Share Your Innovations

[JohnMckroidJr]

Downrigger Mounted

[rampage559]

I just got my first Hobie Outback this last sat and my first mod was done that Sunday. I will be doing mostly bass fishing and trout fishing while camping, so two of the most important things to me was an ice chest and tackle storage.

Locally in Fresno it can reach 105 degrees in the summer, no shortage of cold beverage is acceptable on this days lol. Up in the mountains while camping a nice craft beer while trolling makes the day since I wont be driving.

Initially I was looking for a basket the size of a milk crate but that I can enclose easily, so I do not loose my gear. After an hour in lowes of not finding anything that satisfied my itch. I ran across a ice chest and thought to my self, this could work. I had to get two scrape pieces and silicon them in to cover the entire length of the chest.

I decided to partition the chest with plexiglass from lowes scrap pile (1$ per scrap) with some silicon it made for a nice permanent solution. I may add foam though for better insulation between partitions and to keep my tackle from making racket.

I ran into an issue with my rode holders and luckily I mocked it up and realized I could not open the chest unless they were on the front. So I attached the front of the chest and got it in the Yak. I tested this out and did not like it at all. So i started to brain storm and took off the hinges and said well I can just make it so the top completely comes off from any side.

I then noticed if i flipped the hinges they would make great tie down points to anchor the cooler. Turns out little tie that I used to keep the front of the cooler shut makes a good hinge and allows me to open the cooler with no issue. You might be confused here with what I did, so its a good thing I have some pics.

I also made two rode leashes out of old cell phone chargers.

Total cost was 85$ at lowes, however this expense also covered a bucket of bungees, 15$ worth of ties for my house pole storage and the stuff to make the rod leashes minus the cell chargers (carabiner and ties)

[Chuck D]

So, I got my new sweet Limited Edition from Andy, would never get a yak from anyone else Decided that I would like to add some rails because I was sure they would be useful for many purposes (even if not for what I originally intended). So I ordered 2 small rails 9" I think. At first I thought for sure to hold my FF Head unit and then a couple rod holders would be nice (I always add scottys and they work) got a couple railblazas I can add to the mix from my adventure. Installed on the left, fits perfect over the cup holder. On the right it just does't match up with the Outback design so machined an inch or so off and fit like a charm. Once I drilled the 4 holes, gooped it up, added the washers and clamped down. Here are some pros and cons that I found after a month of use, overall I love the addition to the yak!

Pros:
hold to control yak when launching/landing in surf
use to help lift yak over stairs at LJ Launch
holds my FF solid with a ram ball/hrail attachment and lets me adjust at many levels
can attach you pliers or any gear to it that you do not want floating/sinking away
squid lights tie off to it
hold my beer can in more solid then before
many h-rail attachments, want to attach go pro in the future...
can hold for stability
can use to help tie knots and get good tension
fits on my jrack the same as before
place to wrap a lock around
watertight

Cons
wanted rod holders and H-Rail attachment would move under pull of trolling baits and did not feel comfortable if hit with a bit strike (therefore, no rod holders for me, ended up adding scotties in the front like I always have)
Beer bottles don't fit too well anymore on the L side

[Iceman]

Nice Chuck! I just set up an Outback with the rails and an H Bar that attaches to the rails.

[ctfphoto]

Chuck, thank you. I am still on the fence on these. Did you get a sail for your outback?

[Chuck D]

Originally Posted by ctfphoto

Chuck, thank you. I am still on the fence on these. Did you get a sail for your outback?

No problem CTF. No, I don't think I will get a sail for the outback since I am lucky enough to have an island adventure. I am not sure that I would be too impressed with a sail on the outback, it would be too much clutter for me in that vessel. I am sure it would work to get you out longer range tho...

[ctfphoto]

Originally Posted by Chuck D

No problem CTF. No, I don't think I will get a sail for the outback since I am lucky enough to have an island adventure. I am not sure that I would be too impressed with a sail on the outback, it would be too much clutter for me in that vessel. I am sure it would work to get you out longer range tho...

I figured as much as you do have the island. Outback sail probably way to slow for you

After seeing you on your island looking for tuna, you really got me thinking. I have "Island Fever" now. Most likely wanting a tandem. My buddy swears he is buying one so I get to go along for the ride. I need to figure out how to talk the wife into getting one for this summer.

And I second you about buying from Andy, he is the go to guy.