Hobie Rod Holder for Salmon Trolling

I've been looking for an adapter to transform my existing Hobie molded in rod holder into a rod holder suitable for salmon trolling WITHOUT DRILLING HOLES OR MOUNTING A TRACK RAIL SYSTEM.  So far the Ram wedge mount has proved to be too small to grab hold of the molded in rod holder, and a straight tube won't give the horizontal hold for trolling I want.

So there's the problem.  Surprised Hobie and RAM don't have a solution already.  Any suggestions?

Allen, you could do some kind of PVC contraption that drops into the rod holder and then wedges into the tray so it won't rotate.  Then mount a RAM ball on top of the PVC (cap) to give it the fine adjustment needed.

If you are uncomfortable about drilling holes in your kayak yourself, I'm always willing to help you out.  Drilled hundreds of holes on many many kayaks.

Or something like this.

I like that,  looks like it get the job done

INSAYN you are one of the few I would allow to drill holes in my boat, should it ever come to that.  I do like the idea of a pvc sleeve that would slide into the rod holder with a cap and RAM ball on top.  It might want to "spin" but a shim of some sort might help lock it down, or as you said a piece fitted to that spot so it couldn't move.  Progress!

I like that,  looks like it get the job done

I'm thinking a clamp on RAM ball would be the ticket so that he could move the RAM ball to suit his needs, along with fine tuning the rod angle.

 I think Ram has a new wedge type mount specific for molded in rod holders.
http://www.rammount.com/Products/KayakMounts/PressNLockMounts/tabid/4754/Default.aspx

I'd like to get a look at these as well. Anyone here have experience with these yet?

Skidplate - Not even the folks at RAM in Seattle I spoke with knew about this.  I'm not sure if it would work, but may be worth a try.  They never mentioned it.  Be nice if it'll work.  Hobie Outback rod holders can't be that weird.  I'll check via email before I order again.  Shipping both ways sucks!

Thanks for the help -

Alan

There are free shipping options on Amazon if you can't find it locally. The first one at 27.10 offers free shipping. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=ram+mount+RAP-385-18U&sprefix=ram+%2Csporting%2C380&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Aram+mount+RAP-385-18U

this is my solution to a no drill hobie RAM rod rack.  I use 1.25 inch pvc, it slids perfectly in to the rod holders already on the kayak. 

I built mine using 1 1/4" schedule 4 PVC. The molded in rod holders are 1.75", the PVC outside diameter is close to that.

Pieces needed:

One 4 foot piece of PVC that was cut up to put everything together:

8 x 2.5"
2 x 7.25"
2 x 5.25"
1 x 4.5"

Couplings:

4 each "+"
4 each "T"
2 each "^"

PVC primer and cement

All materiel can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot.

The purple is "primer" that ran out during assembly, it stained the PVC.  Test fit everything on the kayak, and mark each joint with a Sharpie to get the exact angle needed during final assembly/cementing.  I don't know if the primer would stain the kayak hull, so to be safe assemble away from the kayak...and use a drop cloth to catch cement/primer.



I decided to add a flag mount, which adds one "T", one 90º elbow, a 1.25" to 1/2" reduction and a threaded piece of 1/2" PVC.





To pretty it up I painted it with Krylon for plastic, it's bright.

Both of those behind the seat/rear deck rod holders are slick, but keep in mind that AMB has some neck/back mobility issues and really should have his trolling rod somewhere in front of him to make for a more comfortable day chasing salmon. 

I hope those wedge mount RAMS have the holding power needed, as this would certainly be the ticket. 

The red rollcage looks damn stout with all the couplers bunched op against each other. Insayn pick your brain if it don't work you can think of something......... All be it may get complicated or expensive but you can do it!

Using the (near) horizontal rod holders has them within easy reach.  I have back and neck problems too, this set up works well for me.

It is beefy strong, but not too heavy...5lbs according to the bathroom scale.  I had my daughter test it out while I was putting it together.  The end product was the 3rd iteration.  All of the rod holders are pass through, so the base of the reels sit on the coupling.



V1:


V2:

The red rollcage looks damn stout with all the couplers bunched op against each other. Insayn pick your brain if it don't work you can think of something......... All be it may get complicated or expensive but you can do it!

It adds up, all of the pipe and couplers was less than $25, including the flag mount.  The cement and primer was $8, so everything total was about $33?  Quite a bit cheaper than store bought rod holders considering this can hold 4 rods straight up and have two horizontal trolling.