Pro Angler Rigging?

[Branch_Office]

Since I am a new member of the Pro Angler family, I was curious how other members in our club have rigged their Pro Anglers.

Mine is a "blank slate" at this point and I am anxious to drill some holes! I need to install my anchor trolley and as soon as my new fish finder / gps comes in I will install it. Those of you that have installed a fish finder where did you mount the transducer and did you use the silicone / goop method or something different.

Attach pics if you like.

Thanks in advance and can't wait to get it on the water...

[ReelThrill]

I use a suction cup transducer instead of mounting in the hull. I tried using silicone but kept getting an error reading. After seeing Chuck's suction cup setup I decided to switch.

[Domo]

Don't know if you have seen it or not so here is a link to hobie PA forum link.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewforum.php?f=78

[OldMan]

I used the goop to install the transducer have had no problems, you have to make sure you get all the air bubbles out. The front hatch I insulated it on the out side a on the inside of the lid for fish storage. It keeps the ice for a lot longer. Coup gave me the idea for the anchor, I used 4 pound dumbles that are rubber coated. Branch give me a call Larry 504-577-9277

[Choupique]

You can use the same foam “donut” but used vasaline instead of goop if you don’t want to risk an air bubble

[Branch_Office]

You can use the same foam “donut” but used vasaline instead of goop if you don’t want to risk an air bubble

Not sure I understand what you are saying....

What about the transducer kits like Hummingbird sells - seem to have good review and pretty simple?

[cajunboy]

Congrats -- Love mine. My wife and I were the ones fishing the day you and oldcaster were fishing Leeville and he lost that trout to a shark or something.

I did the goop in the front hatch for the FF, behind the support pole for the sail -- Works great. Ran cables to Port side mounting board and got a waterproof plano case with some waterproof underwater connectors we use at work.

Also, added anchor trolley on Stb'd side, but the best thing is I added is a bungee paddle keeper on the port rail by putting padeyes on the outside on the black plastic rail mounts and the on inside of the rail I put an eyelet post. It works the same like my wife's outback paddle keeper. Much better then sticking it behind the seat or such. Well out of the way.

I will put up pics tonight.

I also got a two jet ski trailer and set it up with rails for my PA, my wife's outback and a box to hold the peddles and junk.

[Branch_Office]

Thanks for the input and pics would be great! Maybe the next time y'all go back to Leeville we can hook up.. Can't wait to get mine in the water.

I ordered a Hummingbird 587ci and a couple of ram rod mounts that should be in Thursday or Friday so I can start "playing".

[Razoryak]

"but the best thing is I added is a bungee paddle keeper on the port rail by putting padeyes on the outside on the black plastic rail mounts and the on inside of the rail I put an eyelet post. It works the same like my wife's outback paddle keeper. Much better then sticking it behind the seat or such. Well out of the way."

Love to see pics on the paddle keeper - mine gets in the way when I put it on the floor of the PA. Thanks for your help!

[cajunboy]

Will post pics tonight of the rigging.

Got the idea from somewhere else about the paddle keeper bungee and it works great.

[cajunboy]

Here are the pics
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806

[theoldcaster]

what is that odd white thing in picture number 3 behind that nice yak?

[Branch_Office]

Thanks cajunboy....I think that is what I will probably do as well. I was kinda of at a loss of what to do with the paddle and did not want it just laying around behind me. Thanks again for the pics!

[cajunboy]

my wife's stinkpot ;-)

As soon as we get two more yaks to bring the daughter and son-in-law, may have to look get rid of it.

[Branch_Office]

See my post on a very nice OK Prowler Big Game..:biggrin:

[ijuswannafish]

Not sure I understand what you are saying....

What about the transducer kits like Hummingbird sells - seem to have good review and pretty simple?

I used the kit from Hummingbird to install dad's transducer. Very easy to use and a clean install. I would use it again if I needed to.

[Sandman]

I've been out of town and away from the computer so I am a bit out of the loop on everything. Glad to see you got your PA, Branch Office!

