Hobie Sidekick AMA kit

Hi to all NCKA members. Newbie here with a hobie sidekick ama question for all the pro's out there. I recently got into the kayak fishing scene but I've been fishing all my life. Recently I purchased an older style Hobie Outback(2006) due to me "ballin on a budget". I've gone ahead and did the seat conversion that people are talking about and it is so much better on the back while fishing. Thing is, I haven't taken it out into more serious waters until this past Sunday(11/18/18). I felt that the "reel tight"(my kayak) is a bit "tippy". I've only taken it out once with the original seat just to see if the thing floats and right after that I did the conversion. Does anyone out there know if the seat conversion will alter the Hobie outback stability? Did anyone do the seat conversion and have a different outcome of mine? or should I go with the Hobie Sidekick AMA kit and call it good? Does anyone out there have a sidekick installed on their kayak and can give me some pointers/ intake on them? I cant find anything much about them online. Thank you all in advance for your time and advice. Good luck, be safe out there and tight lines.

I have installed Sidekick AMA on my Hobie Oasis and Revolution 13.
It made my kayaks much more stable however it makes paddling more difficult due to the sidekick restricting your rear paddling motion.
Installation is super easy and took me only 30 minutes requiring only 4 screws to secure it.
After the installation, my wife is much more comfortable riding the kayak.

Awesome! Thank you so much for the response. I’m not too worry about the paddling part since I’m only paddling to get out of tight areas but do you fish out of your kayak? If you do, How is it while fishing?

I have Sidekick Ama for my Outback too. When it's rough out I'll definitely use it!  Normally I will bring it and store inside the front hatch just in case the conditions changed. It's a lot more stable when installed and you will be able to concentrate more on fishing rather than swells and chops. It does look like training wheels to some but who cares I rather be safe than sorry.

Chris

I have Sidekick Ama for my Outback too. When it's rough out I'll definitely use it!  Normally I will bring it and store inside the front hatch just in case the conditions changed. It's a lot more stable when installed and you will be able to concentrate more on fishing rather than swells and chops. It does look like training wheels to some but who cares I rather be safe than sorry.

Chris

Thanks for the info Chris!! I really appreciate it!! How is it while fishing? Does it get in the way? Thank you

No I don't think it gets in the way at all or maybe its because I'm used to it.

Chris

No I don't think it gets in the way at all or maybe its because I'm used to it.

Chris

Thank you Chris I appreciate the info!  I will get them just in case. Better safe then sorry!

I have them on my 09 Revo and wouldn't be without them.  They provide great stability when fishing in rough waters.  They are also a great help when crabbing from the yak.

https://www.wavearmor.com/product/kayak-canoe-stabilizer-kit/

Awesome! Thank you so much for the response. I’m not too worry about the paddling part since I’m only paddling to get out of tight areas but do you fish out of your kayak? If you do, How is it while fishing?

On my Oasis and Revolution, it is fine to fish (rock fishing) with the sidekick, since it is located behind me.  I always place the fish front of me to fight with.  Only time it might possibly interfering is when I am trolling or using a downrigger. 

 
  Is the seat bottom raised off the hull?  If so then your center of gravity has shifted. This will make it a little more tippy.  The 06' model OB hull had issues with the hull cracking at the mounts for the drive. (Dreaded Drive well crack) My 04 and 06' both ended up with cracked hulls (Both replaced, the 04' with the 06' then the 06' with my current 08') 
  After my 04' (My first OB) developed the dreaded drive well crack I made sure I reinforced the same area on my 06' I used a bunch of hot glue to build up the area that was prone to the crack,  layering pads of the hot glue under the weak area until I had the area full with a hot glue stack ( Hope/plan was to support the weak area under the drive well) all the way up to the bottom of the drive well.
   Didn't matter.  The thin plastic in the drive well ended up cracking anyhow.  Got that hull replaced with my current 08' hull.  Its design is such that the drive well cracking cannot happen in the same places now!
   So, please be aware of this issue on your hull if you suddenly start taking on a lot of water.  There are probably posts about this within the site.

  Is the seat bottom raised off the hull?  If so then your center of gravity has shifted. This will make it a little more tippy.  The 06' model OB hull had issues with the hull cracking at the mounts for the drive. (Dreaded Drive well crack) My 04 and 06' both ended up with cracked hulls (Both replaced, the 04' with the 06' then the 06' with my current 08') 
  After my 04' (My first OB) developed the dreaded drive well crack I made sure I reinforced the same area on my 06' I used a bunch of hot glue to build up the area that was prone to the crack,  layering pads of the hot glue under the weak area until I had the area full with a hot glue stack ( Hope/plan was to support the weak area under the drive well) all the way up to the bottom of the drive well.
   Didn't matter.  The thin plastic in the drive well ended up cracking anyhow.  Got that hull replaced with my current 08' hull.  Its design is such that the drive well cracking cannot happen in the same places now!
   So, please be aware of this issue on your hull if you suddenly start taking on a lot of water.  There are probably posts about this within the site.

  Is the seat bottom raised off the hull?  If so then your center of gravity has shifted. This will make it a little more tippy.  The 06' model OB hull had issues with the hull cracking at the mounts for the drive. (Dreaded Drive well crack) My 04 and 06' both ended up with cracked hulls (Both replaced, the 04' with the 06' then the 06' with my current 08') 
  After my 04' (My first OB) developed the dreaded drive well crack I made sure I reinforced the same area on my 06' I used a bunch of hot glue to build up the area that was prone to the crack,  layering pads of the hot glue under the weak area until I had the area full with a hot glue stack ( Hope/plan was to support the weak area under the drive well) all the way up to the bottom of the drive well.
   Didn't matter.  The thin plastic in the drive well ended up cracking anyhow.  Got that hull replaced with my current 08' hull.  Its design is such that the drive well cracking cannot happen in the same places now!
   So, please be aware of this issue on your hull if you suddenly start taking on a lot of water.  There are probably posts about this within the site.

Thank you cgn-38 for the heads up on the drive well cracking. That was one of my biggest concerns when purchasing this outback. This one was bone dry on the test run so I have my fingures crossed real hard. As for my seat mod, yes it’s raised on the molded area where the original seat is but it’s not too high. It’s just high enough to clear the the back side of the seat. I’ve been so discombobulated about it. I might just do some comparison run with the original seat vs the mod seat and see what the outcome is. I do have some sidekick ama coming for the yak but being an automotive technician, I want to solve the problem before making more mods to it.