Hobie Paddle Keeper Upgrade

Without going into too many non-family friendly expletives describing how I feel about the Hobie bungee and hook paddle keepers; let's just say I hate them.
Case in point; last month diving at Nunya Reef, tired after 4 hours of diving, I slid into the water from my kayak only to snag the back leg of my Yazbeck on the 'hook' part of the paddle keeper. And yep, it put a nice big (Insert major expletive here) hole in my Yazbeck.
Fortunately I purchased a big bottle of open cell wetsuit repair so I took care of it when I got home. Did a mighty fine job too.
To make sure it doesn't happen again I removed the hook and bungee paddle keeper from the port side of the kayak, the side I get in and out of when diving.
On the other side I cut off 1/2 of the hook part. After all, I only need one side of it to hold the bungee.
So 2 weeks ago divng Nunya again, it was high tide and getting onto the kayak required a high step as the launch was a little deeper this time.
As I stepped over the kayak my wetsuit right leg caught the other bungee hook, the 1/2 that was left. Ever try to get through some surf with one leg hanging over the side of the kayak stuck at the ankle waist high? (Insert major expletive here)
Trying to paddle and get unhooked at the same time was...well.....(Insert major expletive here).
And yea, I tore the wetsuit at the ankle. (Insert major expletive here)
Fortuneately it didn't tear the outside like the last time, just the inside and not as bad as the other time. But a tear is a tear.
So I removed the hook from the other side too, left the bungee. The less stuff protruding from the rail the safer for my suit...and me.
Velcro to the rescue.
Velcro loop on the bungee and secured a strip of velcro sewn to a piece of polypro strap with a screw, nut, and washers on the inside and outside of the kayak.
This should prevent me from getting my suit snagged and is actually a lot easier to connect than the stinking hook. I HATE those (Insert major expletive here) things!
And whichever kayak mfg that steals the idea, kick down with a new kayak....
I'm due............... (Ahem, Hobie)

thanks for sharing... i too don't like them. mind if i copy?

//ed

thanks for sharing... i too don't like them. mind if i copy?

//ed

sure, and the kick down is??????????? 

I ripped a wetsuit under the exact same hobie circumstances!!  pissed

Aren't the new hobie ones just a bungee button?

Aren't the new hobie ones just a bungee button?

Dunno anything after the '08 design.   
For the price of a new one I'll make what I have work.

My 2012 Outback had a bungee and button, so I don't think Hobie will throw down a yak Tote, but they might be willing to send you a six pack of your favorite IPA.  If only you had one.  [emoji13]

Awesome idea!  Gotta love velco.  Next to duct tape and women, it's one of god's greatest creations

My 2012 Outback had a bungee and button, so I don't think Hobie will throw down a yak Tote, but they might be willing to send you a six pack of your favorite IPA.  If only you had one.  [emoji13]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.