Save me from overthinking! - Rigging for Trolling

My advice is to listen to pmmpete, as that guy really knows what he's doing. Other than that, my $0.02 is that tracks are overrated, and I'm a big fan of Scotty flush mounts...

Yes on Scotty Flush Mounts.  I've owned 5 Hobies, four I put Scotty Flush Mounts.  It can handle heavy trolling.  The Ram balls won't stay in place no matter how hard you tighten them.  For mounting electronics, Ram Mounts are great. 
Don't care for GearTracks.

+1  Fn ram balls lol they fn move all over the place when you troll.....seriously, i have 2 RAM BALL rod holders you can have cause they have been in my junk pile for 2 yrs =) maybe good for sturgeon fishin but don't have the patience for that

I have 3 scotty flush mounts along each side.  Provides all options I need to move rod holders, downriggers around given needs for each type of fishing.  Flexible and can be stripped down for hauling.  Run the DR in one of the rear mounts with rod in middle when DRigging.  Use the mid or forward mounts holder when top-lining or drift fishing. Works well for me.  I have since added a small ram ball for a new FF.  Have fun!

one more thing.... add pad eye and leash that $600 drive

+1

Any reason not to just use the bungee on the forward hatch as an attachment point for the Mirage drive leash?  Does it truly require a dedicated pad eye?  The brass clip lays so nicely in the drain channel from the forward hatch.

one more thing.... add pad eye and leash that $600 drive

+1

Any reason not to just use the bungee on the forward hatch as an attachment point for the Mirage drive leash?  Does it truly require a dedicated pad eye?  The brass clip lays so nicely in the drain channel from the forward hatch.

Boat flips, drive flops out, leash is attached and pulls on bungee, lid pops open. yak floods and now you've lost everything.  A long shot, but could happen.  I just removed the screw that holds the black thingy in place, placed a washer over the screw, and secured the clip in place.  It's not removable, so the leash stays with the boat this way.

I shouldn't say 'not removable', more like 'the clip don't un-clip' this way.  You can always unscrew it to remove it.

Boat flips, drive flops out, leash is attached and pulls on bungee, lid pops open. yak floods and now you've lost everything.  A long shot, but could happen.  I just removed the screw that holds the black thingy in place, placed a washer over the screw, and secured the clip in place.  It's not removable, so the leash stays with the boat this way.
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Doh!  Thanks for saving me from that mistake!  I just hate drilling holes if I don't have too...

+1  Fn ram balls lol they fn move all over the place when you troll.....seriously, i have 2 RAM BALL rod holders you can have cause they have been in my junk pile for 2 yrs =) maybe good for sturgeon fishin but don't have the patience for that

C'mon, man---don't hold back---tell us what you really think...

My advice is to listen to pmmpete, as that guy really knows what he's doing. Other than that, my $0.02 is that tracks are overrated, and I'm a big fan of Scotty flush mounts...

Yes on Scotty Flush Mounts.  I've owned 5 Hobies, four I put Scotty Flush Mounts.  It can handle heavy trolling.  The Ram balls won't stay in place no matter how hard you tighten them.  For mounting electronics, Ram Mounts are great. 
Don't care for GearTracks.

+1  Fn ram balls lol they fn move all over the place when you troll.....seriously, i have 2 RAM BALL rod holders you can have cause they have been in my junk pile for 2 yrs =) maybe good for sturgeon fishin but don't have the patience for that

I've NEVER had a problem with my RAM balls.  The arms have never moved.  I wonder if they've changed something in their production because mine are bombproof.

You looking to rid yourself of them?  I know somebody who may be interested.  You have pictures of which ones they are?

one more thing.... add pad eye and leash that $600 drive

+1

Any reason not to just use the bungee on the forward hatch as an attachment point for the Mirage drive leash?  Does it truly require a dedicated pad eye?  The brass clip lays so nicely in the drain channel from the forward hatch.

Your Outback should have a padeye next to the left front corner of its seat for the hook on the bungie cord.  Tie a length of cord to your drive, tie a stainless steel clip to the end of the cord, and attach the clip to the padeye.  You'll be in business.  Even if you dump your kayak while coming in through surf with the drive pulled out, your drive will stay attached to your kayak.

1.5" ram balls, never had a problem on either of my Hobies.  However, I have tapped them 2" deep and run a 10-32 stainless machine screw up the center of the ball.  The castings have been known to fracture under the rubber coating, just anal about rod loss.

1.5" ram balls, never had a problem on either of my Hobies.  However, I have tapped them 2" deep and run a 10-32 stainless machine screw up the center of the ball.  The castings have been known to fracture under the rubber coating, just anal about rod loss.

can you take a picture of how you modified the ram ball. My broke over the weekend when I was out trolling. I might have overtighten it since I was using more weight on the DR so it shifted. When I went to tighten it, it just spun and spun. I believe ram mount will warranty it however. If not then hoping to modified it stronger

caution for those to not overtighten theirs, haha.

ps:

glad I found out how weak these are before losing my rig

when i used to run RAM balls for holders, i used these...
http://www.amazon.com/YakAttack-HD-Track-Mount-TBK-1005/dp/B00TQ7C9AC

Will send picts.  Really simple fix.

I'm done with RAM mounts for rod holders.  1", 1.5" doesn't matter, none of them hold strong enough for trolling.  I don't mean pulling a tiny Rapala either... I mean trolling a diver/flasher/spinner combo, or something else with lots of drag like a flasher setup, or a 1lb ball for salmon with flasher and bait.  I tried sanding the balls, cutting groves in the clamps that grip the balls, adding a patch of rubber bike tubing, nothing seems to work.  You just cant tighten them enough to make them not slip.  And if a big fish hits it, forget it, almost goes into the drink!  RAM mounts are only good for mounting electronics IMHO.

I'm done with RAM mounts for rod holders.  1", 1.5" doesn't matter, none of them hold strong enough for trolling.  I don't mean pulling a tiny Rapala either... I mean trolling a diver/flasher/spinner combo, or something else with lots of drag like a flasher setup, or a 1lb ball for salmon with flasher and bait.  I tried sanding the balls, cutting groves in the clamps that grip the balls, adding a patch of rubber bike tubing, nothing seems to work.  You just cant tighten them enough to make them not slip.  And if a big fish hits it, forget it, almost goes into the drink!  RAM mounts are only good for mounting electronics IMHO.

 + 1