Useful accessories for new owner

Hi! I have been waiting/thinking about getting one of these boards for a few years & looks like it might finally happen this weekend, or in the next few weeks.
I am getting the 12-ft version, along with storage bag & cart. Also getting roof racks installed on my Toyota Corolla. A few questions:
Are there any other accessories/parts you would recommend? I was thinking of possibly the nose rail guard kit and/or the rail protection kit. Would getting both be redundant or recommended?
I am also curious about carrying/transporting it. Should I get a side carry handle kit? Does anyone have a picture of what that looks like? I’m a woman, 5’3, and I think I can handle carrying/lifting it in my own when it’s not on the cart, but just want to make sure.
Any other recommendations for accessories to get? Or tips for first use?
Thanks so much!!

The shiny ACX or the Dura?

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The shiny ACX...the dealer has the nose rail guard kit in stock so I tentatively added that to my order, but how does this (https://www.scheels.com/p/hobie-rail-pr ... 8QEALw_wcB) compare?

Redundant and less effective than the Nose Rail Guard Kit (Newer kit).

The side handle kit is for the Dura Model that has a place to attach them that is not on the ACX.

The bottle holder is nice: 72020504 WATER BOTTLE HOLDER KIT ECLIPSE



This attaches to the handlebar.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thank you! @$50 I think I'm going to pass on the water bottle holder for now but may get it down the road.

Another noobie question - does it go on the roof to transport with or without the bag/cover on it?

jthomas822, I have two 12' eclipses and I transport them in their protective bags. I have Rhino Racks on my wife's car and the loader bar that temporarily extends the front bar almost 3' out on the driver's side is a necessity for loading if you're not very strong and are loading by yourself. You lay the board next to the driver's side of your car, prop the front of the board on the rack extender, and then lift the back of the board onto the back rack, taking care to "walk" the front of the board in place on the front rack - centered on your car. The bags help keep the boards from getting scratched up (which they do easily). I also installed the nose and rail guards after scratching one of them while launching.

I love my Eclipse but the bottle cage and its mount are a waste of money. For half the price you can buy a "mounts anywhere" bottle holder from Amazon that straps to the handlebar post without bicycle nubs, and holds any bottle, including larger ones (I have a 50oz Camelbak) instead of just ones designed for bicycle bottle cages.

Some good accessories for a new owner:

- The rail guard kit. Don't even think about not getting this. IDK why it isn't standard.
- A bow line and carabiner so you can leave it tied to a dock if you need to make multiple trips to the car when putting in / out.
- A tether for the drive. If you go through weeds you need to lift the drive out to detangle it. Would be a shame to drop it without a tether.
- A bag for all the parts, your PFD, etc ... you don't need the expensive Mirage bag. Just get any $5 nylon or mesh bag with a drain hole at the bottom like what divers use.
- A Gopro mount for the handlebars
- A couple of cheap saw horses from Harbor Freight. IF you don't have already. This will save your back (and the bottom of the board) when cleaning, repairing, installing lines and accessories, touch-up-painting.
- Hobie Touch up paint specifically for your board. You'll need it. May as well get some while you're at the dealer buying the thing. Keep it tightly sealed and indoors and it'll last a few years.
- Depending on your car, you might need some kind of gadget to help put it on the roof. It's too big and heavy to just lift overhead like a canoe or kayak. On my van I just rest it on the rear edge of the roof with a towel to protect the roof and slide it up onto the rails. But you can't do that on sedans or if you have a satellite antenna or anything else in the way at the back.