First drill hole jitters, Your opinions please...

OK, so the time has come to drill the first holes into the Mini-X. I want to install a RAM ball mount. There is a multitude of accessories that I can mount to it and the general area where I need it to be will be around my knees. This will be convenient for a rod holder, a fish finder, even a dashboard type console for multiple items. Now, here is where I need your help. I have narrowed the choices between either mounting it inside the cup holder, or mounting it to the center hatch cover.

The immediate pros/cons are:

For the cup holder, low profile and out of the way when not in use and will not snag on clothes if I need to self rescue or enter/exit boat. The down side is I loose the cup holder though all I use if for now is additional tray for misc. tackle. If I have a beverage it is always in a re-closable plastic bottle.

For the Hatch cover, easy to undo if I ultimately don't like the RAM, just buy new cover and no additional holes in hull.
The down side is unable to open hatch and use RAM at the same time, may cause interference when getting in/out of the kayak and self rescue.

I am leaning towards the cup holder but am curious what others have done.

Thanks.

I took a look at the mni-x pictures. 
1. if in the cup holder, make sure you can still operate the ram mount tightener?

2.  hatch might not be as firm a mount as hull, plus like you say you want to be able to open the hatch without diassembling everyhting

3.  what about that flat area just in front of the cup holder?  Looks like a goode spot

Good luck, use plenty of Marine Goop and stainless hardware.

Allen

My ram ball is 11" in front of the cup holder, any closer and it would get in the way. I played around with it a lot.

Aquaseal is the best sealant I have found yet. It stays pliable after being dry quite some time. You will do fine! Just make sure thats where you want to mount things when you do. Careful planning and tips from others work great. Always consider your paddle stroke. Good Luck and get drilling.

You can buy round industrial Velcro comes 4 pieces to a pack at your local hardware,fabric shop. Clean the spot with rubbing alcohol stick a piece where you are thinking (maybe 2) and the other side to the ram ball. You can take it out for a paddle and see if it gets in the way it will hold your rod just don't hook anything.
In a PB I love the ram but I'm going to change to fish on/Scotty the positive locks just work so much better than the balls in a yak.

Dont forget to sand your balls. Mike does and he loves it.

Mike I am so sorry to hear your balls don't work as well as Scotty's.

Allen

Is that Craigs or your Scotty?? ?