New Hobie owner!!

Just walked out of AK raft/kayak. Proud new owner of a papaya outback. I'm heading to Hawaii tomorrow so I'll be picking it up when we get back on the 18th. Best moment was when my 4 year old walked up to me in the shop and said "daddy can we please get the yellow one". "Okay son, just for you".....then dad slips him a 20.  It comes with the st fins, how crucial would you outback owners say it would be to upgrade to the turbos? Or the upgraded rudder? I'll also need to decide on a rod holder setup so any feedback would be appreciated. Can't wait to go fishing!

Congrats on the new boat. I would say it's super crucial to upgrade to the turbo fins and large rudder. Take it out on one trip with a friend who has the upgrades and you will soon realize the difference.

Just walked out of AK raft/kayak. Proud new owner of a papaya outback. I'm heading to Hawaii tomorrow so I'll be picking it up when we get back on the 18th. Best moment was when my 4 year old walked up to me in the shop and said "daddy can we please get the yellow one". "Okay son, just for you".....then dad slips him a 20.  It comes with the st fins, how crucial would you outback owners say it would be to upgrade to the turbos? Or the upgraded rudder? I'll also need to decide on a rod holder setup so any feedback would be appreciated. Can't wait to go fishing!

The nice thing about the outback is you have lots of room for fishing gear mounted on the deck. If you are going with gear tracks I'd get the gt175 tracks.

Have fun!

I would go with the foible rod holders but not their flush mount.  Kenai guy says the Scotty Orcas are just as good if not better but I really like the foible rod holders.  If you plan on using anything bigger than a salmon rod, go with the full size and not the jr folbe's.

Oh congrats!  You are going to love it!

Living in Kenai, I think the Kenai River even on powerboat days are very do-able as well.  Its one thing I want to do at some point.  Most definitely the silvers and of course the kings when the numbers come back up.

Congrats!  If all goes according to plan, I'll be making a similar post in a few months.  Already ordered the fish finder, now I just need the new boat to go with it!

Thanks guys, what would be the best option (if any) if I wanted to utilize the built in rod holders and not have to drill?

Thanks guys, what would be the best option (if any) if I wanted to utilize the built in rod holders and not have to drill?

You're going to drill sooner or later, go with kardinal_84's advice and get the foibe. There are plenty of write ups to help with proper location and install.  Not to mention a lot of guys in Alaska with tons of info on the Hobies

Thanks guys, what would be the best option (if any) if I wanted to utilize the built in rod holders and not have to drill?

I agree that you are going to probably drill some holes at some point.  No big deal though it is tough to do your first time.  I did pick up a great tip from Coosbayyakker on this board.  He mounted a circular scotty flush mount into one of his front rod holders.  But then its four small screw holes versus an inch plus hole you need to drill for flush mounts.  The foible flush mounts suck.  Even the company rep was very hesitant to recommend them.  I hate them sticking out but I recently replaced my foible flush mount to a pedestal mount now and its rock solid. 

Here's an image of the scotty flush mount. 

Congrats on the new boat. I would say it's super crucial to upgrade to the turbo fins and large rudder. Take it out on one trip with a friend who has the upgrades and you will soon realize the difference.

He's right.  Get the turbo fins and the sailing rudder.

You're going to drill sooner or later . . .

He's right.  Don't worry about drilling holes.  For many kinds of fishing you have to drill holes in order to install a fish finder, rod holders, and other equipment.

On my Revolution, I mounted YakAttack 175 gear tracks on the gunwales next to my lower legs, and I mount my fish finder and my trolling rod holder(s) on the tracks.  The advantage of mounting gear on gear tracks, particularly for a new kayak angler, is that it allows you to change or adjust your setup in a few seconds, either from time to time during the day, or from day to day, as you learn more about how you like to set up your kayak, and as you fish for different species of fish.  You can also mount equipment from a variety of manufacturers on the same gear track.  The YakAttack 175 gear tracks are expensive, but they can be easily mounted from the outside using screws, and because they are wide they do a good job of spreading out the stress from trolling rods.

The drill fear is real but after much research I decided to purchase the scotty rod holder mount with backing plate and marine goop for gear support.  Just makes sense to me.  Rivets seem to be ideal for lighter gear use and for installation for areas on your kayak where its impossible to access the bottom of your mount.  I guess it depends on what type of fishing you'll be doing. 

