Aluminum Billet Push Pole Holders

Castaway Customs now is carrying anodized aluminum push pole holders.  They add a very nice look to your skiff and do a great job of holding your push pole.  Whether you are using a Stiffy push pole, Loop Tackle push pole, Biscayne push pole, Moonlighter push pole, or any other brand, they will work.  They are simple to install and light weight.  One of the pieces has a hole machined to put a bungee to make sure you push pole stays attached while running or driving down the highway.  They sell for the $170.00 and shipping is free.  Call 321-537-2039 today to order a set push pole holders for your boat.

Aluminum Billet Push Pole Holder Set

Another view of the push pole holders

Integrated Bungee Holder

Loop Tackle Carbon Fiber Push Poles

Having a flats boat or skiff without a push pole is like being up the creek without a paddle.  A good push pole is a must in order to quietly sneak up and stalk schools of fish.  Whether you are stalking bonefish and redfish on the flats, or staking out on the edge of channels for tarpon or permit a good push pole is a necessity.  There are a few different options as far as push poles are concerned.  Stiffy push poles, from my experience, are probably the most widely used and accepted brand throughout the state of Florida and I’m assuming that statement would be true across the board no matter where you are located.  Moonlighter and and Biscayne also produces both fiberglass and carbon fiber push poles.  Which push pole to buy depends upon your personal preference, price range, and location.  Some people like a very stiff push pole while others like a push pole with slightly more flex to it.  The only real way to decide which works best for you is to try them out for yourself.  Another thing to consider with purchasing a push pole is where the pole is located.  Due to the size of the push poles, shipping can be very expensive and add to the cost, so that is something to keep in mind.

New to the push pole game is Loop Tackle.  Loop has been around for a while in the fly fishing world and made a name for themselves making fly fishing rods and reels.  They are now producing a multi-piece carbon fiber push pole.  In general I think most people always been a little leery of multi-piece push poles.  Depending upon who assembles them, and how they are assembled they have been known to leak and allow water to intrude into the pole which adds weight and is annoying.  Push poles also take a lot stress and abuse, most people only put a ferrule into a pole to repair it and are afraid of breaking a multi-piece poles which have multiple ferrules.  Once again this comes down to the person assembling.  Depending upon which epoxy they use, how long they let it cure, and several other factors, this can literally make or break a pole, no pun intended.  Luckily for everyone, most every Loop Tackle push pole that is around or assembled is put together by Joe Welbourn from Carbon Marine.  Joe specializes in carbon fiber products for the marine industry and specializes in working with epoxies and composites.

I recently picked up one of these poles to try out for myself.  I choose to use a 21′ push pole which is constructed of 4 separate pieces made out of carbon fiber.  I have poled with a Temple Fork Outfitters multi-piece pole, and in my opinion the pole had to much flex and felt to “whippy”.  The TFO pole is quite a bit cheaper though, so for people on a budget or those who don’t pole all the time, it may be a great option.  As soon as I picked up the Loop Tackle push pole, I knew it felt better.  They come with two different grips, one is ribbed similar to a Stiffy Hybrid push pole, but the ribs aren’t quite a large.  The other finish is smoother.  Both the smooth and ribbed finish have shark skin texture to them.  This shark skin texture is smooth when sliding the pole through your hands and gives you good grip when pushing.  It took me a little while to get use to it, but it helps if the pole is wet.  I tested out the pole poling around the Hellsbay Skate.  The pole worked great and I poled several miles into and with the wind.  Overall the performance of the pole was great.  For the Hellsbay Skate which is just under 13′ the 21′ push pole worked great, but the nice thing is the poles can be made up to 25′ .  I’m sure the the longer you extend the pole the flex characteristics may slightly change, but the flex in the 21′ pole seemed perfect.

I liked the poles so much that I decided to add it to the product lines carried by Castaway Customs.  If you are looking for a push pole feel free to call me at 321-537-2039 or email me at tyler@castawaycustoms.com and I can get you exact pricing or answer any of your questions.

Loop Push Pole Product Testing

Loop Tackle Push Pole Foot

21' Loop Tackle Push Pole

Redfish Die Cut Pads

Check out the new redfish die cut pads by Castaway Customs.  A simple yet versatile product that can used in many applications.  They work great as a fly holder, or to stick any lures or jigs in.  We have them in any of the colors of SeaDek.  They have the same peel and stick adhesive so you can use them anywhere.  They work great as a reel pad on the undergunnel of any boat or skiff.  They also look great so you can stick them anywhere as decoration.  It has the same great traction of SeaDek so you can use them as a trailer step pad or on any step for traction.  We will coming out with many other species shortly, so let us know what you would like and we will get started working on it.  To order a pair please contact me at tyler@castawaycustoms or feel free to give me a call at 321-537-2039.

Redfish Fly Holder

Redfish Trailer Step Pad

Redfish Die Cut Pad

Redfish Reel Pad

Poling and Casting Platform Pads

If you have ever spent any time fishing on a flats boat or skiff, you realize that most of the time is spent on either a poling or casting platform.  You are either poling an angler around on the poling platform, or you are the angler on the bow or casting platform.  SeaDek is a great application for both.  If you are strictly looking for traction our 3mm would work, but most customers choose to go with either 5mm or 6mm SeaDek.  The 5mm is a single color foam and has a nice beveled edge which provides a neat finished look.  If you want to add a little flare you can choose to go with a two color laminated foam.  This allows use to route down through the top layer of foam and engrave logos, it also give the beveled edge a two tone look.  For those who guide or just spend long periods of time on a poling platform and need a little extra cushion our 8mm material will provide that extra comfort.  We have a wide variety of patterns and templates to fit most platform tops.  If we don’t already have a pattern we can either scan it or you can order a template kit and make a template we can work off of.  One way or the other we will meet your needs.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me at tyler@castawaycustoms.com or call me at 321-537-2039.

Custom SeaDek on Bluepoint casting platform

Custom SeaDek on Hellsbay poling platform

Applications for SeaDek

SeaDek is a versatile product for boats and everyday use. While it was designed and developed for the marine environment it works well in any environment. The great thing about the sheet material is you can use it so many different applications. While you may not be able to get a nice beveled edge like order a stock or custom product from us, SeaDek cuts like butter with a sharp razor knife. If you are on a budget and cannot afford to have us come out and custom cut pads for your boat, or you are just handy and like a good do-it yourself project, SeaDek sheet material is great. Whether you are working on a large or small project we sell stock sheets in many different sizes that will fit your needs. If are working on a project and cannot find a sheet size that suits your application, feel free to contact us with the size you are looking for and we can assist you. So next time you are looking for some grip and traction or maybe just looking to cover something up think SeaDek.