Surfpole multipurpose portable camera mount, navigation light mount and fishing pole mount.

Surfpole Height and Optional Leg Braces

Surfpole uses RAM Mounts components including a ball-and-socket coupler arm.

The Surfpole is available in five arm heights.

Measured coupler to coupler, arms are available at 9" (23 cm), 11" (28 cm), 14" (36 cm), 23" (58 cm) and 74" (33 cm).

The Surfpole at right is our shortest Surfpole arm, measuring 9" from coupler to coupler.

With a base installed on your kayak deck as shown here, Surfpole height is extended by an additional inch.

And with a base and a Vanguard PH-20 Camera Head, the Surfpole height is extended by 5" longer than the arm itself. The total height of the Surfpole shown in the image at right is 14" from kayak deck to camera.

Including the base and camera head height, Surfpoles are available at a total height of 14" (as shown above), 16", 19", 28" and 34".

While a Surfpole itself is capable of carrying exceptionally heavy equipment, your kayak deck must have the strength to support your gear and the strength to manage forces acting at the base of the Surfpole.

The type of activity you will be engaged in, rough surf or calm water, will determine the type of Surfpole installation required to hold your gear securely.

We include an aluminum backing plate and rubber pads with the Surfpole to provide reinforcement for your kayak deck.

For most kayaks and paddlesports activities we recommend a shorter Surfpole (9" or 11").

In calm water, a short Surfpole can host a camera of up to 2 lbs. without requiring additional bracing to moderate forces acting on the kayak deck.

Optional Surfpole Leg Braces

Surfpole leg brace with rigid mount

If you are interested in a taller surfpole or are using any Surfpole in active applications such as sea kayaking and surfing, we recommend the addition of Kayalu Leg Braces.

Click here to view leg braces in our online catalog.

Kayalu Leg Braces provide strength and reduce leverage on your kayak deck at the base of the Surfpole.

Leg braces are highly recommended if you are installing a Surfpole of any height on a thin, fiberglass deck.

Kayalu Leg Braces are available with two different deck-mounting technologies. One has a rigid base, bolted to your deck, and one has a suction cup base.

The image at above right shows our 14" Surfpole (19" from deck to camera), with two rigid-base Kayalu Leg Braces. Each of these rigid-base leg braces is 22" long.

When you are not using the Surfpole and rigid-base legs, the entire assembly (including legs) can be quickly removed, folded and stored, leaving only the Surfpole's base and a small aluminum ball for each leg on your kayak deck.

The Surfpole shown below is the model with a 14" arm (19" from deck to camera) with two leg braces. These leg braces have suction cup bases.

Surfpole leg brace with suction mount

With suction-cup leg braces, the entire assembly including suction cups can be quickly removed, folded and stored, leaving only the Surfpole's base on deck.

Because Surfpole components are interchangeable, you can mount different length Surfpole arms on the same base, using the same camera head and accessories.

As an option for shorter Surfpole models, specifically those having a 9" or 11" arm, we manufacturer slightly shorter leg braces, 18" in length.

The components of a Kayalu Leg Brace can be used independently to host smaller cameras, since the couplers on the leg braces are compatible with 1-inch "B" ball accessories used on our Radpole, ParkerMount and nClamp products.

Other Considerations regarding Surfpole Height

While it would seem that tall Surfpole might be a best choice for professional photography and videography, other considerations of height should impact the choice of Surfpole height.

Surfpole on kayak near Atlantic Wharf, Boston.

A kayak will rock slightly with each paddlestroke, and will also experience movement around pitch and yaw axes.

A video camera mounted atop a tall pole has a wide arc of swing relative to the rolling or pitching deck surface. Its video will capture this movement, so while height can be used to provide an exciting perspective, the increase in motion must be considered.

Regardless of the extraordinary strength and ridigity of the Surfpole, arm height will impact stability. Taller poles are susceptible to vibration, particularly in active use such as sea kayaking over waves or surf.

Shorter and midrange heights provide strength for your gear while capable of being positioned to an unobstructed view of the horizon. These arms are most easily stowed or folded alongside the kayak for portage.

If you are using the Surfpole on a more stable vessel than a kayak deck, such as a wooden boat transom, a tall arm is clearly a good fit. A taller arm provides both maximum height and flexibility. Leg braces should be considered if the vessel is engaged in activity that would jolt, rock or jar the Surfpole arm.

Our strongest possible recommendation is that you mount equipment that is appropriate in weight and height for your specific application. Plan your Surfpole installation carefully, considering installation of a backing plate, reinforcements and leg braces as necessary.

At Kayalu, we'd prefer that you return or exchange an incorrectly matched Surfpole than hearing that you installed a mount in a way that might compromise your kayak deck or paddling activity. Our mounts — particularly the Surfpole, may be virtually indestructible, but your kayak deck can be damaged with a compromised installation. Contact us if you'd like further consultation regarding a particular application.

More Information about the Surfpole

Surfpole is made in the USA.
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