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Vibe Kayak "Faux" Center Console Hinge...
There is a real console hinge you can buy.. from Wesley Nowlen.
https://youtu.be/xGLptJImWOE
Looks good.. it wasn't practical for me as my console is flipped 180 degrees.
He has come out with another version.. prices are $40 and $35 respectively
Anyway...
Why: until now I didn't really use the console..
it was just a pain to unbuckle the front strap.. rebuckle etc..
With this mod.. I can quickly release the front buckle... lift up the hatch.. and just drop it back down.
and re tighten front buckle with just a pull.
Even if you don't do the full mod...
1.) Lengthening the male end of the front buckle with a longer strap will certainly make things easier.
I suggest 12inches at first you can always cut it back.
Now you can just reach at the buckle and with a quick flip... loosen it to gain quick access.
and then just give the extra length of the strap a tug to tight again.
Hopefully you have some strap laying around you can cannibalize.
No unbuckling and re buckling.
now the rest of the mod...
faux_hinge.jpgdeck_fitting.jpg
2.)
2 x -> Tarpon Deck Fittings or Hobie style deck fitting.
or J-type lashing fittings
2 x -> M5 x 20 (.08 Pitch) Stainless Steel Screws.
1 x -> 9inch Grifiti Band Joes Silicone band (Amazon).
or a piece of shock cord cut to length as you fit to act as the "big" rubber band.
The picture pretty much makes it self-explanatory for attaching.
Except: the "silicone band" is NOT screwed in.. it just goes around the deck fittings.
Now with a quick flip of the front buckle...
The "silicone band" holds the lid in place... I can lift up the console and it drops back down like a hinge.
I already had all the parts... except for the screws.
There is a real console hinge you can buy.. from Wesley Nowlen.
https://youtu.be/xGLptJImWOE
Looks good.. it wasn't practical for me as my console is flipped 180 degrees.
He has come out with another version.. prices are $40 and $35 respectively
Anyway...
Why: until now I didn't really use the console..
it was just a pain to unbuckle the front strap.. rebuckle etc..
With this mod.. I can quickly release the front buckle... lift up the hatch.. and just drop it back down.
and re tighten front buckle with just a pull.
Even if you don't do the full mod...
1.) Lengthening the male end of the front buckle with a longer strap will certainly make things easier.
I suggest 12inches at first you can always cut it back.
Now you can just reach at the buckle and with a quick flip... loosen it to gain quick access.
and then just give the extra length of the strap a tug to tight again.
Hopefully you have some strap laying around you can cannibalize.
No unbuckling and re buckling.
now the rest of the mod...
faux_hinge.jpgdeck_fitting.jpg
2.)
2 x -> Tarpon Deck Fittings or Hobie style deck fitting.
or J-type lashing fittings
2 x -> M5 x 20 (.08 Pitch) Stainless Steel Screws.
1 x -> 9inch Grifiti Band Joes Silicone band (Amazon).
or a piece of shock cord cut to length as you fit to act as the "big" rubber band.
The picture pretty much makes it self-explanatory for attaching.
Except: the "silicone band" is NOT screwed in.. it just goes around the deck fittings.
Now with a quick flip of the front buckle...
The "silicone band" holds the lid in place... I can lift up the console and it drops back down like a hinge.
I already had all the parts... except for the screws.
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