Adhesives in kayaks

Just got off the phone from purchasing my first kayak (2020 Hobie Outback in camo) and I'm pumped!

I'm a DIYer, and I already see doors opening for new creations... albeit, I'm new to the world of watertight, PVC, and pool floaties.

Generally speaking, what do people use for adhesives in kayaks for things like mounting battery boxes, etc? Do people generally try to use anchor points instead of adhesives?

I'm a big fan of Locktite PL glue, and use it for practically everything around the house from sticking and sealing things. Not sure if I should apply the same philosophy with a kayak, however.

Marine Goop

Congrats on your purchase.  I have the same kayak and love it.  On the battery mounting, it depends on which setup you go with.  I've seen some battery holding mounts that clamp onto the sail mast pole inside your hatch.  I run a Nocqua battery which the nylon case can be strapped to the same mast pole.  They also make a plate that suspends the battery in the rear round hatch if you chose that option.  Good luck and enjoy outfitting your Outback.

I've always preferred hard mounts, SS nuts n' screws, zip tys even, but for adhesion to polyethylene I use Lexel, it's some sticky stuff.

It's hard to find a glue which will stick to polyethylene reliably enough to be used to attach gear to a kayak.  It's better to attach gear with bolts, and then use something like Marine Goop or Aquaseal to make a waterproof gasket between the piece of gear and the kayak's hull in order to seal the bolt holes. The adhesive will be watertight even if you can peel it right off the kayak's hull if you remove the bolts and the piece of gear.

I use marine goop where necessary...and marine grade vecro for battery box and other misc stuff

https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-Marine-Straps-Designed/dp/B00144EGWY

I've always preferred hard mounts, SS nuts n' screws, zip tys even, but for adhesion to polyethylene I use Lexel, it's some sticky stuff.

So, yeah, I would never recommend using any adhesive to mount something on a yak that you weren't willing to lose, or in a yak that would cause significant trouble if it came loose.  Years ago I finally glued in my shoot thru hull transducer with Lexel and it never came loose. But now they all have the scupper mounted ones so no more shoot thru hull stuff for me. And don't use Lexel as a sealer around anything you might want to take off some day, because almost all sealers come off polyethylene pretty easy, but I never had Lexel come off and ended up using a razor blade to shave it off when I did need it to come loose. 

It's hard to find a glue which will stick to polyethylene reliably enough to be used to attach gear to a kayak.  It's better to attach gear with bolts, and then use something like Marine Goop or Aquaseal to make a waterproof gasket between the piece of gear and the kayak's hull in order to seal the bolt holes. The adhesive will be watertight even if you can peel it right off the kayak's hull if you remove the bolts and the piece of gear.

This.

For securing electronics cables or locator pads to limit movement of a battery box inside the hull, hi-temp glue gun works well. Pool noodle strip glued to the hull will keep a box in place when OTW except during yard sales.  - DAMHIK

Remove box during travel/transport.

It's hard to find a glue which will stick to polyethylene reliably enough to be used to attach gear to a kayak.  It's better to attach gear with bolts, and then use something like Marine Goop or Aquaseal to make a waterproof gasket between the piece of gear and the kayak's hull in order to seal the bolt holes. The adhesive will be watertight even if you can peel it right off the kayak's hull if you remove the bolts and the piece of gear.

This.

+1.
Dont go crazy, go do a water fishing trial feel the kayak and you will see what you need.  Your outback comes with lots of rails and built-in rod holder, so you really shouldn't need too much to add.  If you want to add stuff, I suggest you look for Scotty then YakAttack.


https://thekayakfishingstore.com/shop/yakattack-mightymount-deck-mount-adapter-kit/