The Slider

Thanks for being receptive guys!

One point of clarification...the Slider is the one with the side panels that holds a tackle box.  It is the sides that are polyethylene.  The base and the rails of the Slider and the entire Mini-Slider are PVC that I have custom extruded to my specifications.  The poly was too flexible for these parts.  But, the PVC parts are unbelievable strong as well.  I bolted one end of a set of rails to a ceiling truss and hung from it with no problem, and I'm 200lbs easy.  I tried to take a photo of this but it doesn't do the test justice.  The sides being made of relatively flexible poly acts as the 'give' point if you actually put enough stress on a Slider to deform it.

AlsHobieOutback - I provide 1 inch backing washers to bolt the rails to the deck.  It takes quite a bit to pull a 1 inch washer out of a poly deck.  I have had users bolt Sliders to thinner hatch covers, and for this I do recommend using a larger backing plate.  I've never hooked a halibut or anything large enough to pull a Slider off the deck, but I have had my rod in the Slider mounted RAM rod holder fishing straight down with 80lb spider wire under a bridge in Johns Pass, FL.  I didn't realize I was hung up on the bottom until a large boat went under the bridge and kicked up a large swell.  The boat, essentially being tied to the bottom amidships, flipped and threw me out when the swell rose, and pulled my OK Prowler about halfway under water.  I had to wait for the swells to subside before I could right my boat and get back in.  It was NOT a fun experience.  The RAM Rod Holder slipped on both ends, and I'm amazed my rod didn't break, but the Slider never budged.  Actually, my concern with my expensive rigs is the bail on the RAM rod holder that secures the rod in the holder if you do go over.  The Slide-Trax dashboard and tool board concern me because they do go across your legs if you want them anywhere as close as the Slider will get, and you can't move them with one hand; the same goes for the Malibu X-Wing (though it is much cooler looking!).  The leg trap issue also affects the Rhino-Bar, Johnny-Bar and Tarpon Dashboard.  As far as Karen ordering one for you, that shouldn't be a problem.  If you are anywhere close to Capistrano beach, I'll send her one just so you can check it out.

MickFish - I haven't had anyone put a Slider on an X-Factor yet, but I'm pretty confident it will fit just fine.  Since I offered, I would like to give Duane a chance to chime in before I offer one up to someone else.  I'll keep your name in the hat though.  Thanks!

The Slide-Trax dashboard and tool board concern me because they do go across your legs if you want them anywhere as close as the Slider will get, and you can't move them with one hand; the same goes for the Malibu X-Wing (though it is much cooler looking!).  The leg trap issue also affects the Rhino-Bar, Johnny-Bar and Tarpon Dashboard.  As far as Karen ordering one for you, that shouldn't be a problem.  If you are anywhere close to Capistrano beach, I'll send her one just so you can check it out.

This would be my primary concern with all contraptions that cross over the legs, even the ones that can slide forward with one hand (not everybody has the cat like reflexes or sense to push them forward once they get hit in the face with 50* water).  Loose paddle pants, drawstrings, shoe laces, could also be a nice tangle hazard if one flipped.  

PM InsaneDuane if you haven't got ahold of him yet.  If not please send one to mike, I'm skeptical at best but would like to hear their reviews.

I did PM Duane, but haven't heard back yet.

I share your concerns about entanglement from laces and such.  I wear velcro sneakers or booties for exactly this reason.  I had never imagined anyone trying to move the Slider during a rollover...you are right that they usually happens way to fast to react to.  Having started out kayak fishing using sit-in kayaks, some with very small cockpit openings, I know that having something over your legs is not really that much of a hazard.  My concerns with the rhino-bar (which I used for years) and such have more to do with getting in the boat, not out.  These devices usually sit so low that you have to turn your feet sideways to get them under the bar, and they really restrict movement.  With the Slider, the RAM rod holders would be the only thing you could potentially hit your knees on, but in reality, unless you've got it pulled right up in to your lap, this is not going to happen.  And I've never seen anyone mount one this close to begin with...it just doesn't fit that way.

In any case, like you, I would really like to get the opinions of one of your own.  If anyone knows how to reach Duane, give him a call and see if he is interested.

If Duane doen't want it I'll give it a road test will it fit an X-Factor. I'm an Old fart too 

Well, us OF's gotta stick together.   I wanted to give Duane a shot since I offered one to him first, but he never replied to my PMs or email...so you're up.  The Slider will fit fine on an X-Factor, as long as you don't have one of the Child Seat hatch covers on the forward hatch.

Shoot me a PM with your shipping address and we'll hook you up!

Merry Christmas All!

No, it won't fit on a Hobie, and it can make the front hatch a bitch to get to if you routinely climb forward to your front hatch while on the water.  Funny thing is, I've heard lots of folks talk about accessibility of their front hatch, but in 20 years of kayak fishing I've never once seen anyone actually climb forward and open a forward hatch while on the water.  I guess the Central Cal and Florida folks are just not gymnastically inclined.  In any case, if you do access your forward hatch while on the water, then no, the Slider is not for you.

I have a P13 and with out having a rod pod I climb forward and stash my rods when I am coming in a rough surf landing.

See...I knew you NorCal guys were crazy  .

Guess I've been away from heavy surf too long.  Florida just doesn't offer anything that can compare.  When I did fish off Stinson, it was usually with one or more friends, and we would help each other stash our rods...or just lash them down and hold on.  Guess my age is showing...but you are right...coming in on anything even close to what you show in the picture, climbing forward to stow your goodies is well worth the risk...which probably explains why the folks at OK came up with the rod pod in the first place.

BTW, Nice photo!!!  Cowabunga, Dude!

Funny thing is, I've heard lots of folks talk about accessibility of their front hatch, but in 20 years of kayak fishing I've never once seen anyone actually climb forward and open a forward hatch while on the water. 

I'm trying to think of a time I didn't access the fron hatch while OTW.
That was my main reason for choosing the Revo over the Adventure. The front hatch on the Revo is closer.