duke wrote:
Maybe I should re-phrase the question. Does anyone have any opinion (even a mild one) about the Hobie Sidekick vs. the Ram rodholder lobster pot Outriggers??????
Duke
The RAM holder style has the advantage of swinging back out of the way while still attached to the boat. The sidekick detaches and has to be stowed when not in use. The RAM is also much more adjustable.
The RAM holder will not be as solid unless also attached to a cross bar for added support. Without the cross bar, all the pressure is on a single RAM ball and small piece of plastic. The cross bar spreads the pressure across both balls and should greatly reduce pressure on the single ball.
In either case, I would not reccomend well nuts. I installed my sidekick with the supplied wellnuts and they have popped out after only one month. I installed the wellnuts as well as I possible could, so I have no faith in them at all. Since I can't access that area beneath the rail, I am looking at other anchor bolts to reattach the sidekick.