Cabin Fever Project: The GoPro Creeker Stern Mount

A Home Project for Under $50

Winter doldrums, bring on some unique thoughts on how to get that kick ass image, or that sick stomp video on the big drop with your GoPro camera. 

After viewing some of Nick Troutman's YouTube videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G63TOHluqno) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_kafBg_Evk) I wanted to find out how he managed to get the great POV shots positioned from the stern of the Jackson Villain. 

I then found this article from Darin McQuoid (http://worldkayakblogs.com/jscreekin/2010/10/06/gopro-kayak-mount/) describing how he managed to fabricate the mount from ABS. I liked the idea, however, I felt that it really exposed the end of the mount (where the camera sits) to being snapped off. I wanted to do something similar, while providing some protection to the camera in the event of it being snapped off. Here is what I managed to put together.


Step 1. Get the following supplies from your local hardware store

• ABS 2" 5'
• 3X2" flexible coupling
• 3" Toilet flange
• ABS glue4 1" double sided velcro
• 2" ABS 90 degree elbow
• 2.5 pipe clamp
• 1/4  2 1/2" eye bolt
• 1/4  1/1/2" bolt
• 1/4 " Bonded seal washers
• 2" T threaded cleanout
• 2" ABS caps
• 2" threaded male adapter
• Gopro  tripod mount
• 1/4" bolt 1" - washer - teflon lock bolt
• 24" parachute cord
• small carabeiner
• spare foam (pool noodle)
• GoPro tripod mount (from camera shop)

Step 2. Gather the following tools to start the project

• Recip saw (or hack saw)
• rubber mallet
• screwdriver - various bits
• drill 1/4 drill bit
• socket set

Step 3.  Remove the grab handle from back of Villain

Step 4. Cut 4 1" sections of double sided adhesive velcro and place on underside of toilet flange while lining up the holes which coincide with holes on Villain. Press firmly. Please note: The flange lines up perfectly with the holes on the Villain, please be sure it does so on your creeker. If not, you may have to modify the flange by drilling new holes to line up, or creating a shim template to meet the holes on your creeker.

Step 5. Take one 1/1/2" (1/4") bolt with two 1/4 " bonded seal washers and secure the toilet flange into one of the grab handle holes. In the other hole, use the 2 1/2" (1/4) eye bolt with two 1/4 " bonded seal washers. This eye bolt will be used as a tether anchor in the event the mount breaks off.

Step 6. Loosen hose clamps and take rubber mallet to seat the 3" X 2" flexible reducer onto the toilet flange.

Step 7. Cut the following lengths off of the 5" ABS pipe with reciprocating saw or hacksaw.

• 26" ABS length
• 2 2" ABS length
• 1 3" ABS length

Step 8. Dry fit the following pieces in this fashion.

•     Take 2" T threaded cleanout and place the cut 3" ABS length onto the top (non threaded) of the cleanout
•     Take 2" ABS 90 degree elbow and place on top of this piece
•     Take the 2" threaded male adapter and thread into the threaded portion of the cleanout
•     Place the 2" section of ABS pipe (cut previously) into the female end of the male adapter and place a 2" ABS cap on the end
•     Place the other 2" section of ABS onto the 90 degree elbow and place a 2" ABS cap on the end

Step 9. Hand tighten the 2" threaded male adapter in place with all the pieces on place. Mark with a pencil the level point on top. Take the threaded male adapter and loosen 1/4 turn so that you can now drill a 1/4" hole into the threaded portion of the adapter (about mid way from the end of the section)

Step 10. Remove the 2" threaded male adapter. Take 1" 1/4" bolt, and place inside of hole. Place washer on outer side, and tighten with socket set a teflon lock nut leaving approximately 1/3 of the bolt end exposed for the tripod mount. Screw the 2" threaded male adapter back to hand tight (which will have the bolt end facing upwards)

Step 11. Place GoPro tripod mount http://gopro.com/camera-mounts/tripod-mount onto exposed bolt and adjust the thread depth so that the tripod mount lines up. You might have to tighten / loosen the teflon lock nut to achieve the right alignment of the tripod mount. You really only need about 3-4 threads exposed off the top to have the mount seat in nicely. It takes a bit of playing around to find the right combo of shimming washers to achieve the right depth. Place GoPro camera onto tripod mount.

Step 12. Once all is positioned and you are getting the appropriate positioning for the camera achieved, take ABS glue and adhere all the pieces (except for where the ABS goes to the flexible reducer). Do not glue the threaded portion of the male adapter, in the event you need to gain access to the bolt.

Step 13. Take some spare foam, a pool noodle is the best, and stuff it in the hollow of the long ABS section. This will give you some added flotation in the event the mount breaks off, and becomes separated from your boat. It makes retrieving your camera a tad bit easier.

Step 14. Take the 2' section of bungee cord and attach it to your GoPro tether, down to the 1/4" eye bolt on the flange. Secure it to the eye bolt with the small carabeiner. 

In Darin's article he makes mention to having a solid reducer instead of a flexible one, as he wanted to avoid the swing the flexible reducer has. In doing so, he would have to glue this piece in place. Personally, I like the flexible reducer better, as it does allow you to take the arm of the mount off for loading onto your vehicle. (perhaps with other boats being stacked). Personally, a little swing back and forth in the mount is hard to notice when you are hitting rapids, as it is hard to distinguish what is mount sway, and what is rapid action onto the boat. I'm staying with the flexible reducer.

Again, a disclaimer. You are altering the safety aspect of your kayak by removing a grab handle, so please be aware that by doing so you are impeding your ability to extricate yourself in a pin, or helping a swimmer in need. If you choose to mount this onto your boat, you do so at your own risk.

Total cost for all of the supplies and GoPro Tripod Mount will come close to $50.

Stay tuned to some GoPro video footage from my new mount.

Non Commercial Permit Application for The Colorado River - "The Grand"

Weighted Lottery System (2012 Lottery - Feb 1-23 / 2011)


After waiting for 14 years on the old "get in line" permit application process, I was fortunate to get a permit for a 2008 launch down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This expedition was shared amongst 7 other mates, and it still is one of the biggest highlights of my life. The whitewater was excellent, and at times quite scary, especially going through a flooded Lava Falls section! However the highlight of the trip was simply being there. The silence, solitude, and feeling very insignificant all made for a very memorable trip. Our group was solid and the food was exceptional. We used Canyon REO for our additional equipment, shuttle, and food services. By far, the key highlight of my paddling career. Fortunately now, the NPS has revamped the permit application process into a weighted lottery system in attempts to streamline the application process as well as to rid the system of the stragglers who tie up launches and never follow through with their intentions...which bogs the system. They have also increased the amount of launches per year as well. 

So what is a weighted lottery system?

Well in a nutshell, in your first year you will get a single draw, and each subsequent year thereafter up to 5 years, you will receive an additional draw. So, by year 5, and there after you will have 5 chances of getting a draw. That's the short and sweet of it. There are plenty of other questions which can be asked, so reference the NPS FAQ page, to learn more about what it is all about.

How do I sign up?

Well, click here to go to the NPS secure profile / login page. Here you will need to make a profile (see picture below). Once you have created your profile, you will be sent an e-mail by the NPS granting you a password (which you can change later). Once you log in, you can change your profile, and access the process of purchasing a permit application, just like you would for any other form of online banking. You will be able to select 5 potential dates for when you would like to go. Once you have paid the $25 application fee, you are entered in for the draw. It is really that easy. Cancellation dates are made available during the draw year, however it does give you limited time to plan for such a trip. Good Luck!