Passport 12 rigging

Anyone have a Passport 12? Looking to mount either track mount to Scotty mounts to the area beside/behind the seat, to hold rocket launcher style rod holders.

I can access the underside of the recessed channels, so I am thinking some T track would be a good choice there.

Also considering just mounting Scotty deck mounts to the flat spots just aft of the recesses, but I can really get to the underside for reinforcement. I could try well nuts, but since this will be rod holders for trolling, I kinda want some good reinforcement under.

I've placed the Scotty mounts in the two spots I am considering. Anyone else mounted stuff there?

Not sure if the pic loaded

Been thinking the same for me new passport too. I think the easiest way is to drill out and install a rear hatch. It helps with rewriring the rudder and anything you want to wire to the rear. I think that’s what I’m going to do. If there is enough space for a custom rear rectangular hatch I’m going to go with that.

Yeah, I've been considering a rear hatch too.  I have a small round hatch just sitting in my garage... Not sure I wanna cut that big of a hole on this kayak yet - haven't even had it on the water yet, haha. Definitely wanna gear it up and see how much free board I have there before adding a hatch.

The flush rod holders are just screwed in with no goop - I will probably get one my kids to reach in the hold a wrench through there.

Are those recesses next to the seat intended for tracks, or does some other accessory fit those? I think I'm gonna 3d print some t track for those, to hold stuff like a paddle holder and eye bolts to hook a stringer and other tools to. 

Are you gonna mount a downrigger on yours?  If so, what are you attaching to?

I'd try to master it "as is"...my opinion...

Been piloting a Passport for a few years, and the hull is still a virgin. Giving it a chance as is to start might be a good idea.

When I plan to be catching a bunch of wriggling live baits, a rocket launcher rod holder in one of the factory side rails has sufficed. The hull has a bit of flex to it that has dissuaded me from using the side rails for much in the way of trolling. It’s mainly a convenience for when I’m dealing with a fish on deck. And I’ve actually gotten away from attaching that extra rod holder most of the time. Two rods in the stock holders is usually plenty.

Be mindful that the rear tank well has grooves closer to the seat and a round spot that would take an extra hatch farther back; it will be a pretty good reach to access it.

The rudder is definitely a weak point on Passports since it has to be manually deployed. Careful with it on beach launches and landings. It can be deployed on the water with a paddle or gaff, but retracting on the water isn’t possible by yourself unless you go in the water I guess.

Hey Gopher, you confirmed a few things I had been assuming about this hull.

I'm pretty much just gonna use this kayak for fresh and brackish water, and probably 95% trolling.  My goal is to get the rod tips where I can see them without needing to look around, and I'm not super wild about mourning Scotty gear heads to the plastic tracks to achieve this, especially when targeting halibut and stripers.

I have no expectation of accessing the rear hatch while underway - was considering sticking one there solely to make installation of backing plates for Scotty mounts more accessible. Gonna mount them roughly where the black one is in the picture.

I think I'm just gonna use fender washers and access from the factory rod holders - I can get a wrench far enough in there to make that work I think.

Any idea what the circled recess is for? Probably gonna mount some generic track in there for light duty attachments, but if there is a specific track that fits perfectly, or some other mount type, I'd be interested.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

I'd try to master it "as is"...my opinion...

I've never been a "leave well enough alone" kinda guy, haha.

It's storage for lures and gear with the water runoff like most hobie.

Yeah those side groove areas hold a rig or a squid ready to go.

Yeah those side groove areas hold a rig or a squid ready to go.

It's storage for lures and gear with the water runoff like most hobie.

Got it, that makes sense. I think I'm gonna put a short stretch of track there to attach tools, and keep the front half of the groove clear (or maybe magnet strip?) for loose tackle storage.

Got the Scotty mounts in place and bolted down. I used 1/4" machine screws, 1.25" fender washers, and lock nuts to hold it in place. It's VERY sturdy. I'm very happy with the placement too - should work very well for trolling. I just pulled the rod holders, and used the old "tape the nut to the wrench" trick.  Wasn't too bad, but any further from the hole would have made it much more difficult.

Just about got this kayak rigged to best suit my needs.

I 3d printed some short gear tracks using PETG filament, and mounted them into the recessed area on both sides next to the seat. These are sized to hold an M6 hex bolt head nice and snug. I found some M6 eye nuts, and attached those as anchor points to leash my stringer, lip grippers, and eventually my paddle. I attached them to the kayak with two stainless screws, with a little goop around the screw holes and 1.25" fender washers with lock nuts on the inside to keep everything snug. These are very sturdy.

I didn't like the angle that the Scotty mount held my fish finder screen - it angled in quite a bit and felt a little claustrophobic. So, I 3d printed a RAM style mount for that also. I had to hodge podge a few different projects from online sources to mate the fish finder with the short adjustment arm and the base. It attaches to the factory track using a 1/4" t bolt through the ball mount, with a 1/4" locknut embedded in the ball. The model I used for the bottom mount had holes included in a perfect place to zip tie my cables so they are secure and out of the way.

I stuck an M6 bolt/eye in the track and leashed the head unit to that, which will also be the anchor point for line line cutters and pliers. I was surprised that the M6 bolt fit the track and tightened down, but it feels secure enough for light duty.

Looking for suggestions for a paddle holder - the factory paddle holder is on the starboard side, and I prefer to keep the paddle on the port side.

That's some cool and original 3D print job 

As for the paddle, you could just add a brungee to the port side just like the startboard and a hook somewhere near ff to strap it. However it may not have the built-in groove it normally sit on startboard side but a thick enough bungee diameter should hold ok.

That's some cool and original 3D print job 

As for the paddle, you could just add a brungee to the port side just like the startboard and a hook somewhere near ff to strap it. However it may not have the built-in groove it normally sit on startboard side but a thick enough bungee diameter should hold ok.

Thanks! I'm happy to share print files/links to the stuff I used, or if we plan to cross paths I can print and meet up.

I thought about just adding some bungee, but it doesn't have the channel on the port side. Some good thick bungee might hold it in place well enough though - I might try that.

I'm a little leery of the track mounted paddle holders, partly because I know that can be a lot of leverage on a relatively small plastic piece, but also because I think most of them would just put the paddle in the way.

I can see why no kayak is safe from your mods