Pic request gear tracs on revo

I got a fish finder from my mother in law for Christmas that I need to install on my revo. I'm thinking of doing gear tracs on the sides so that I can still use the functions of the finder as well as mount 2 more rod holders I don't have mounted yet. Anyone have geartracs on their hobie?

Here's how I've mounted 16" long 1.75" wide GearTracks on the gunwales of my Revolution to hold my fish finder and a couple of rod holders.  The setup works great, and is quite flexible.  I use Scotty mounts, but mounts from a variety of manufacturers will fit in the tracks.



Here's how I get the base for my fish finder off the gunwale when transporting my kayak:

Here's how I've mounted 16" long 1.75" wide GearTracks on the gunwales of my Revolution to hold my fish finder and a couple of rod holders.  The setup works great, and is quite flexible.



Here's how I get the base for my fish finder off the gunwale when transporting my kayak:

Is it easy to reach everything with it that far forward? And are you using the 12" or 16"

I used the 16" tracks, to provide as much flexibility in locating mounts as possible. Here's a "selfie" showing the tracks from the side.  The fish finder and the rear (left side) rod holder are located near the middle of my shins, so they are real easy to reach.  I barely need to lean forward in my seat to reach them.  I usually prefer to locate the left side rod holder a bit further forward than is shown in the picture in my previous posting, so it doesn't get in the way of my feet as much when I'm getting in and out of the kayak.  The picture in my previous posting was taken with the front (right side) rod holder mounted near my feet, which is a bit of a stretch.  However, I don't like trolling with two rods at the same time, even if one of the rods is going to my downrigger, because because the second rod interferes with playing in fish, and you can get some hideous line tangles when bringing in a fish.

Here's a "selfie" showing the tracks from the side.  The fish finder and the rear (left side) rod holder are located near the middle of my shins, so they are real easy to reach.  I barely need to lean forward in my seat to reach them.  I usually prefer to locate the left side rod holder a bit further forward than is shown in the picture in my previous posting, so it doesn't get in the way of my feet as much when I'm getting in and out of the kayak.  The picture in my previous posting was taken with the front (right side) rod holder mounted near my feet, which is a bit of a stretch.  However, I don't like trolling with two rods at the same time, even if one of the rods is going to my downrigger, because because the second rod interferes with playing in fish, you can get some hideous line tangles when bringing in a fish.

Thanks for the info that's exactly what I needed I will be ordering some tonight. Gotta get everything rigged and ready to go

The 1.75" GearTracks are horribly expensive, but I chose them (1) because they are wider and better able to resist the twisting forces put on them by rod mounts, and (2) because they can be mounted completely from the outside using the screws which come with the tracks.  Before you get the narrow GearTracks, which mount with nuts, bolts, and washers, or with a threaded bar, reach inside your Revolution and feel the shape of the area inside the gunwale.  It is quite narrow and arched.  It would be tricky to get the mounting holes centered in this narrow arch, and you'd probably need to bend fender washers to fit the shape of the arch.  If you buy the threaded bar, unless you manage to line up the bar perfectly with the arch, it will end up crossing the arch at an angle, and will only contact the inside of your gunwale on the right corner on one end and the left corner at the other end.

If you get the 1.75" GearTracks, you can mount them in about ten minutes using the drill and screws which are provided.  You won't be able to put screws in two of the inside screw holes, because they'll end up being positioned over the notches on the inside of the cockpit of the kayak, but you'll still have 14 screws through the track, which is more than enough.  Move the track around until the holes are positioned as well as you can, put in two screws, and then put in the rest of the screws.

Do you know anything about the scotty slide tracks. They look like they are narrow but they do not use a screw and nut system and you have to drill the tracks but they are also 1/3 the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Scotty-439BK-16-Slide-Track-16-Inch/dp/B00CMQ4OYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388458289&sr=8-1&keywords=scotty+slide+track

Rod mounts place a great deal of stress on the tracks in which they are mounted.  Think of a rod mount as a crowbar which is trying to tear your track out of your kayak, particularly if the rod mounts are raised up on extenders.  The reason I chose the Yak Attack 1.75" GearTracks, even though they are disgustingly expensive, is because they are really beefy, and because they are wide, which spreads out the stress.

The Scotty tracks are made out of plastic, and are advertised as being somewhat flexible.  I haven't used or seen these tracks.  I generally like Scotty products, but because the Scotty tracks are plastic, I wouldn't buy them unless somebody who had used them for an extended period of time recommended them.  Hopefully people who have used them will respond to your question and give you feedback. 

http://www.demonick.com/kayak/HMR/Gear.Trac/HMR.Gear.Trac.html

Installed on a Revo13 for fishfinder and rod holder.

http://www.demonick.com/kayak/HMR/Gear.Trac/HMR.Gear.Trac.html

Installed on a Revo13 for fishfinder and rod holder.

Do you have any issues with the narrow tracks?

You can save a little cash by ordering the tracks through Hook1.  Nwka gets a nice discount with them

Do you have any issues with the narrow tracks?

Not so far.  The fishfinder doesn't stress it much.  I use the rod holder with a downrigger and have had no issues, but it has only been a single season.  I do believe the fender washers distribute the stress better than the aluminum Fullback bar for the reasons mentioned on the webpage.

Regardless of which Tracs you get and how you mount them be careful the rudder cables are not rubbing on the hardware.

One other comment.  Once I found the "best spots" along the tracs for the Fishfinder and the rod holder, they have not moved.  Interestingly, the best spots were not where I thought they would be.  They were more aft.

In this sense a static installation could have worked as well.  For me the most valuable features of the Tracs over a static installation were the ability to find my best spots and the ability remove all the hardware and have a smooth profile for easier transport and storage.

i went with 12 inch gt-90`s with backers.had next adventure paddle sports do it for me as there was no way i was screwing this up, more than happy with locations and integrity of tracks/install. after multiple salmon hook ups this fall(tracks were done in the summer) all seem very solid.

i went with 12 inch gt-90`s with backers.had next adventure paddle sports do it for me as there was no way i was screwing this up, more than happy with locations and integrity of tracks/install. after multiple salmon hook ups this fall(tracks were done in the summer) all seem very solid.

Thats the same location upfront that I was planning on. I like having things within easy reach. I can order 2 12" with backing plate and hardware for $24 of the narrow track. For me if i am going to go the wide track its not worth if financially. I can just add some Scotty flush mounts.

How did your gear track project turn out? Curious what parts you used and where you installed? Just bought a Revo 13 and am planning the idea. Would like to get your input