Fishing Forum

This is a heavy picture post.
I bought this Escape and love it for the seat, comfort, and rowing capability.
My problem is adding accessories to it.
I have done well, but always looking for more.
I like to take three rods with me at a time (each with different weight fly line)
Also my sonar
Take a look at what I am dealing with:

First off, the bottom is solid. No holes to feed anything through except to small holes at the nose which I did elongate.



Not as much room behind me and with the air floor it isn't a deep pocket like SFC and such



With the oars facing back, there is no room for side racks.



Now as far as what I have used, I have a tube mount Scotty I put on the back


At this point it can hold ONE rod and the side bags do have pockets to hold rods but they are a little horizontal for my liking.

I have considered buying one of these seeing how I have the rod holders and the base already:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...m23&Go.x=0

Of course each rod would have a leash.

As far as Sonar, I use an old Fishing Buddy mount and connect it to the inside D ring and under the boat. Screen is on the ram and just stuck in the bag. That is the one thing I haven't figured out



As far as D rings, it has 4 each side for the bags. Two on the outside and two straight across on the inside, plus one big one on the nose.
I just add two more to the outside so I can slide the bags back and row easier.



Any ideas?

Oh and I can turn the oars around so the blade faces forward which gives a little more room on the sides, but again, not many D rings.
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You could mount a small deck on the back using the two back d rings and the end d ring. Holders could go there. Maybe even in a round "lazy susan" formation off the left side to keep your casting area clear. Might have to use a shaped foam underside to the deck to help it to fit on the uneven tubes.
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Okay, I think I am seeing this. The Hubby was talking a small aluminum deck, I like the styro idea underneath.
Problem with this idea was he was talking about the Scotty deck mounts...they are like $7.99 ea. Not really into that again, but it would be cheaper than the $44. plus like you say, slightly off to the left so I can cast.
Great, keep them coming.
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You could go TubeDude style with the PVC "T"s cut in half and mounted to the deck.
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My little Brother is a sprinkler man and I am not as trusting of PVC as you all are[laugh]
Any ideas on the Screen for my sonar...as I said it is on a RAM mount for my Outlaw so it has that Ball on the bottom.
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It also might be possible to run a strap horizontal across the back 3 d rings. Using the center outside to keep it down and in place. Then another strap across the inside using the center holes and outside d ring to keep in in place and close to the tube. Then I think you might be able to attach your scotty mounts from those. I'm not sure that the Scottys will work that way or not. I don't have one.

It would have to be a case of putting it together with just enough tension on a partially inflated tube that it would seat well when fully inflated.

Not sure if any of that makes sense to you!
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To add to my last post -- Actually you could use the Scotty mount in the center to hold the horizontal straps in place.
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I haven't seen the ram mounts. Do you have a picture? How long is it?
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There is this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...id=0013692

The ball is about the size of a quarter diameter. The shaft is about 6".
On my X5 I have a ring adaptor that I put around my foot peg and the ball is on a round plate and attache to the ring. As for the screen, it too is a plate with the ball attached.
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It would cost you a bit, but you could get a spare mounting ball and just mount it to a piece of plywood that is cut to fit in the bottom of your bag. The plywood only needs to be big enough to give you a stable base, probably not full length. Attach it in the bag with screws and large washers through the bottom up. Might want to cover the screw heads with something like silicone if they are likely to rub on the tube. If they are off to the sides they might not even touch. Or you could even just use big pieces of velcro in the bag and on the bottom of the plywood mount. (might have to sew the velcro into the bag.)
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That was too easy. What a great idea.
I will cruise up to REI tomorrow and get that small round ball mount.
Maybe Lexan to keep it thin. But as you say length and width of bag bottom.

I am trying to visualize the cross bar suggestion. My Hubby said something like that, but I am not seeing it.
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If by crossbar you mean the straps -- it is a bit hard to explain. I am not sure if it will work satisfactorily or not without experimenting. Basically the idea is to create a horizontal tie down on both the inside and outside of your main tube. The biggest problem is the inside strap - you will have to pull it back and snug with a strap that comes up from the outside center d ring through your two holes in the bottom of your floor.

Once the straps are on you should be able to use them to tie down things such as the rod holders as they just extend the functionality of your d rings around your tube.

Visualize a rope going from d ring to d ring in a line. Like what used to be on kids' rubber rafts.
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[cool][#0000ff]I too was going to suggest a wood "floor" in the bottom of your side pocket. Plain old particle board would do...as long as it holds the screws for mounting the ram setup. It does not have to hold much weight or stress...unless you are really into power sonar use. And even though it will add a small amount of weight, it will not significantly reduce the useable space inside the pocket. If you stack a bit of gear on top of it you should not even have to secure it to the bag. But if you need to you can use double sided sticky tape instead of screws. Contact cement or epoxy if you want to make it more permanent.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks, this was literally right in front of my face. Thanks people.
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Post some photos when you get it done. It would be great to see how you "fixed" up your Escape.

Thanks for the smoker. My friend is gonna use it this weekend.
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I will. And what time is dinner?[]
Tell him thanks....that thing was as big as my car!!!!!
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