Congrats!   You'll love having the Hobie.   I have to pile on and recommend the sailing rudder and Turbos.   Both make a difference when the wind kicks up.   I thought for a while that I would not do the Turbo fins for my wifes 2015 outback, and ended up with them after all.   Save your pennies and buy them before the spring fishing gets hot.

I took Kardinal's advice and used the flush-mount over existing rod tube approach for the 2015.   It works great, and if I ever needed to pull it, it's only 4 small holes - easily filled/patched.   I started with the Scotty rod holders (standard baitcaster style) and have switched up to the Scotty Orca's.   I dont have many fishing days with the Orcas (bought in Oct.) so it's mostly dry-testing, but they seem quite similar to the Folbes, perhaps a bit heftier, and are good build quality.    I also bought the scotty long posts (not the extensions, the ones you replace the short posts on the stock orca's) and now they sit up about 10",6 to 7" higher than the standard.    Better clearance for my feet/drive when running it across the kayak right to left. 

I like the flush/deck mount as it doesnt hang up on my rack bars when loading/unloading.   For same reason I installed the ram ball mount inside the right side channel, just forward of the rt side drink holder.   I had to cut about 1cm off the side of the ball mount disc to get it to fit well, but it keeps in low-profile as well.   Short segment of gear track in those channels would likely work well, would like to hear from someone with a 2015 that rigged that way and see some pics. 

PS - you'll like the adjustability of the new seat.   We now have kayak inequality in my household, sounds evil but I am hoping Susan wont want to fish most days and I'll get to use her 2015 more than she does....

Note the last pic shows the FF install on the near side of the scotty flush mount, but does NOT show the new Orca Rod holders.
 

Thanks again, honestly not too worried about drilling holes, after having to drill through my cedar strip kayak I built a few years back I got over that fear. Just thought it would be nice to utilize rod holders that are already there. I like the idea of gear tracks. Gonna have to look into that. Any other upgrades/mods that I should look into right away? I appreciate all the feedback.
Rudy- definitely gonna hit up the Kenai River next year. Also going to try for some halibut out by the can. Heard there's been some nice halibut pulled up just south of the can. (Kenai River mouth)

sounds like a plan. I haven't tried it bit it sounds like the surf casters do better off the mouth of the kasilof river.  you are going to love it!!!

Nice new boat!  You are living the dream now!

I hated drilling my first hole... But the next couple dozen haven't bothered me.  Done carefully, it's fine; and you can't be too serious about fishing for long stretches wo mounting some stable rod holders.

I'm replacing my flush mount Scotty tomorrow for the Folbe pedestal.  I've had that Scotty and the bolts holding it for 6 years...been using the Folbe in the Scotty mount... Pretty wobbly. 

One thing I learned and liked from the intertube-videos is buying a small (9x12 or so) 1/4 inch thick plastic cutting board to use as a in-state backing plate for anything I mount that will take weight or stress.  I cut the backing piece,  drill matching holes,  load on some sealant,  and mount up.  I probably started that bc I didn't see that Scotty or Folbe made backing plates... But I also like the cheapness and the DIY nature of it.

Like others said the gear track mounting stuff is great and makes configuration much more fluid for different  types of fishing (or if ever you are to loan your boat to a lefty...).

Just grab your credit card and go to Yakattack and/or Austin Canoe and kayak... And start buying all the stuff that looks cool...    ;-)

See you out there!

Just unpacked my boat last night and everything looks great. Dang that seat is impressive. I have to say I'm glad to have started out on a much more modest fishing platform. (the SUP). Makes me really appreciate this thing. I was looking into getting the gear tracks for my rod holders. My only concern is that I like to have my pole on the starboard side, going across to the port side. It seems to me that the track adapter could loosen if I get a big hit or if I'm trolling heavy weight. Is there a solution to this other than running the pole to the opposite side? Maybe this isn't an issue at all.

I ended up getting the turbo fins and sailing rudder. My first outing will be in Homer so I think I'll run the boat "stock" until I'm fishing in cook inlet. This way I can really compare things after I install the upgrades. Plus I don't feel I need to be going at any kind of speed when I'm right off the spit.

One other question, I currently have some scotty pedestal mounts. Do the scotty/folbe pedestal mounts have the same bolt pattern if and when I switch to Folbe? (this only applies if I don't use the gear tracks)

Cant wait to get out there. BTW,  I was very impressed with AK raft/kayak customer service and pricing as well if anyone hasn't been in there yet. Great guys. See you out there...