Need recommendation for basic accessories and modification !

Hi guys, I bought a revo 13 last week and now I'm trying to buy and attach some accessories and of course... I need some advice from you guys haha

1. Genuine Hobie leash is about $20 each but cheap ebay one is about $5. Has anyone noticed quality difference between those two?

2. What's the cheapest fish sounder/ chart plotter with best reliability? I was thinking about lowrance 4 HDI but it's bit pricey any other alternatives? Also is it worth to buy fishfinder installation kit ?

3. What's the best rod holder from hobie? (tube vs secured one?)

4. Best way to attach equipment to kayak? Is it a good idea to attach H rail to revo 13?

5. Is there any other accessories which is very useful or necessary?

Thanks!

If you take a tumble in the surf the quick release clip on the hobie leash i snot reliable. A bungie looped on it self is better if you dont need quick release.

sounders, depends on what you want, anything with plotting is going to be more expensive. If you get one without, you can use navionics ap on your phone. Though not as convenient.

Holders depends on your preference. Tubes keep buts out of way of pedals, pistol grip type ones can be used on offset extenders, but that puts price up. Best mounts are the recessed ones placed just in front of mesh pockets. Pistols holders do provide extra security if you tip kayak, proving you have rods locked in.

H rail could hinder re entries. Flush holder mounts as per above, short yak attack gear tracks can be used for other accessories on the gunwales

Anchor trolley is pretty useful. Inline V cleat to stop trolley slipping.

Extensions for rear recessed rod holders to keep reels dry. Either hobie ones or homemade pvc

In general, what accessories will be useful depends on the kind of fishing you hope to do. If you tell us what kind of fishing you hope to do, people on the forum can make more specific suggestions.

A fish finder is a valuable fishing tool. If you buy an inexpensive fish finder, in a couple of months you will probably wish you had spent a bit more money for a better fish finder. Which fish finder features will be helpful depends on what kind of fishing you will be doing. For trolling and jigging in deep water, sonar, GPS, and mapping features are very helpful. If you are fishing in shallow water right next to shore, you may not find GPS or mapping useful, and down imaging may be useful. I do mostly deep water trolling, don't find down imaging at all helpful, and almost never use it. The transducer for side imaging fish finders needs to be mounted below or behind the keel of your kayak, which on most kayaks means a boom mount beside your kayak, or a protective cover which sticks out below the bottom of your kayak.

H Bars will interfere with carrying your Revolution upside down on a roof rack, and in many locations they will interfere with climbing back onto your Revolution if you get dumped out. Gear tracks are a better solution, but it can be tricky to mount gear tracks on the gunwales of a Revolution because the area inside the gunwale is narrow and arched. I have Yak Attack 1.75 (wide) gear tracks mounted on the gunwales of my Revolution in front of the pockets. The wide gear tracks are disgustingly expensive, but they can be quickly and easily mounted on the gunwales from the outside with screws, and they provide a strong, stable, and flexible base for rod holders and other equipment. Gear tracks allow you to change the way that you have your kayak set up during the day, from day to day as you do different kinds of fishing, and over time as you learn better ways to set up your kayak and try different kinds of fishing. Bases from a variety of different manufacturers can be mounted on a gear track, so you won't be limited to one manufacturer. For more on this, see viewtopic.php?f=26&t=59182&p=281820&hilit=gear+track#p281820 .

An anchor trolley is necessary if you need to be able to anchor your kayak, but unnecessary if you don't intend to anchor your kayak.

1. The quick release feature on our rod leashes is functional for casting and fighting fish.

2. I would start your fish finder search by narrowing down the features you want to see in your unit. For example, if GPS capability is an important feature for you I would start by looking at the Hook 4 - part no. 72020202 (a lower cost unit with gps, plus CHIRP and downscan).

3. I would recommend the rod holder extender for the molded-in rod holders - part no. 72020014. The adjustable rod holder - part no. 72020074 is a nice application for use when trolling and achieving the exact position you desire. As always, the HD strap kit - part no. 72020099 can be used in conjunction with either rod holder for extra security.

4. You can always attach one of the bolt-on H-Rail kits to your revo. This requires thru-bolting, and could require cutting of the h-rail depending on desired mounting location on a revo 13. Hardware is provided with the kits. 9" H-rail part no. 84626001, 21" H-rail part no. 84626101.

5. I definitely recommend the large twist and stow rudder blade for added maneuverability - part no. 81397001.

Additionally, upgrading your Mirage drive with turbo fins is a must...For 2017 kayaks that come with standard MD 180 fins, turbo fin upgrade won't be available until mid-2017.

Lastly, always carry proper safety equpment ... bilge pump, pfd, safety light, vhf radio. Hobie's deluxe safety package - part no. 72020029 is a good start. Also, we have a selection of pfd's to fit every application.

Check out the parts and accessories search tool on hobiefishing.com: http://www.hobiefishing.com/parts-and-accessories/

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

What do you mean by recessed mount? Are you talking about a mount like railblaza recessed in the the hull? Also in front of the mesh pocket means drink holder or the other side? Thanks!

I think correct term is flush mount
http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/rod-holders/flush-mounts.htm
other side, just have to be carefull installling to avoid rudder lines inside.

Flush mounts also make it easier to car top inverted

Scotty mounts by the way will also fit berkley rod holders but not vis versa

There are also compatibility issues between Scotty bases and rod holders and Stealth bases and rod holders - see http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/in ... #msg189811 . An advantage of installing gear tracks on your gunwales is that you can switch from one manufacturer to another, and can change the location of your gear. If you install a fixed base on your kayak, you may decide in six months that you wish you had installed the base in a different location, or that you had installed a different brand of base. Not a problem with gear tracks.

Take your kayak out at least three times before you install anything.

_________________
Duncan

Even then a bit at a time, and dont over complicate it.

if you find you sit straddle on your yak dont mount sounder etc to your side.

I was planning to use long geartraks, but after considering expense not only of tracks but the adaptors to attach scotty mounts, along with the bulkiness of these adaptors chose not to as holders were unlikely to ever be slid forward. Short narrow sections can be used for sounder on swivel arm. Though with revo 16 rather than 13 sounder can be mounted forward off center with swivel extension. If mounted to side in front of rod holder consider if it will clash with rod/reel if you face it directly forward for example when travelling.

Google images is your friend

hobie thru hull wiring kits are the best way of running wires through hull

Consider swapping out some of the screw in padeyes and bungie socket ends with hobies XL padeye combos, they provide for extra leashing points