Pa style mounting boards on my yak

[Ghurkin]

Ever since I first set up my yak Ive never been totally happy with it, well I took some action and did some yak pimping, I made some PA style mounting boards and these covered up the old rod holder screw holes, after I plastic welded them shut.

holes before

holes after

This gave me plenty of room to mount whatever I want without putting more holes in the hull, the mounting boards are 9mm thick HDPE so with four 8mm screws holding the rod holders on there not going anywhere.

I have tested this out now several times at Lang Lang in Westernport and had multiple hookups of snapper and gummyshark, good fun and the gear held up well, I have settled on a final position for my rod holders now so have removed 2 of the short screws from each rod holder and replaced them with 20mm screws that go right through the rod holder, mounting board and into the yak.

Before.





After.





Used 9mm black HDPE sheet and stainless steel screws

After the success of my front mounting boards I decided to make and set up a rear/mid mount set of mounting boards, I have always liked the look of Scrumpy's from the UK set up with its rod hoders mounted just aft of the seat, the "armchair" set up he calls it.
Before


After. I can change the angle to whatever I want both vertically and horizontally and the rod leashes clip to the rod holders, it also means I can use four rods now.




Rods can stay in the rod holders and be turned out the way whilst traveling, so much easier than trying to reach directly behind me to fumble a rod into a rod holder on the rear crate.


Anothery view.


With the front mounting boards I can reach the fish finder easily , I like the way tthe front rods are higher now so dont trap my ankles like they did before.

Cheers Ghurkin

[Occy]

That's a really nice job you've done there Ghurkin, especially with the rear ones. Very convenient and cumfy looking. Are they the new BCF Eco rod holders? If so how are you finding them? It's a real bonus having those flat gunwhales on the Hobies eh.

[sbd]

Very clever, Ghurkin.

[Ghurkin]

That's a really nice job you've done there Ghurkin, especially with the rear ones. Very convenient and cumfy looking. Are they the new BCF Eco rod holders? If so how are you finding them? It's a real bonus having those flat gunwhales on the Hobies eh.

Thanks occy, they are very comfy, the overhead reels are almost level with my shoulders, my elbows rest on the rod holders and I can feel every tap tap or bit straight away, just pull the rod forward a little and Im on!! yep they are the new BCF eco holders and I reckon they are great value for money, big tough chunky looking units that are exactly what I was looking for.

the wide flat gunwhales are good however I have a friend that Im makings some up for and his quest 13 has narrow gunwhales so Im welding a side flange on so we can screw it from the top and inside as well

[Ghurkin]

Very clever, Ghurkin.

Thanks sdb

[babylon]

Look very smick steve well done.Cheers Jim

[Ghurkin]

Look very smick steve well done.Cheers Jim

thanks Jim, The rear mounted rod holders are so much better and easier to use, best mod Ive done so far.

[SurfanFish]

Nice work Steve. I'm currently thinking about the fit out for a kingy. You've given me a few ideas.

[Ghurkin]

Nice work Steve. I'm currently thinking about the fit out for a kingy. You've given me a few ideas.

Thanks SF, Ill be interested to see your fit out, you might have to bring it around so we can appraise it over a brew or 3.

[SurfanFish]

Nice work Steve. I'm currently thinking about the fit out for a kingy. You've given me a few ideas.

Thanks SF, Ill be interested to see your fit out, you might have to bring it around so we can appraise it over a brew or 3.

Might be wise if I do this before carving the kingy up. To be honest, this one will be a simple fit out, very similar to the espri. Just mulling over the what to do with rod holders and where to put them.

[smaas]

Pretty neat pimping job! Cheers Steve.

[Ghurkin]

Pretty neat pimping job! Cheers Steve.

Thanks smass, black plastic and stainless steel screws make anything sexier

[Ghurkin]

I moved the forward rod holders forward about 40mm, found I was clicking them with the paddle when paddling hard, also added some stainless steel deck hoops to fill in the old holes and for rod leash attachment.



the good thing is I can move gear anywhere on these boards and no holes in the hull, yay

Cheers Ghurkin

[punchanello]

Ghurkin, how does plastic welding work?

[Chemacky]

Looks awesome mate, well done!

Just wondering if anyone has ever made pockets like those little black mesh ones on each side of the Hobies? They look really useful!