Rigging on Naked Pro Angler 14

[Jambone]

Well, I have a Pro Angler 14 being shipped from Hobie and it should be arriving some time next week (week of 4 Nov). I'm looking for suggestions on must have rigging and electronics.

I ordered the anchor trolley system, and the dolly. I'm going to grab a flag, probably the Yak Attack VISICarbon Pro. I'm probably going to add Yak Attack GearTracks to both mounting boards. I would like to install at least one rod holder on one of the mounting boards and a fishfinder/chartplotter on the other.

I guess I'm going to get a Lowrance product, seems like they make good products for kayaks. I just sold my boat with Furuno and Garmin gear, I'd prefer not to buy a Garmin product again unless someone can convince me otherwise. If you could pick any of the Lowrance fishfinder/chartplotters, which one would you choose, assuming price not a factor? Which unit would be the most useful tool but still feasible on a Kayak? Is it worth getting one of the Gen2 touch units with built in Structure Scan or just go with one of the more base units or Gen2 HDS units? Is Structure Scan a nice feature for use on a kayak or just super overkill? Would the touch screen units even work well in a really wet and sloppy environment?

Any help for the new guy would be greatly appreciated. I will start searching through the forums in the meantime. Thanks for your help in advance.

[sparky1423]

You're definitely on the right path, Jambone. Install the tracks for sure, that way you can adjust your equipment to make sure they do not interfere with your paddling stroke (when launching). Also, be aware of your casting side as to where to install your FF. I installed my electronics on the opposite side of my casting arm. You're rod holders will mostly be used for trolling, usually most guys will push them forward, barely in reach for that moment of triumph. Also place them so your rod tips are in view incase of your lure fouling with grass or leaves.

As to the FF, some yakers do have the touch screen...but most do not. I use a Humminbird with GPS / down imagine. Honestly, I use the sonar more than the down imagining...but the GPS is an absolute. Be sure to get a mount for your flag. My flag installs in a scotty mount directly in the center rear of my kayak. Good Luck....take your time rigging, you will keep changing as you spend more quality time in your boat!

[russ498]

Congrats on the new Pro Angler. You will not be disappointed.

For about the same price as the Visi Pole, you can hardwire in LED bow light with a plug-in LED sternlight on a three or four foot mast. The lights run off of the same battery that powers the depth finder. I added reflective tape and a high visibility flag to the mast on mine. The track system is definitely the way to go.

I have the Lowrance HDS 7, Gen 2 with the touchscreen. The touchscreen feature alone makes it worth the price to me. I love being able to go from feature to feature without fooling with menus. The side scan transducer is large. I mounted mine using two standard transducer side mount and it works fine. All of that said, there are plenty of people in kayaks catching a lot more fish than me using very basic equipment. They are better/more knowledgeable fisherman and they get the results. You cannot buy results just by buying upscale accessories. The same could be said comparing a low dollar store brand kayak versus the Pro Angler or other high dollar Yak.

I have set up multiple kayaks for myself and others and would be happy to assist anyone else attempting to get started. I have the tools and the mechanical/electrical background to make it work and look good.

[Jambone]

You're definitely on the right path, Jambone. Install the tracks for sure, that way you can adjust your equipment to make sure they do not interfere with your paddling stroke (when launching). Also, be aware of your casting side as to where to install your FF. I installed my electronics on the opposite side of my casting arm. You're rod holders will mostly be used for trolling, usually most guys will push them forward, barely in reach for that moment of triumph. Also place them so your rod tips are in view incase of your lure fouling with grass or leaves.

As to the FF, some yakers do have the touch screen...but most do not. I use a Humminbird with GPS / down imagine. Honestly, I use the sonar more than the down imagining...but the GPS is an absolute. Be sure to get a mount for your flag. My flag installs in a scotty mount directly in the center rear of my kayak. Good Luck....take your time rigging, you will keep changing as you spend more quality time in your boat!

Those are all very helpful suggestions and comments. I will certainly consider them before mounting my gear, thanks. I think I'm going to try the Yak Attack flag/light combo that folds up and mount it to one of those mighty mounts in the stern.

[Jambone]

Congrats on the new Pro Angler. You will not be disappointed.

For about the same price as the Visi Pole, you can hardwire in LED bow light with a plug-in LED sternlight on a three or four foot mast. The lights run off of the same battery that powers the depth finder. I added reflective tape and a high visibility flag to the mast on mine. The track system is definitely the way to go.

I have the Lowrance HDS 7, Gen 2 with the touchscreen. The touchscreen feature alone makes it worth the price to me. I love being able to go from feature to feature without fooling with menus. The side scan transducer is large. I mounted mine using two standard transducer side mount and it works fine. All of that said, there are plenty of people in kayaks catching a lot more fish than me using very basic equipment. They are better/more knowledgeable fisherman and they get the results. You cannot buy results just by buying upscale accessories. The same could be said comparing a low dollar store brand kayak versus the Pro Angler or other high dollar Yak.

I have set up multiple kayaks for myself and others and would be happy to assist anyone else attempting to get started. I have the tools and the mechanical/electrical background to make it work and look good.

russ498, thanks for the info. I have some questions, what battery are you using to power all of that Lowrance gear and how long can you run your gear with everything on, e.g. transducer, display, and Structure Scan? Do you worry about power consumption issues? Also, since you have the PA 14, what length track can you fit on the mounting boards? Also, with the HDS Touch, which transducer did you get, e.g. 50/200, and did it fit correctly in the transducer mount area under the boat? I also thought that the Structure Scan transducer would maybe work great if mount off the back handle of the boat with some kind of swivel mount to rotate it in and out of the water depending on if it's being used or not, thoughts?

