I'm planning to install a rod holder for salmon trolling and a fish finder mount on my 2009 Hobie Adventure 16 (now sold as the Revo 16). I'm leaning towards the Railblaza Rod Holder II and a RAM mount (RAM-101-LO11) for the FF.

I think I'd like to end up with a setup similar to what pmmpete shows here, including trying to add a downrigger at some point:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12575.msg138905#msg138905 . I may end up wanting to switch which side the rod is on though, to make it easier to crank a lefty reel while it is in the holder.

Here are my questions:
1) Should I just install the Railblaza Starport HD and RAM ball directly, or is a track system a wise idea for future versatility? The tracks would add a lot of cost and another potential point of flex/failure.
2) It looks like pmmpete used sections of GT175 track on his front gunwales, but I'm worried that the Adventure 16 has skinnier gunwales than pmmpete's revo. Anyone have experience with this?

Nice shots.

I ended up buying the Hook 5 with GPS and Nautic Pro (model 000-12656-003) from Jet.com. After a coupon it was a little over $250, plus tax. It looks sold out now but Walmart and other places have it for less than $300.

Yes, it looks like the hook 4 with chirp transducer and GPS is $200: https://www.westmarine.com/fishfinder-gps-combos?adpos=1t1&cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-Brand-_-west+marine&creative=178652387171&device=m&gclid=CMD-9szemNICFZFafgoddQoHIw&matchtype=e&network=g&sitelinks=ShopMarineElectronics

I had one of the opinel carbon steel outdoor folding knives. I don't like the locking mechanism: you have to remember to engage it and if you don't you risk slicing your knuckles. Because it is carbon steel the blade sharpens nicely but is prone to rust. The blade was also somewhat fragile and I ended up breaking the tip, probably because I was abusing it. Overall I think they work fine as a knife to carry in your picnic basket but not as a general purpose pocketknife.

That looks nice. Might be time for me to build something like it.

Just got a PM from sandlance. The radio has been found! 

A wave must have ripped my Standard Horizon HX870 off my PFD while I was punching through the surf at Linda Mar yesterday. I didn't realize it was gone until I was out past the breakers. The MMSI number is 338186315.

Obviously I need to figure out a way to mount a radio that is truly secure, lets me clearly see the screen, and keeps it out of the way.

Since it looks like I'm in the market for a new radio, any recommendations for models that have DSC and GPS? I was happy with the HX870, but since I'm likely to hard-tie it to my PFD in the future, a non-floating model might be a plus, to cut down on bulk.