What does a fishing kayak look like when an experienced angler rigs it with no compromises? In a video from the American kayak fishing channel Wendell Fishing, two anglers compare their boats: Jeff Burlingame shows his NuCanoe Unlimited MAX and Wendell his Bonafide XTR130. We sell both kayaks in the Baltics, so we summarised the key points and added what is worth taking for your own kayak.
This video focuses on the NuCanoe Unlimited MAX setup. The Bonafide XTR130 rig is covered in detail in another video by the same authors.
NuCanoe Unlimited MAX: what kind of kayak is it
The Unlimited MAX is the largest and most stable NuCanoe fishing kayak. It is built for anglers who want to stand, carry a lot of gear and use an electric motor. We cover the whole NuCanoe range in our NuCanoe fishing kayak overview.
How the kayak is rigged: from bow to stern
Bow: motor and cable management
At the bow sits a Minn Kota Terrova motor with GPS anchoring that holds the kayak in place without an anchor. The author jokes that he once ran the motor over with his truck and it still works. All cables connect through Anderson connectors mounted flush in the hull. This makes it quick to disconnect gear and keeps the wiring tidy.
The brain of the kayak hides in the NuCanoe GearPod box at the bow. It holds the fish finder unit and two 20 Ah batteries wired in parallel. That gives 40 Ah of capacity while keeping the setup light and compact.
Electronics: fish finder and sonar
A 12 inch Garmin screen is mounted in front of the angler and comes off for transport. Next to it are a power switch panel, cockpit lights and navigation lights, which some waters require when paddling early in the morning or in the evening. The forward facing sonar sits in a Railblaza mount. The author admits the mount works loose during the day, so he carries a screwdriver. For more on choosing and mounting a fish finder, see our fish finder guide.
Deck: tackle boxes, controls and small things
Under the seat sits a ShortStak box for small items: tools, scales, sunscreen. Mounted on the track is a YakAttack TracPak for lures that need to stay within reach. A hook removal tool is always close by, because sooner or later every angler needs one.
The rear Newport NK300 HD motor is steered with the feet, and the throttle is mounted on the seat side tray so it is always at hand. For this setup NuCanoe offers the SideTray Throttle plate. The motor has a rock guard. The author deliberately ran over stumps and branches and the prop came out undamaged.
Stern: rods, wheels and batteries
Six rods are carried in a BlackPak Pro crate (16 x 13 inches). The author thinks this is the best size: roomy enough without taking up too much space. Wheels are mounted at the stern so the kayak can be rolled to the water. The NuCanoe stern is reinforced, so even a fully loaded kayak does not rip the wheels out. The side tracks hold a YakAttack LeaderBoard measuring board and Cup Holder Pro cup holders.
The battery box for the rear motor holds a 36 V and a 12 V battery. After 8 hours of fishing with both motors there was still 70% charge left. The rear motor uses the NuCanoe quick connect system, so removing it takes about a minute.
Pros: what the author values most
- Stability. According to the author, this is the most stable kayak he has paddled. He even stands on the seat and walks from bow to stern.
- Load capacity. Two motors, several batteries and a big screen, yet the extra weight is barely noticeable on the water.
- Tracks. A main track runs along the whole kayak, plus six accessory tracks on each side. There is more room for accessories than you need.
- Setup. Rigging everything takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on whether the kayak comes on a trailer or in a pickup.
Cons: what could be improved
- Weight. A fully rigged big kayak is heavy. In the author’s view, a rigged Unlimited MAX and Bonafide XTR130 weigh about the same.
- Battery box position. It could sit further back. Now the seat has to move forward, so more waves come over the bow. The Unlimited MAX cuts waves better than the regular Unlimited, but it does not remove spray completely.
- Water tightness. In the rain, water can seep into the closed compartment.
- Enclosed space. NuCanoe is known for its open deck, but here part of the space is closed. The author would have preferred open space for two crates.
What about the Bonafide XTR130?
Wendell paddles a Bonafide XTR130 and both anglers agree that the two kayaks are very similar in stability. The most stable spot on the XTR130 is the front platform, which is comfortable to stand on. The biggest XTR130 advantage both anglers point out is the dry storage under the deck, where gear stays dry. The Bonafide setup details are covered in a separate video by the same authors.
Which one to choose? If standing, walking around the kayak and mounting lots of accessories matter most, the Unlimited MAX with its track system is stronger. If dry storage and a clean, simple deck layout matter more, go for the XTR130. For more on choosing a fishing kayak, see our fishing kayak guide.
What to take for your own kayak
Even if you do not plan to run two motors, this video offers practical ideas for any fishing kayak:
- Use thread locker on accessory bolts so vibration does not loosen them.
- Mount power connectors flush in the hull: the cables stay tidy and gear is easy to remove.
- Fit a prop guard on your motor if you fish around stumps and rocks.
- Keep a hook removal tool within reach.
- Choose crates by what you carry every time, not by how much room the kayak has. For more ideas, see our 10 kayak fishing modifications article.
And most important: the video mentions an angler who fell out of his kayak the day before. The water was about 14 degrees Celsius and he was wearing a t-shirt and no a life jacket. It ended well only because the water was shallow. A life jacket is the first accessory every kayak should have.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stand on a NuCanoe Unlimited MAX?
Yes. The author of the video stands not only on the deck but also on the seat, and walks around the whole kayak. It is one of the most stable fishing kayaks.
How long does it take to set up a rigged kayak?
It takes the author 5 to 10 minutes to rig everything. The rear motor on the NuCanoe quick connect system comes off in about a minute.
What is the difference between the NuCanoe Unlimited MAX and the Bonafide XTR130?
They are similar in stability. The Unlimited MAX has more track for accessories and more room to walk around. The Bonafide XTR130 has a standing platform at the bow and dry storage under the deck.
Video
This article is based on the Wendell Fishing video We BOTH Built Our DREAM Fishing Kayaks… But One of Us Went TOO FAR! (in English): watch on YouTube.
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