G'day guys,
I joined this forum soon after I ordered my PA14 in mid-May, looking for ideas on pimping the new boat when it arrived. I'd like to thank those of you who shared their work and to show you the things I've done to mine. Many of my mods were inspired by the things I've been reading here - or copied outright, whilst some are my own innovations. I can only hope the ideas shown here spur others on to greater mods.
The theme for my modifications was to keep the fishing area free of clutter while still being utilitarian. I bought this PA to use as a platform for SW fly fishing, so keeping the deck area clear of tangle points was imperative. I don't use flies exclusively though, sometimes choosing to use soft plastics and hardbody lures on conventional tackle too. Versatility in the design was also important for this reason.
So, here they are in no particular order:
Here's a couple of overviews of the PA. I needed to keep the PA free of vertical obstacles that would impede my ability to cast my fly lines, so all five rods I took out on this trip are stored within the horizontal rod tubes built into the PA design. The most prominent features shown in the overviews are the plywood sideboards: these are mounted directly onto the original Hobie boards for added rigidity. Besides, that was much easier than removing the originals and replacing them.
Under the seat is the folding stripping basket I use while fly fishing. It can be used sitting or standing and facing front or rear. It also helps to keep my rod and line ready to cast immediately by placing it on the rear deck when in transit. I'll post a video on the use of that at some other time.
This is my sailing tackle module. I enjoyed sailing my Outfitter to and from my fishing areas, so I was keen to work out a way of sailing the PA14 while still being able to use it for fly fishing once I got there. This module plugs into the locking Scotty flush-mount on the side board. It is easily removed and replaced with a rod holder.
Here is the rear of the seat viewed from the starboard side. I've installed a Scotty mount with a rod holder here for trolling in transit. Also laid out behind the seat are the mast and sail (folded), my SUP paddle and my landing net,
On the port side, there is another holder for trolling in transit and my Shark Shield bound to the handle of the PA14. (My lead weight "anchor" is also sitting in the rear scupper, ready for deployment. For safety, I have a red Cooper anchor stowed elsewhere. The lead weight is just for fishing convenience.)
Another view of the rear deck area.
Many of my modifications have been to the seat itself. Mounting the gear I use often onto the seat saves rummaging around elsewhere, opening hatches or reaching into bags. This view shows the bag I've mounted on the rear of the seat in which I keep my EPIRB and flares. These are things I want to be able to access without opening any hatches. If things are going so wrong that I need my EPIRB or flares, opening a hatch is the last thing I want to be doing. I keep some water and food in there too, plus spare spools and/or reels for my fly rods and maybe a GoPro.
I've taken the bag off here to show the shock cord leash point across the back of the seat. I clip my net, mast and SUP paddle onto this. The shock cord means I can easily access it from the seat if I want to.
Here's the outside of the right hand side of the seat. I keep my tools here, like pliers, nippers and a knife. There are also a couple of leash points.
On the inside of this panel is my leader material that I'm using on the day. (Today, 20lb FC, but it's easy to swap it out, since it's mounted with shock cord.)
On the left hand side, I've mounted a couple of utility pouches (neoprene reel bags) for "stuff". Today it was soft plastics and a GoPro. Leash points have also been added, of course.
On the inside of the left panel I've mounted a telescoping gaff hook. It's held in place with a shock cord loop and the hook itself is shielded by a piece of webbing.
Here, I've placed the SUP in the location I normally mount it while stand-up fly fishing. It's secured into the front Scotty locking rod holder and rests on the rear holder for easy access. Also shown in the background is my Humminbird 798 Side Imaging sounder. The transducer for this sounder is mounted in the cavity beneath as shown in the next few images.
What you're seeing here is a 3mm aluminium plate cut to suit the Humminbird transducer, mounted to a piece of 3mm angle aluminium using the original mounting hardware. The blob in front of the transducer is some epoxy resin putty (locally called "Knead-It). It's there to deflect weed from the transducer and to protect it somewhat in the case of accidental grounding.
All these gains did not come without some pain:
This bruise came from reaching inside the hull to mount the rear rod holders. I should have bought a YakAttack blind mounting system …
Cheers,
Graeme