Hobie AI sailport scotty mount

Getting ready to take the new AI out... stoked.  Was wondering if I could modify the sailport when not sailing to accept a scotty mount, so this is what I came up with: 

I purchased a 2.5" hose extender for a shop vac for 8 bucs.  These are slightly tapered, which helps actually.  There is one 2.5" end, and one 2" end.  Then for $9 I purchased a scotty threaded flush deck mount, which has a diameter of 2.5".  Then I purchased a plastic cap for the tube that fits a 2.5" tube for $9.  I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NQQNLZJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. 

Basically, I mounted the scotty deck mount to the lid by drilling a 1" hole in the exact center.  Then I filed the hole down just enough to screw the scotty mount in.  The backing nut for the scotty mount also has a diameter of 2.5", so to get it to fit inside the lid and mount tightly , I had to grind down the flange all the way to the hex faces...  took some work, but once I got the nut ground down, I easily screwed it together tightly.  Then, I just put the cap on the 2.5" end of the tube, cut the other end of the tube down to size, and that's it!  It fits snugly in the sail port, keeps the bearings in place, and more importantly, I can mount my compass up front.  The compass up front is one of the best things ever to have on a kayak, imho.

Anyway, not sure if anyone will find this useful, but its pretty clean and very nice to turn the sailport into something I can use when not sailing. 

Best,
Nolan

  

That’s interesting, but where do you put the compass when sailing? I rarely go without the sail, so I mounted a smaller compass on the center hatch cover.

That’s interesting, but where do you put the compass when sailing? I rarely go without the sail, so I mounted a smaller compass on the center hatch cover.

Yeah, still working that out.  I can mount a Scotty mount on the front aka and put my compass there, but it's nice to have it in the middle of the boat.  One problem at a time.  I still need to learn to sail, so until then, for fishing missions, I'll mount my compass there. 

One advantage of bringing the sail, even if you keep it furled the whole time, is that it helps make you visible to powerboats. More so than a dedicated visibility flag, since it is 16 feet tall.

One advantage of bringing the sail, even if you keep it furled the whole time, is that it helps make you visible to powerboats. More so than a dedicated visibility flag, since it is 16 feet tall.

Exactly. When heading out of (or into) the harbor, I always unfurl the sail for added visibility, even if there is no wind.

I’d like to mount a light on top of the mast for those early morning and/or foggy missions but have not figured out how to remotely control it (I’d prefer not to have to step the mast just to turn the light on or off).

One advantage of bringing the sail, even if you keep it furled the whole time, is that it helps make you visible to powerboats. More so than a dedicated visibility flag, since it is 16 feet tall.

For sure.  Thanks!   

I’d like to mount a light on top of the mast for those early morning and/or foggy missions but have not figured out how to remotely control it (I’d prefer not to have to step the mast just to turn the light on or off).

Instead of the top of the mast, make the light to be hookable to the eyelet  at the end of the sail.  If the sail flaps, now your light will swing back and forth

That's an awesome hack to use when not sailing!  Many uses for it like a Scotty Light Pole or a Yak-Attack Visipole, sturgeon rod balancer, or maybe a Scotty Tripple Mount! 

One advantage of bringing the sail, even if you keep it furled the whole time, is that it helps make you visible to powerboats. More so than a dedicated visibility flag, since it is 16 feet tall.

I am a huge fan of AIS, think every boat on the ocean should have it.