I mounted my FF to the left mounting plate and ran the wires through one of the left rod tubes. Inside the hull, I drilled a hole into the rod tube and pulled the wires through so I could mount the transducer behind the sail post. I also used the foam and Goop method and my readings are acurate, but I did take care to heat the Goop first to minimize air bubbles. I use a small deer feeder 12-volt that I had laying around to power it and so far it has been out on about 5 trips on the same charge.

I haven't mounted an anchor trolly or much of anything else yet. I did plan to find a way to mount the paddle out of the way because that is a pain. Thanks for the pics CajunBoy; now I know how to do it! I definitely want to find a way to insulate the front hatch to hold ice longer so if anyone has pics or a how to on that, please share.

[Branch_Office]

I saw theoldman's set up yesterday on how he rigged his pro angler and he had insulated the front compartment. He used that silver bubble wrap stuff you get at home depot or lowes and cut to fit on the bottom and top and he said it did a really good job. I will do the same here shortly. Yes, the paddle location is not the best in the yak. Cajunboy's idea looks good but it still sticks out a good bit and could get in the way in landing a fish so I don't know.

[Sandman]

He used that silver bubble wrap stuff you get at home depot or lowes and cut to fit on the bottom and top and he said it did a really good job.

I didn't think about that! I will have to pick some up next time I go to Lowes to try it out.

[Hobie1Kenobie]

I have not rigged my pa with anything other than my arse and a sandwich to date. I have only taken it out twice so far.
Thanks for the pics CajunBoy, I will look at copying your style soon. I don't like the idea of not having a paddle.
I guess the most paramount thing on my rig wish list would be insulate the front hatch bin. I can get my hands on some really thick closed cell foam to wrap the bin in but have not decided if I will hot glue it or what just yet. I am a cooler type guy but it seems like a waste of an ideal space not to insulate that bin.

[Yellow Submarine]

Steve
Look into getting a rivet gun and buy those Speciality waterproof rivets fron Austin Kayaks at 55cents each, they make everything much easier to install. Just drill the hole and pop in the rivet and its done, wham bam thankyou mam, Harbor freight has several rivet guns to choose from.

[cajunboy]

I like the idea of the silver bubble wrap -- stopping on the way home, because so far the only water I've gotten in the PA is from the sweating the front hatch bin does ;-)
It does also make a lot of noise when the ice melts............

As far as the Paddle getting in the way, it been fine, it does not really get in the way. It's the same like the Outback. Very convenient to hook and unhook with one hand.

I have my FF/GPS on that side with my rod holder on the std'b side and try to keep fish on the stb'd side -- if I can.

I will take more pics tonight to show all the other mods I've added. My next one, beside the insulation, is to put an internal trolley to hook things to so I don't lose them in the yak

[Branch_Office]

Another question...do y'all usually leave the paddle in one piece or keep it split to take up less space?

Theoldman used black duct tape to attach his wrap to the lid and bucket. He said the wrap did a good job on keeping things cool. He also said he thought he was going to put a second layer on the lid section just because it got the most sun....sounded good to me!

On the fish finder /gps mounting, I was thinking of using a ram mount in the sail mast hole in front of the lid and trying to keep the side boards clean...pro or cons on this. I saw several on other forums and that is what they did and looked good and clean...also would be close to the transducer and battery without a lot of wire running.

Another crazy idea....taking the bucket inside the cutting board hatch and filling the drain holes and cutting the sides where it makes a side compartment and using this as a live well. Could even drop in a bubble stone to help keep bait lively. Thoughts??? The little tackle boxes could be relocated to the side compartments by the seat.

My new Hummingbird 587ci came in this afternoon...woohooo!

[Branch_Office]

Steve
Look into getting a rivet gun and buy those Speciality waterproof rivets fron Austin Kayaks at 55cents each, they make everything much easier to install. Just drill the hole and pop in the rivet and its done, wham bam thankyou mam, Harbor freight has several rivet guns to choose from.

Thanks Marty, I already own two rivet guns and the last time I order from Hook 1 I got a bag of 50 of the specialty rivets. Those are just good to have on hand for a yak.

[ReelThrill]

I would definitely be interested in seeing some pics of how you insulated the cooler. I put ice in it now and its stays cool but the ice is always melted after a couple of hours.

[Psycho Joe]

Add salt to the ice, it will last longer!

[ReelThrill]

Thanks for the tip Joe, I will try that.