Hobie Revolution and where do you put GPS/FF, front rod holder, downrigger ----

Hi Folks: Have demoed, bumped, thumped and dumped the Adventure, Revolution and Outback, in this past week. Great yaks,  love the pedaling and paddling alternative at my age. The Revolution by far is my pick at this point.  Wondering about realestate use such as the placement of GPS/FF combo, front rod holder, downrigger for salmon season, compass, I love saltwater fly fishing, so line control in the cockpit (saw Zee's helpful rubbermaid lid), lunch etc.  Would like to make a decision soon. I forgot to crawl up and open the front hatch  anyone done that?  Any hints, thoughts, experience on any and or all of this would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, holt

holt..... RevoRoy would be one of your best people to answer that since hes got one himself and has done some really nice pimpin it out.

  Great to hear that you got some time in and are finding what you like.  Although I went with the Adventure I'll admit to still sometimes lusting after the Revo (and the Tridents and Tarpons, Cobra Explorer etc.), there are LOTS of great boats out there.

    Since I only fly fish I am figuring out things as I go and having a great time doing it. It is far easier to sit side saddle when casting, line managment being the name of the game. I've been finding fish close in by watching the surface for activity. Since fishing deep isn't a fly rods stong point anyway I've yet to get a fish finder, been spending the money on safty and such instead. I have managed to tangle fly line around my feet, the pedals, the drive fins, the rudder, the other rod, deck cleats, and am looking for more places to do so as it usually means there are fish near.

    When I do get a FF it'll go in front of the pedals. It is maybe a bit far away but much easier for line managment issues.  Also need to be thinking about the back cast so some thought goes into whats behind you as well. A rod holder with extra rod pointing straight up is going to be a major hassle. When looking at other people's boats remember that what they have set up is what works for them and the way they fish, yours may be different. Getting out and fishing several times before doing any permanent rigging is the way to go as far as I can tell. Chris

  Holtfisher,, on my Revo i put the finder in front of center hatch, but that won't work for fly fishing,, mast hole? maybe off-set foward 4 in,, would be clear be of peddles then...
   Unless you have gps it dosen't need to be close, use auto modes,,

Check out the way this guy mounted his Fish Finder:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=6484


Scroll down the thread to the pics. More on the second page, too.

Check out the way this guy mounted his Fish Finder:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=6484


Scroll down the thread to the pics. More on the second page, too.

That cupholder mount on the 2nd page is pretty slick, but I especially like the way that guy mounted it in the orange Adventure so you can put it in any of the flush mounts. Wonder where I've seen that before,,,,,hmmmmmm 

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1390.msg10766.html#msg10766

Wondering about realestate use such as the placement of GPS/FF combo, front rod holder, downrigger for salmon season, compass, I love saltwater fly fishing, so line control in the cockpit (saw Zee's helpful rubbermaid lid), lunch etc.  Would like to make a decision soon. I forgot to crawl up and open the front hatch  anyone done that?  Any hints, thoughts, experience on any and or all of this would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, holt

 The very best thing to do is take the boat out before you start mounting stuff. The living room is nice and everybody elses rig is good for ideas, but it's not the water and its not your boat.
  Doing it (or at least feeling it out) in the water will give you a much better idea of where your whole paddle swing (which BTW, you do more of than you think on the Hobie) will be and what it feels like to sit in different fishing positions (straddled, side saddle,,,,).
 Take a marker with you and think about where the rod butt is as well as the tip before you mount the rodholders. Same with the cleats, FF, etc. Scoot up to that front hatch (hint: straddle the boat) and open it up and close it. Its really not as hard as you think, but it does take a modicum of practice.

Do you HAVE to do it that way? No, but it might save you some welding time to fill the holes you made because you want to put that cleat somewhere else so it does not bark your knuckle every other stroke. (DAMHIK )*


Wali




*Don't Ask Me How I Know  

Well I don't have a clear picture of my fish finder at the moment...and my current install as far as wires and transducer isn't exactly permanent...

I just mounted mine on a ram mount on the rail beside the pedals as I did with the ram tube rod holder on the other side...the rod holder works in this position but for whatever reason the ff seems to get in the way a bit...especially when throwing your legs over to straddle the yak....

I may end up moving it and just leaving the ram ball so i can switch sides with the rod holder

as for getting to the front hatch...it isn't a problem at all..just straddle and slide up a bit

i've been struggling to decide what to do with my ff...its great in the mast hole from what I can see on other peoples rigs accept I can't reach it...and i like to play with it lol

but i can see where landing a big fish could destroy my setup lol

To all! Thank you so very much for your great input including the links!  Great stuff!!!! Sounds like pulling a rod or two out of the front hatch can be done out on the water with some practice.  Wow there is lots to think of and great value in not drillin and cuttin until plenty of time on the water. Appreciate the help,  will be in touch, holt.