[Memory Maker]

Welcome to the Yak Yacht Club ............ Don't forget to get your ascot, martini glass and braided captains hat .....

You cannot have enough gear tracks ........ They allow you to change configurations at the drop of a hat .......... I think I have 9 on mine ..... 1 -4" on the back, 8" ones just behind the seat either side, longer 1's on the rails and the longest on the boards and a small one up front .......... I can change configs for anything I want to do in a couple of minutes ..... Less than 5

DF's ........ I have the Hummingbird down and side scan.......... I think Lowrance might be more powerful but the transducer on it is 2 stage and a bear .......... Hummingbird has 1 regular sized 1 ........... The reason I went w/hummingbird ........ Either is great though ........

The h bar is good too if you a want to stand ......... Outriggers are nice too if you are fat and balanced challenged like me ........

[Jambone]

Welcome to the Yak Yacht Club ............ Don't forget to get your ascot, martini glass and braided captains hat .....

You cannot have enough gear tracks ........ They allow you to change configurations at the drop of a hat .......... I think I have 9 on mine ..... 1 -4" on the back, 8" ones just behind the seat either side, longer 1's on the rails and the longest on the boards and a small one up front .......... I can change configs for anything I want to do in a couple of minutes ..... Less than 5

DF's ........ I have the Hummingbird down and side scan.......... I think Lowrance might be more powerful but the transducer on it is 2 stage and a bear .......... Hummingbird has 1 regular sized 1 ........... The reason I went w/hummingbird ........ Either is great though ........

The h bar is good too if you a want to stand ......... Outriggers are nice too if you are fat and balanced challenged like me ........

Which Hummingbird model do you use with side scan? Also, how can I figure out which transducers will fit in PA?

[Memory Maker]

798ci ......... None of the sidescans fit the pa ........ All are external mounts ........ Even the Lowrances

[Jambone]

Yeah, I think I'm realizing that now. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to get the Lowrance Elite-7 HDI. That unit at least has the down scan feature. I don't think I want to spend another $1000 to get the touch model. I'm not sure how valuable the side scan would really be, but I'm not willing to spend the extra cash to find out. I'm sure it would be a nice feature but I think I can live without it. It would be nice to use in unfamiliar water or to help find schools of fish to the left and right of the boat. I'm also a little concerned about the extra power consumption and more crap hanging off the boat.

[CB kayak 02]

http://thehobielife.blogspot.com/p/d...ojects_22.html

A couple easy additions I would suggest for any pro angler.

As far as storage for the back of the new seats, look into TackleWebs.com for some options.

[The Lost Navigator]

I own the Hobie 14 Pro Angler too. I built a rod holder out of 1 1/4 CPVC that holds three rods and my flag pole. Additionally, attached to the rod holder, I have two foldable trolling arms that swing out left and right. They are great for trolling and maintaining line separation. You can do about anything you want with PVC. The flag pole has a yak attack led battery operated light that's good for about 90-100 hours. The pole is a piece of 1" PVC which you can make as long as you'd like. It fits neatly into the CPVC rod holder rack in the 4th position. The yak attack light fits inside with a couple of wraps of duck tape. I also have two Hobie rod holders mounted in the front on the mounting pads for trolling. My fish finder is a lowrance x4pro black and white, nothing fancy. It works fine. I use an inside the hull transducer which I mounted with marine goop just forward of the sail mounting pole. I made a battery holder out of neoprene packaging material and cut it so the battery fits. Sturdy and functional. I carry a Uninden waterproof floating VHF/GPS. Mostly I use the GPS for Ground speed, and the VHF for safety, however, the GPS can be used to mark your favorite fishing spots. Hope this helps give you some idea of what the possibilities are. Bob

[Jambone]

I just recieved my Lowrance Elite-7 HDI this afternoon but still waiting for new on the boat delivery. I'm hoping it shows up by the end of the week. I was unable to place an order for the Hobie Battery Install Kit III. That kit is hard to find available. My dealer hasn't got back to me about getting it for me. I'm considering setting up a batter from scratch but the Hobie kit seems to be a very good setup. I think the charger looks a little cheesy but I'll give it a shot. I'd rather us a Batter Tender charger that I can just leave hooked to the battery. I will probably just rig up something temporary for the weekend and wait to see what other guys have rigged up.

My YakAttack gear should be here soon but I think the Ram mount for the Elite-7 and Ram rod holder may not make it by the end of the week. If all works out, I'm still planning on fishing the new boat on Saturday at the Meet-and-Greet. I still need to find a classy bottle of beer to crack over the hull when it's time to splash her for the first time.

[Jaspratt]

Which hobie kit are you refering to? http://m.austinkayak.com/phone/prodDetails.php?ID=1459 if its this one, you will not be able to run the lowrance unit u have with 8AA batteries. Your probably better off puttig together a kit from scratch. And using a batt tender like you wanted.

[Jambone]

Which hobie kit are you refering to? http://m.austinkayak.com/phone/prodDetails.php?ID=1459 if its this one, you will not be able to run the lowrance unit u have with 8AA batteries. Your probably better off puttig together a kit from scratch. And using a batt tender like you wanted.

The Hobie Battery Install Kit III includes a 9-amp hour battery. The power consumption estimate for the Lowrance Elite 7 is about 0.9-amps per hour. A 9AH battery should get me through a day on the water. I think that size battery for the PA14 is a good compromise between weight and power. I could always keep a second battery dockside and do a quick swap if I need to.

[Jaspratt]

Oh yeah that should be plenty, i have a elite 5 dsi, and i use a 12ah battery and it lasts forever.