Local installation recommendations?

[dhawk]

Sounds like you have the skills to handle it on your own if ya run into trouble either post pics and get advice or hit me up im alot closer to columbia than archeryrob

[zeebyrd]

One mount done. The most important one - for my fish finder. I would like to say it went without a hitch, but I had a problem with one of the pronged tees coming loose. I ended up making a second backing plate and it worked fine.

I may do another Scotty mount on the other side, but it will probably be next weekend. I had other things to do today, so I had to quit after the one.

It wasn't as bad as I'd thought. I will have no problems doing the next one.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions and comments.

I am sorry I missed the meet and greet, but I am glad I got the one mount installed.

[zeebyrd]

Not a very exciting photo, dirty kayak, a not quite empty bottle of beer... But, new mount with fish finder in place. Much easier to do than I thought. Can't wait to add a couple more mounts.

The red pool noodle in the photo was used to reach into the hull to pull the ends of the string through so that I could tie the string to the backing plate. Worked quite well.

DSCN0329.jpg

[Nitefly]

Nice work! And nice Leffe!

[zeebyrd]

Nice work! And nice Leffe!

Thanks!

Here are additional photos of the "work" as it progressed. Only four pics total. The final result is in the post above with the bottle somewhat obscuring the fish finder's mount.

backingplate.jpgphoto.jpg]photo (1).jpgphoto (2).jpg

First pic shows Scotty mount next to backing plate with pronged tee nuts. Second pic shows Scotty mount "threaded" through 2 of 4 drilled holes. Third pic shows backing plate "threaded" and ready to be pulled through hull and behind the Scotty mount. Fourth pic shows kayak in the angled position on a ramp attached to my pickup truck's tailgate. I'm not sure what else it shows because I can't view the pic too well on my pc here at work.

All tee nuts and screws are stainless steel.

BTW, I use the same ramp to load the kayak into my truck when I have no one to help me. It makes loading it a lot easier. I am thinking of getting a small powered wench to hook up either to the power at my truck's hitch or the power point inside the cab to load the kayak. The "rounded/protruding" keel on the Frontier 12 makes it a bit difficult for me to get the kayak level on the tailgate and then go to the other end and push it up into the truck bed.

[Nitefly]

Cool idea to use the second seat as a a rod holder! I was wondering what that plate was in the previous post pics. I added another screwball to the track to bring one of my rod holders closer to me. Seeing your broken track concerns me a bit though.

[zeebyrd]

Cool idea to use the second seat as a a rod holder! I was wondering what that plate was in the previous post pics. I added another screwball to the track to bring one of my rod holders closer to me. Seeing your broken track concerns me a bit though.

I am seriously considering replacing the plastic tracks with metal ones. They are just plastic "c" channel. A quick google shows the metal channel/track at home Depot. For right now, I will replace it with the one that Nucanoe is sending me.

I truly have no idea how the track broke. I thought it was metal. They do have the tracks coated with something that at first glance sure makes them look like metal. As a result of the break, I am not adding any holders/mounts to the tracks.

Another thought comes up for the replacement of the track. I haven't yet checked how they are secured inside the hull. Another interesting project for me?

BTW, if anyone ever needs assistance with the threaded backing plate placement, please feel free to ask. I am an accountant - but I keep finding new projects to add to real life experience. I just found this one a bit intimidating at first - drilling into a not-as-cheap-as-my-canoe kayak had me concerned at first.

[Fish]

I need to get two of the ram ball mounts on my kayak, I have no experience whatsoever and was hoping someone had a good recommendation for the right person. Can anyone help a fellow out?

[J.A. Veil]

I am seriously considering replacing the plastic tracks with metal ones. They are just plastic "c" channel. A quick google shows the metal channel/track at home Depot. For right now, I will replace it with the one that Nucanoe is sending me.

Before buying aftermarket metal tracks, make sure they are made of a non-rusting metal. Some of the tracks I have seen on the internet for non-kayak applications are intended for indoor woodworking projects and may be made of steel.

[DaveFX35]

Self installs are not as bad as they seem. A good drill and bits make it easy. Measure multiple times and drill small holes. Thread each and every screw with marine goop.

There's a ton of Youtube videos for DIY.

[Fish]

Do you need to make sure you get the marine goop on the whole base of the mount?

Self installs are not as bad as they seem. A good drill and bits make it easy. Measure multiple times and drill small holes. Thread each and every screw with marine goop.

There's a ton of Youtube videos for DIY.

[DaveFX35]

Do you need to make sure you get the marine goop on the whole base of the mount?

Nope just the screws.

[Fish]

Should I be using nuts/bolts/washers instead? And does it have to be stainless steel?

[dhawk]

Yes use stainless and I always use stainless nuts with vinyl lock threads

[Tyrone Shoes]

My track is made by a woodworking tool manufacturer called "Kreg". Its anodized aluminum. Very strong, very lightweight and won't rust.