Installing YakAttack GearTrac GTTL90 to the Hobie Revolution 16

I needed a versatile way to install accessories such as a fish finder and camera mounts on the Hobie Revolution 16. Space is limited so I opted for slide tracks, in particular  the high quality YakAttack GearTrac GTTL90 tracks. This blog post runs through how i installed them....

YakAttack GearTrac GTTL90 Slide Tracks

There isn't a great amount of space around the footwell of the Revo 16 for accessory mounting. There is a small flat space just forwards of the side pockets, where there is just enough room for a Railblaza Starport HD, a Scotty Rectangular Deck Mount or a Ram Mount with Diamond base. There is also a flat space at the front of the footwell around the sail mount where base mounts could be fitted. However, I didn't want to be limited to accessories from just one brand, nor did i want a chunky deck mount protruding from the hull. I needed something more versatile and less obtrusive.... i needed slide tracks! 

Slide tracks are great and many fishing kayak now come with them as standard, however the Revo 16 does not. They allow you to install various accessories quickly and easily whilst allowing for adjustability in the positioning of each accessory. All of the main accessory brands (e.g. Railblaza, Ram Mounts, Scotty) make accessory mounts that are compatible with slide tracks so you can be very versatile in your accessory set up and not be limited to accessories from just one manufacturer. It was just a case of choosing which after-market slide tracks to go for. There was only really one contender... YakAttack! 

YakAttack are well known for their high quality slide tracks, which they name GearTrac. The latest model is the GearTrac GTTL90. The GTTL stands for 'Gear Trac Top Loading' and this is a design which allows for accessory track mounts to be fitted to the track from the top, rather than sliding in from the end of the track. This makes loading and moving accessories around a bit easier. The GearTrac GTTL90 is made from a marine-grade aluminium and is designed to withstand saltwater abuse. They are low-profile too. Hobie sell GearTrac GTTL90 pre-packaged with installation bolts and a YakAttack FullBack Backing Plate. The backing plate is made from 1/4" thick anodised aluminium with threaded holes for the installation bolts to screw down into. This makes for a very strong installation and can be used wherever there is a flat area inside the hull for the backing plate to sit against. The tracks are available in 4", 8" and 12" kits, and i purchased mine from Cornwall Canoes - see here. 

I opted for 3 lengths of the 8" GTTL90 GearTrac kits. I would install one on each side of the footwell, and one at the front of the footwell. This would give me plenty of options for accessory mounting. ​

Here is how i installed them....

Tools Required

• Drill with a 4mm Drill Bit
• Allen Key/Hex Set 
• Marker Pen
• Marine Grade Sealant/Adhesive

Fitting YaAttack GearTrac GTTL90 to the Revolution 16

I would be installing a length of GearTrac either side of the footwell, on the flat space just forwards of the side pockets. In this position there is plenty of room beneath the area for the backing plate and bolts to protrude without interference of any of the rudder control lines. The 8 Inch track uses 5 bolts for fixing, so the track was put in position and the 5 holes marked out. 

The holes are then drilled using a 4mm drill bit...

The GearTrac and FullBack backing plate were then subject to a good smearing of Marine Goop adhesive/sealant to ensure a strong and waterproof fitting. 

Then it is just a case of placing the track back over the holes, reaching inside the centre hatch and positioning the backing plate on the other side of the hull and screwing the bolts down into it until it a solid fix is achieved. Any excess sealant can be smoothed down using a wet finger. One 8" GearTrac GTTL90 fitted....

The same process is then applied when fitting the track to the other side of the footwell. 

Onto the front of the footwell....

There is a good amount of space for mounting accessories on the flat area around the sail mount. It makes a great spot for installing another length of GearTrac. 

Holes marked and drilled....

Plenty of Marine Goop again and the track was fitted by reaching inside the bow hatch with the backing plate. There is still plenty of space for more accessory mounts or slide tracks if needed into future too. 

Here is the FullBack backing plate, lagged in Goop and fitted against the hull in behind the sail mount. A strong and waterproof fitting. 

All 3 sections of GearTrac fitted.... Simple, easy and tidy! 

The GearTrac GTTL90 can be used with the YakAttack Screw Balls and Ram Mount Quick Release Track Mounts for the mounting of Ram Mount gear, the Scotty Gear Head Adaptor for the mounting of Scotty gear and the Railblaza StarPort MiniPort for the mounting of Railblaza gear. 

I now have a versatile accessory mounting system where i can position multiple accessories, from various manufacturers, on either side and at the front of the foot well. Accessories can now easily be mounted at the start of a session, and then removed at the end, leaving behind a clutter-free  hull for transport and storage. Job done!