SlideTrax Dashboard

  After fishing in my Tarpon 140 for a few months without using rod holders or a fishfinder I decided it was time for me to rig my kayak for fishing. I purchased a scotty rod holder a week ago and was about to drill holes in it when I saw this product through a link on the Wilderness Systems web page. It's called the SlideTrax Dashboard, is supposed to be compatible with the 2009 Tarpon lineup, my kayak however is not the new model. The reason why I was so intrigued with the product is because it allows you to drill holes into the dashboard instead of the kayak.
    I was wondering if any of you guys have used this product before or a product similar to this and were able to install it on the older Tarpon series. In the description of the product it says "Slotted edges on both ends accommodate varying kayak width and allow adjustment to desired position on SlideTrax rails. Simple attachment to SlideTrax rails via base plates and hex head screws (included)." So it leads me to beleive it is not compatible with just the newer tarpons. If any of you guys have used this, or have an opinion about it please respond! I am trying to drill as little holes as possible to my kayak!

Thanks,
OHV 



P.S here is the link to the product http://paddlesportsportal.com/wildynews/2009/02/slidetrax-accessory-details-released/

Holes can be scary...We've all been there. But it sounds like you have had the boat for a bit and have a good idea where you want stuff. The only holes that are 'really' scary are the flush mount holders. All the other holes are pretty minor and can be repaired or covered up.

  After fishing in my Tarpon 140 for a few months without using rod holders or a fishfinder I decided it was time for me to rig my kayak for fishing. I purchased a scotty rod holder a week ago and was about to drill holes in it when I saw this product through a link on the Wilderness Systems web page. It's called the SlideTrax Dashboard, is supposed to be compatible with the 2009 Tarpon lineup, my kayak however is not the new model. The reason why I was so intrigued with the product is because it allows you to drill holes into the dashboard instead of the kayak.
    I was wondering if any of you guys have used this product before or a product similar to this and were able to install it on the older Tarpon series. In the description of the product it says "Slotted edges on both ends accommodate varying kayak width and allow adjustment to desired position on SlideTrax rails. Simple attachment to SlideTrax rails via base plates and hex head screws (included)." So it leads me to beleive it is not compatible with just the newer tarpons. If any of you guys have used this, or have an opinion about it please respond! I am trying to drill as little holes as possible to my kayak!

Thanks,
OHV 



P.S here is the link to the product http://paddlesportsportal.com/wildynews/2009/02/slidetrax-accessory-details-released/

I saw that today actually.  I'm a noob, but there are some pretty good resources as to how to exactly rig your yak.  And the Tarpon 140 has pretty defined areas to install, so you should be good!  

IMO: I don't like installing anything that's permanent on my yak. Detachable (and stowable) is key especially when going in and out of the surf. Any attachment permanently made on a kayak can become a problem. Example, if your kayak ever flips during a surf landing, ANYTHING that sticks out from your deck will be ripped off when it hits the shoreline - and possibly even create a bigger hole. Keep you set-up simple

...just my 2 cents.

IMO:  Example, if your kayak ever flips during a surf landing, ANYTHING that sticks out from you deck will be ripped off when it hits the shoreline  Keep you set-up simple

...just my 2 cents.

Yep! Upright Rods snap real nice too.

Im with Mooch.  This kind of BS is nota good idea.  Lean, mean and low profile.

Alright guys! Thanks for the help, I decided to drill the holes 

The new 2009 Tarpons have a recessed groove along each gunwale at the forward half of the cockpit.  This accepts the SlideTrax T-track rail on each side.  The SlideTrax Dashboard brackets run inside the rails.

I don't think you can get the SlideTrax rails to retrofit older models and if you could, they would have to be secured above surface rather than in the recessed grooves molded into the new models.  This would present another potential snag during a self recovery as mentioned previously.

Less is more.

Ive been messing around with slide trax system and it seems to be good for adjustable attachment points for leg straps and for securing crates in the aft, BUT the dashboard concept is almost as lame as that malibu X-wing thing. These TV tray sytems are just asking to get ripped off and cause serious hull damage. Im curious if WS will be releasing anymore attachments for the system but im still planning on keeping the deck slippery clean and that will require multiple holes. Solid planning and the available info on this site should take away any fears of taking power tools to your plastic so grow a pair and get to work.
One more thing. Save all of those plastic shavings. You may need them for hull repairs somewhere down the road.

Ive been messing around with slide trax system and it seems to be good for adjustable attachment points for leg straps and for securing crates in the aft, BUT the dashboard concept is almost as lame as that malibu X-wing thing. These TV tray sytems are just asking to get ripped off and cause serious hull damage. Im curious if WS will be releasing anymore attachments for the system but im still planning on keeping the deck slippery clean and that will require multiple holes. Solid planning and the available info on this site should take away any fears of taking power tools to your plastic so grow a pair and get to work.
One more thing. Save all of those plastic shavings. You may need them for hull repairs somewhere down the road.

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Great advice right there!!!!

i think the slidetrax dashboard is more useful in places like the south where there are not really surf landings. i think on the west coast we tend to forget that there is a huge kayak fishing following in the south where a lot of these kayaks we see are marketed towards. 

That is a really good point and that style may work very well for some. I can see the advantages of having everything mounted on one removable bracket. I know Id like the quick set up and take down but I think its the higher profile and rigidity that kind of creeps me out.
Besides getting surf smashed, any attached arch would seem to increase the chance of getting snagged by or tangled up with branches on rivers or even when just fishing back in the trees.
I find it challenging enough to get into the front hatch without swimming, the obstacle course cant help. If you do (and you will) end up in the water that same obstacle can again be a factor.
I think that just getting back into your boat has been dubbed "self rescue" but if you really are having a situation and you need to get back in the boat yesterday, a great way is to straddle and climb up the bow until you are back in the captains chair. the TV tray will make this VERY difficult.
Most importantly a monster fish may take you to the rail and it may be more than challenging when the fish starts taking the rod where it decides to.
I think the ram ball system is the best for allowing your mounted gear to easily fold down below the deck level when they need to be low profile AND they are still held secure.
just my perspective   wow  kind of went on

BUT the dashboard concept is almost as lame as that malibu X-wing thing

Just messing with ya Terry

ouch! no doubt I deserved that.
nothing like good friends to publicly bring up your past failures.
It was "the gauntlet"s high profile and being similiarly lame that got it put in a box and shoved under the project table.
thanks Mike