Added 9" H-Rails to my 2016 PA14

Was looking at additional mounting options for the rear of my PA14, and came across the 9" and 21" H-Rail kits from Hobie. I liked the idea of the 21" but after dry fitting on a floor model PA, it just seemed like to much. I bought and mounted the 9" rails on Friday night, and they work great. Currently using for a YakAttack Rotogrip Paddle holder on an H-Rail Mighty Mount, and for my Pan Fish Camera Pole. Will also be a great place to mount a visipole or such.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Looks nice! Maybe next PA version will be surrounded by h rail.
Additional place for accessories. keep us updated .. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like a very clean install. Looks to be a long reach from the Vantage seat should you wish to disconnect something while on the water. Probably not a problem for me though considering I'm 6'6" .

Curious on how you fastened them to the hull. Did you just use a nut and washer?

Jeff
KansasYaker

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Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

Interesting setup. That is a nice way to secure the paddle. I thought about mounting one of those on the raised deck behind the seat. That way I could make a detachable flat tray using the H-Rail mounting pads. Using the Livewell XL reduces my rear storage capacity. I figured if I made a flat storage shelf, it could hold a small soft cooler or anchor out of the way behind the seat. Thanks for sharing!

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Jeff - I thought about using well nuts, but since I could reach this pretty easily from the back hatch, i decided washers and bolts would be stronger. I don't plan on doing any trolling from the back, but it seems plenty strong.

As far as being able to reach it from the seat... at 6'1", I can just barely reach my GoPro Session mounted on a YakAttack PanFish on this rear rail - and yeah, I look like an idiot doing it. I can control my session from my Apple watch, so that is not really an issue. I kind of think about this back rail as a set it and forget it space depending on what I am doing on a particular outing.

Steve - that is a good idea. I just bought an Orion cooler for the back, it should delivered on Wed. It is going to replace my BlackPak for some outings, so I am looking for some extra storage options in that smaller space behind the seat and the main tank well. Another 9" H-Rail behind the seat, with a Hobie Tackle Bin would be a nice addition! I did purchase some bungee and hooks to lock my plano boxes down under the seat - in stead of using the Hobie seat strap. Figure I will keep my anchor in the front hatch when not in use, and behind the seat when in use, wet, and muddy.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

That's a great idea there and c=very clean install!! I know there's not a lot of room under the gunnels but did you use any type of mounting plate or thick washers for extra support? With the 9" rails in the back, it could be an access point for re-entry should you turtle or roll it over and need to re-enter kayak.

Nathan

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Hobie Fishing Team
Great Outdoor Provision Company Fishing Team
Polar Bear Coolers
Accent Paddles
Columbia Sportswear
Astral PFD

Thanks, I think it came out looking great. I am hoping not to test it, but your right, those would be nice points to grab for a re-entry. As far as mounting, I have an assortment of stainless steel washers...I should have kept track of what size I used...basically the largest one I could fit between the gunnel. I didn't plan on really stressing the rail, but now you all have me second guessing. I could always add a better backing plate to each side.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Steve, I liked your thoughts so much on mounting something on the gunnel behind the seat that I just bought another 9" rail and a Hobie Tackle Bin...plus a bunch of other crap I could not live without. Going to have to find someone with ridiculously long arms to help me bolt this one in place behind the seat.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Looking forward to see what you come up with. I will add one behind my seat in the near future. Headed to the Jacksonville area this weekend to salt fish. Winds have been way to strong here lately.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

We had a pretty great weekend for a change...winds were way down....temps were way up. I had about 18 hours in boat, fishing was slow, though I did catch a 4 pounder (well four pounds if I pulled a little on its tale while Hanging on the scale, but who is counting). Good luck in Jacksonville. One of these days I will get to a coast and see what all the fuss is about.

Weekdays are for working, week nights for prepping my new toy - playing sounds childish, I prep and mod and weekends are on the water, rain or shine.

Will let you know how it turns out.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Finished adding one more 9" H-Rail behind the seat. This was dead space that I think will now come in handy. I will say that adding the rail to the side gunnels was much easier, and there was a lot less cursing, and fewer loose washers rolling around the inside of my kayak when I was done. Reaching this spot thru the 9" hatch was a bit tough for me and my short arms, but after taping the bolt and washer to the bottom of a wrench, and using that as an extension, I was able to get it installed...and of course a LOT of foul language.

But I think it turned out pretty great, and will be handy for a lot of things...



Here it is with the tackle bin attached...



This might have been a perfect place for the 21" rail, but I was afraid it might get in the way of longer rods I tend to drop to the sides of the seat. Plus, if I am sitting on the cooler, I have a place for my feet on either side of the rail.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

That looks exactly like I envisioned it. Nice work! I can understand the aggravation of reaching areas under the decking to mount things...lol! I have that same Hobie tackle bin. Have not used it yet. I just might have to go ahead and get that railing piece and do mine that way.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

The tackle bin is actually resting on the deck of the kayak while attached to the H-Rail. I had actually envisioned it up higher, with room under it to store my wet anchor or my Stanley Coffee Thermos. But, it looks pretty nice, and should hold a couple of large Plano boxes well, especially when i have that giant Orion Cooler in the back, and not my BlackPak.

Next I am going to see if I can modify a couple of these rails to fit on the GearTrack of the Orion Cooler. I might be going crazy, but i kind of like the idea of all my attachment point being exactly the same, and everything being modular. Hope that Hobie appreciates the amount of freaking money I am spending on their accessories! I am going to need to take a second job to support this Hobie Monkey on my back.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937