Any Kayak Modification Regrets?

Its not a major deal, but more holes than I needed. When I mounted my anchor trolley and zig-zag rope cleat, I did it with the seat out. Putting the seat back in and trying to tie off the anchor since, the left forward support strap for the seat, runs down to its mount and is in the way, making half of the cleat useless. As I said, not a big deal and planning to relocate it this weekend, but now there's holes that didn't need to be there.

Its not a major deal, but more holes than I needed. When I mounted my anchor trolley and zig-zag rope cleat, I did it with the seat out. Putting the seat back in and trying to tie off the anchor since, the left forward support strap for the seat, runs down to its mount and is in the way, making half of the cleat useless. As I said, not a big deal and planning to relocate it this weekend, but now there's holes that didn't need to be there.

Just goop and plug the holes with rivets.  You can later take these back out and weld in some replacement plastic that you can get from the manufacture. 

At first, I hated how I could not get the RAM mounts to tighten enough to hold in position.  After using them enough though, I have found that it's all in how you position them.  I have a RAM Revolution rod holder positioned in front of me so that the rod crosses my mirage drive when I'm trolling.  The fact that it sags down when something pulls on it while I'm trolling or on anchor actually helps me get the rod out of the rod holder more quickly. 

Additionally, imagine the rod holder arm sticking straight up in the air and the cradle part positioned horizontally.  If I loosen up the nob to adjust the cradle and bend it down(so that if it had a rod in it, the rod would be pointing into the cockpit), then bend the arm out so the arm is almost horizontal, the cradle now holds the rod so the reel is on the outboard side of the pivot ball, but the rod is still crossing the cockpit and pointed upwards a bit.  I have trolled with the rod holder positioned this way with a 9 ft. rod, 8 oz. of lead, and didn't need to crank down on the ball joint for it not to move.  It worked perfectly.

The only advice I would give would be to make sure you paddle before you decide where to mount your accessories. Don't try to figure it out in your driveway. Take your time and make sure you have all your accessories mounted securely and out of the way of your paddle strokes (all of them), your fishing gear, and lastly you're body.

make sure you paddle before you decide where to mount your accessories. Don't try to figure it out in your driveway. Take your time and make sure you have all your accessories mounted securely and out of the way of your paddle strokes (all of them), your fishing gear, and lastly you're body.

You can say that again 4 or 5 times and you still have not said it enuf. Especially that last part about moving around on boat and sitting in different positions. Most folk forget that you don't have to stay in the cockpit of an SOT.
Plan carefully and you can mount your accessories well within reach yet out of your way (or removable) the first time.

Its not a major deal, but more holes than I needed. When I mounted my anchor trolley and zig-zag rope cleat, I did it with the seat out. Putting the seat back in and trying to tie off the anchor since, the left forward support strap for the seat, runs down to its mount and is in the way, making half of the cleat useless. As I said, not a big deal and planning to relocate it this weekend, but now there's holes that didn't need to be there.

Just goop and plug the holes with rivets.  You can later take these back out and weld in some replacement plastic that you can get from the manufacture.

Great idea about Goop and rivets. May not even bother with the future welding, it was such a great suggestion....Thanks!

Just goop and plug the holes with rivets.  You can later take these back out and weld in some replacement plastic that you can get from the manufacture.

When I drill a hole, I save the shavings of plastic.  Got a small baggie of them in various colors for the different yaks.  When I fill a hole it has worked to melt the shavings into the hole with a plastic welding iron.  I'm not the best as making it pretty, but it works.

Just marine goop on its own also works great for patching a drill hole temporarily.

Just goop and plug the holes with rivets.  You can later take these back out and weld in some replacement plastic that you can get from the manufacture.

When I drill a hole, I save the shavings of plastic.  Got a small baggie of them in various colors for the different yaks.  When I fill a hole it has worked to melt the shavings into the hole with a plastic welding iron.  I'm not the best as making it pretty, but it works.

Oh sure, Indy...now you tell me. That plan requires pre-planning and functioning brain cells, of which I have few remaining. I've drilled and even cut a couple of nice holes now, never even considered keeping the shavings.....damn!