Optional equipment Page 5
Transport Cart
The KF12 manual includes the drawings to build this cart. At the end of the day, the 12 footer is more than I want to carry back to the car/truck. The part sources and numbers are included in the drawings. The 20 inch wheels help the boat move easily over uneven ground. The handle serves to move the cart into position under the boat, and the web strap secures the two together. The black verticle bracket from the handle to the transom maintains the alignment of the cart in the 'straight ahead' position. The material cost for the cart is about 65 dollars. If you have a pickup, the boat can be loaded into the truck while on the cart. A couple of lines secure the wheels to the vehicle, and it is ready to go.
The KF12 manual includes the drawings to build this cart. At the end of the day, the 12 footer is more than I want to carry back to the car/truck. The part sources and numbers are included in the drawings. The 20 inch wheels help the boat move easily over uneven ground. The handle serves to move the cart into position under the boat, and the web strap secures the two together. The black verticle bracket from the handle to the transom maintains the alignment of the cart in the 'straight ahead' position. The material cost for the cart is about 65 dollars. If you have a pickup, the boat can be loaded into the truck while on the cart. A couple of lines secure the wheels to the vehicle, and it is ready to go.
Frame 2 Complete - K/F 01-1030 Price $220.00
This is the most challenging of the construction tasks. Here the frame is on the bench. The pedal is visible on the bottom, with the pedal sensors on the upper side. There are two pedal/sensors on the frame. One of the rods supporting the pedal is allowed to move for and aft 1/8 inch. This movement is transferred to a micro-switch when a foot is placed on the pedal, signaling the Motor Controller to start the motor. Here the 1/8 inch travel is being adjusted. The documentation in the manual is complete so the fabrication of this frame can be done with your full attention and KEB assistance is available.
However some builders would rather skip this effort and just purchase the frame complete thus avoiding fabricating the components and the frame assembly.
This is the most challenging of the construction tasks. Here the frame is on the bench. The pedal is visible on the bottom, with the pedal sensors on the upper side. There are two pedal/sensors on the frame. One of the rods supporting the pedal is allowed to move for and aft 1/8 inch. This movement is transferred to a micro-switch when a foot is placed on the pedal, signaling the Motor Controller to start the motor. Here the 1/8 inch travel is being adjusted. The documentation in the manual is complete so the fabrication of this frame can be done with your full attention and KEB assistance is available.
However some builders would rather skip this effort and just purchase the frame complete thus avoiding fabricating the components and the frame assembly.
3 Blade Propeller- K/F 01-1036 Price $ 45.00
The MinnKotta motor is equipped with a 2 blade prop that has a 4 inch pitch (boat moves forward 4 inches for each revolution). This prop provides good thrust (40 lbs if the boat is not moving) to get a heavy boat under way. It is not an optimum prop for a light boat which does not require a lot of power to get going, and the 2 blade prop provides much poorer steering control when in reverse. So we have modified a Nissan O/B motor prop to fit on the MK motor shaft. It has a 7 inch pitch and smaller diameter, giving the KF boats more speed with less battery current, and it greatly improves the handling of the boat in reverse. The factory supplied prop can then be held as a spare.
The MinnKotta motor is equipped with a 2 blade prop that has a 4 inch pitch (boat moves forward 4 inches for each revolution). This prop provides good thrust (40 lbs if the boat is not moving) to get a heavy boat under way. It is not an optimum prop for a light boat which does not require a lot of power to get going, and the 2 blade prop provides much poorer steering control when in reverse. So we have modified a Nissan O/B motor prop to fit on the MK motor shaft. It has a 7 inch pitch and smaller diameter, giving the KF boats more speed with less battery current, and it greatly improves the handling of the boat in reverse. The factory supplied prop can then be held as a spare.
Additional Equipment
A nice advantage to having a battery on board is the ability to power other usefull devices. The above photo shows a fish finder transducer to the right of the motor shaft. The display is on the deck within easy reach of the paddler/fisherman. This boat also has a bilge pump that can empty a completely flooded boat in about 7-10 mins. I have never had to use it, but it provides a lot of comfort when on the water. If you plan to be out in the dark, a stern light post would be very handy. These additions use very little power compared to the motor, and therefor have little effect on the boats range. My favorite is a hunters hand warmer that plugs into a cigarette lighter and keeps me thawed out when steel head fishing. No doubt there will be other amenities that experience will suggest.
