Umm, am I missing something? (Sidekick AMA install)

I'm about to mount the Sidekicks on my 07 Outback. When I put the bar across the tank well, per instructions (along with catalog pictures), there is a noticeable gap that needs to be filled between the bottom mount & hull. (The outer portion of the tackle tray side is higher than the inner side.) I figure I can buy longer screws & use washers or plastic to raise the mount, but thought I would see if I'm missing something first.
Also wasn't sure if raising the mount will increase the stress on the well nuts.

_________________
Mark
07 Ivory Dune Adventure
http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com
http://www.aldenofsunapee.com/

Remembering that the Sidekick fits a wide range of applications and locations, you may have to adapt to specific situations. Sounds like a shim of some sort will solve your problem and perhaps some longer hardware (?).

The bottom line is to achieve a solid, stable mount. It sounds like you know what to do.

I used washers between the well nuts and hull to raise the mounts temporarily. It took less shimming than I expected.
It would be nice if the supplied screws were 1/4" - 1/2" longer for some added flexibility when adjustments are needed. The supplied screws barely catch the threads.

On the brighter side, I'm impressed with how solid the mount feels. I had serious doubts about mounting with well nuts. Hopefully, they'll stand up to actual use.

_________________
Mark
07 Ivory Dune Adventure
http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com
http://www.aldenofsunapee.com/

I had a similar issue with sidekick mounts. I needed longer screws in order to use my shim to raise the mounts so that I could then get my finger under the bar to release the lock button when the floats were in the lowest "down" position.
I looked all over town to try and find some longer stainless steel 10-32 x 2" phillips pan head machine screws but did not have any luck. I also found out that the well nuts deform so much when tightenend for the first time that you cannot back the mount screw all the way out and then expect to reuse the same well nuts because they will be all torn up.
Therfore I had to run around to try and find new well nuts or screws or both so I could remount the bar up on my shims and hopefully have enough space to get my finger between the hull and bar mount to access the lock button when changing the position of the floats
I finally found new 10-32 well nuts at Home Depot, of all places, that were shorter in length than the ones that came in the Hobie kit so that now the stock kit mount screws (10-32 x 1-3/4") would reach the end of these shorter well nuts and engage the threads to anchor the mounts soldily to the hull. So far its working ok.
kepnutz