New AI, first 3 things you would do to it?

[Huwie]

Hi all. I bit the bullet and said goodbye to my trusty outback today, big thanks to Mal and Tony at Sunstate for all of their help. The trip home from redland bay to macleay island was very wet and I almost got stranded on mud flats. Sailing this beast is going to take some getting used to...

So back to the topic, what are the first 3 mods you would do? I'm thinking rod holder bullhorn style will be my first. Is there any advice on stopping the seat back from leaning back?

I'm keen to join the jumpinpin camping trip this weekend so I won't have much time to make any modifications but keen to hear people's thoughts on their best and worst modifications.

Also, is there an adventure island list I can get added to? Secret handshake?

Thanks in advance!

[RedPhoenix]

Good stuff Huwie.

This is what I did:
1a) 2x scotty flush mounts - one each side, just in front of the rudder pull lines.
b) 2x scotty No. 459 Adjustable Rod Holder Extender.
c) 2x No. 280 Bait Caster / Spinning Rod Holder

BCF at Capalaba should have all of these.. but ring ahead regarding the extender.. they're hens teeth.

This gets you a forward adjustable rod holder that can be positioned in such a way that it won't get in the way of your sails.
2) Sounder mount. Have a peek in the wiki for ideas - there are a couple of good ones.

3) Switch out the seat for a sea to summit gts expedition. (Worth looking at later on down the track if you start to get a really sore bum after a few hours in the saddle).

I've done a few other things to the AI in the past, but have reverted to pretty much this configuration; it gets me pretty much everything I need. I might add a couple of rocket launchers behind the seat at some point.. Decay has a couple that I'm occasionally envious of for extended camping trips... but not enough to make me do anything about yet.

Red.

[badmotorfinger]

Divorce, vasectomy and sombrero. Oh, you were talking about boat mods.

I second Red's recommendations but suggest also looking at Scotty Rocket Launcher mounted in same spot - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EJJ972/ref ... nkCode=asn

[Huwie]

Thanks red, where did you buy your seat? I'd like to replace it ASAP, the bottom of mine slipped backwards and the back keeps leaning back until it hits the rear bar...

What do you think of the PVC Rod holder set up that kingdan has n this post? http://74.220.207.170/~akffnet/forum/vi ... 14&t=53305

I'm afraid to drill ones in the kayak, never drilled one in the outback...

[Huwie]

Divorce, vasectomy and sombrero. Oh, you were talking about boat mods.

I've been planning a sneaky vasectomy without my wife knowing and then convincing her we should have a 3rd child

[wfish]

Have a look at the Railblaza stuff. I have two of the new starport mounts and rod holders on the aka bars. No drilling holes and the rods are out of the way when sailing.
All the best...Wfish

[Imax]

The main thing that I take out with me each trip are the Hobie rod holder extensions. I use these everytime to keep my reels that little bit higher and to give me something to leash to. You can easily get away with just using these for the camping trip this weekend if you are trolling a single lure.

I also use a bullhorn style holder to get a better spread for offshore. Mine is basically the same as KingDan's just with 2 45 degree angles and the rest straight. I then just zip tie it to the crossbar with thick zip ties. It is more than strong enough and has handled 10kg Tuna no worries.

The only other real mod I have done is to add a combo sounder/GPS. This is great for offshore but depending on your fishing not entirely necessary. If I am chasing pelagics I often don't even bother turning it on, instead just look for the birds.

This isn't a mod as such but if you don't have a set of tramps I can recomend getting some. Along with the rod holder extensions they are the one thing that comes with me everytime. It is so easy to re-rig a rod or throw a fish out onto the tramp and just multiplies your working area hugely.

Dan

[TheFishinMusician]

New AI?
First 3 things I would do?
I would hug him & love him & squeeze him....

[TheFishinMusician]

I'm with wish, I want the new railblazas for the aka bars.

[RedPhoenix]

Thanks red, where did you buy your seat? I'd like to replace it ASAP

Random amazon-supplier. Can't remember which one; might have been surf to summit direct.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... expedition

What do you think of the PVC Rod holder set up that kingdan has n this post? http://74.220.207.170/~akffnet/forum/vi ... 14&t=53305

Looks good; though I really prefer to watch my rod tips when I'm trolling - particular if it's weedy.

I'm afraid to drill ones in the kayak, never drilled one in the outback...

It's addictive.

Red.

[Huwie]

Random amazon-supplier. Can't remember which one; might have been surf to summit direct.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... summit+gts

I found this mob at caboolture http://www.extremekayaks.com.au/display ... ?pc=KGT400 a bit more expensive than online

[Huwie]

I'm with wish, I want the new railblazas for the aka bars.

This mentions self tapper screws, is the mount you're thinking of available on this page? https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_item ... search123=

[Sunhobie]

Good stuff Huwie.

This is what I did:
1a) 2x scotty flush mounts - one each side, just in front of the rudder pull lines.
b) 2x scotty No. 459 Adjustable Rod Holder Extender.
c) 2x No. 280 Bait Caster / Spinning Rod Holder

BCF at Capalaba should have all of these.. but ring ahead regarding the extender.. they're hens teeth.

Red.

We do have these on the shelf, as well as the scotty rocket launchers, which I recommend for narrow hulls like the AI.
John, you need to check that the twist seat plugs are locked correctly. They can't easily undo.
Glad you made it back to the island by nightfall!!

[john316]

I've just had the chance to do it all again with a replacement hull and when all was said and done I did basically the same as it was before. Keep it simple and very similar to Red's except I prefer the raised Scottys to the flush mounts.

1) scottys left and right with 8" extenders
2) sounder on a small ram mount on the right
3) trampolines.... huge improvement and a must get IMHO

I know you said three but I would also have to say a pair of hobie extension tubes for the back.

cheers

John

PS I know you only said 3 things but I also wouldn't be with out the anchor trolley as I use a drogue a lot when I'm on the ocean...

[Artie]

Not being an AI owner, I dont have the answers you're after....but.... I do want to make an observation.

I recently bought a 12 month old Revo which was previously owned by a Hobie dealer... and it was well fitted out... but I had to change some stuff to suit my needs... (in fact now that I think about it, Ive changed everything) kitting out a Yak is a very personal thing, I wouldnt race into anything without spending serious time in your boat and see exactly what YOU need...

Like the seat for instance.. I added the inflatable hobie base and havent looked back. I regularly spend 8 hours in the seat and have no issues. So before you change yours find out if it suits you, if it doesnt, why doesnt it? Is it under bum padding or support for the back? Is it adjusted correctly? Is it faulty? Mine never shifts from its position once the bottom plugs are locked in.

Google Josh Yakkass in youtube, his AI is set up to fish long periods and you can see it all in action... I do like the tramp set up... for example he has made his own rocket launcher set up as the ram system kept falling over under big hits...

Good luck and enjoy your new boat... I wanna sail!!!!!!!