MOUNTS SPECIFICATIONS
FEATURES
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5-star stability
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Mount hinges up and out of the way during kayak entry and exit
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Plastic compression nuts are used to adjust the bars to varying cockpit lengths and widths
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The track enables the support post to slide for ideal positioning
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Quick-release side brackets for safety
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Pull pin to remove mount or move to another kayak
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Includes optional gaskets for fitting hinge plate and side brackets
RECOMMENDED KAYAK SPECS
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Works with sit-inside kayaks
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Cockpit width between 18 – 26"
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Cockpit length* between 36 - 48" (est)
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1-2" mostly flat front coaming or deck
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1" mostly flat coaming on sides of cockpit
*An extension bar is available for longer cockpits
ATTACHMENT METHOD
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6-8 small drill holes around coaming for installation
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Mount is easily removeable; hinge plate and two side brackets remain
FEATURES
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3.5-star stability
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Standard* bundle includes Apex Mount, four sticky suction cups with knobs, and support post
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Also works with other attachment methods
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Ability to add a RAM Rod Flat Surface Base and Spline or related accessories
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Easily moves from kayak to kayak
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Most attachment methods do not require drilling
RECOMMENDED KAYAK SPECS
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Ultra-high grip, proprietary suction cups for textured surfaces and attachment knobs (all kayak styles)
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Two parallel tracks with t-nuts and attachment knobs; requires drilling (best for sit-on-tops)
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1-inch tie down straps (best for SUPs)
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D-ring patches and 1-inch tie down straps (best for inflatables)
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Weighted DIY methods (e.g., tape, sandbag, legs)
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Works with sit-inside, sit-on-top, SUP, fishing and foldable kayaks
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Mostly flat* floor or deck area directly in front of the seat, measuring at least 9 x 12”
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For sit-inside and foldable kayaks, a deck height of roughly 14-15” is ideal
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For sit-on-tops, both molded, deck-level seats or fishing or other kayaks with raised seats of roughly 2 –6”
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A standard support post of 12" comes with the Apex Mount. If this is too tall for your kayak, you can cut it down to size or contact us to swap for a different length
*Additional options exist to accommodate many, but not all, surface configurations. Substitute parts available, including tracks, base styles and support post heights. Prices may vary.
FEATURES
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4-star stability
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Standard* bundle includes two 3” RAM Tough-Tracks (5” with end caps), a RAM Mounts Dual T-Bolt Track Base for Spline Posts, and a support post
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Track base slides on tracks, enabling ideal positioning of the support post
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Easy to remove when not in use, all that remains are the two tracks
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Ability to upgrade to a longer RAM Tough-Tracks
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Ability to upgrade to a RAM Universal Adapt-a-Post Dual T-Bolt Track Base
RECOMMENDED KAYAK SPECS
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Works with sit-on-top, SOT angling kayaks and SUPs
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Mostly flat deck directly in front of seat to place two tracks of 3” or more in length exactly* 3.5” apart (or 3.75” apart if alternate RAM track base used)
ATTACHMENT METHOD
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Two sets of 3-4 drill holes for “blind” installations when there is no access to the inside of the kayak
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Use self-tapping screws or well-nuts and screws to secure the tracks, or (optionally) your own rivets
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When installed over a hatch cover, or when inside access is available, regular screws and nuts can be used
*Our standard base is 3.5" wide, but we also have a base available that's 3.75" wide. The distance between the tracks can be smaller if the tracks are offset and base is secured diagonally.
FEATURES
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3/4-star stability
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Ideal for small, flat spaces when our other mounts won't fit
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Multiple RAM Mounts base mount options available
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Ability to mix and match components (e.g., custom support post length)
RECOMMENDED KAYAK SPECS
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Works with sit-on-top kayaks and some SUPs
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Mostly flat deck directly in front of seat of as little as 2x4 inches that is arms' distance away
ATTACHMENT METHOD
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Generally four drill holes for “blind” installations when there is no access to the inside of the kayak
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Use self-tapping screws or well-nuts and screws to secure, or (optionally) your own rivets
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When installed over a hatch cover or when inside access is available, regular screws and nuts can be used
Proprietary Suction Cups
(aka Sticky Cups)
These aren’t your ordinary suction cups! These patented beauties stick to just about any non-porous surface – including textured kayak surfaces – and stay in place!
Designed with specialized double-cup armature, interior micro-channels and a proprietary, pressure-sensitive polymer seal, our suction cups adhere to your kayak and don’t let go! Place them on or around molded obstructions, slip them through the four corners of the Apex Mount, and use the knobs to tighten it down. Remove them if needed, clean them, and use again.
Our standard Apex Mount comes with four sticky cups, so there's no need to purchase them separately. Watch the installation video.
Tracks
For a more secure installation method, affix two 9" RAM Tough-Tracks to the top of your SOT or SUP deck (sold separately.) Space them either 3.5" or 3.75" apart (depending on the orientation of the mount) to correspond to the four corner slots in the Apex Mount. Slide two t-nuts into each track and guide them up through the slots, then attach the knobs. Please measure carefully before ordering to ensure the tracks will fit your kayak.
Since most SOTs don’t give you access to the inside of the kayak, you’ll install the tracks using one of several “blind installation" methods, such as self-tapping screws, well-nuts and screws or rivets. In other cases, you may install the tracks directly on a hatch cover with regular screws and nuts. This method still gives you access to the hatch well if you need it.
Tie Down Straps
Designed with SUPs in mind, the Apex Mount has two windows on each side through which you can feed a tie down strap. Simply put the strap through the windows, tighten it as much as possible (leaving the ratchet on top of the SUP to minimize drag), and you’re ready to go! The straps are sold separately.
Apex Mount Attachment Options
There are multiple ways to attach our Apex Mount to your kayak or SUP. Here are the most common ones.
D-Ring Patches & Straps
For some inflatable kayaks, a combination of D-ring patches and tie down straps may do the trick! The D-ring patches are affixed low and on each inside edge just in front of the seating area, then the tie down straps are fed through both windows of the Apex Mount and tightened as much as possible. Note: D-ring patches (sold separately) should be made from material that is compatible with your kayak's fabrication to ensure maximum adhesion.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that by their very nature, inflatable kayaks are very pliable and lack a rigid floor. They will also require a tall support post for proper paddle height. As a result, the overall stability of the Apex Mount will be considerably diminished with significant side-to-side swaying of the support post. This is not a recommended installation, but it is available for those who need it.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Methods
When other methods don’t work, you can use your own ingenuity to secure the Apex Mount. Possible options include using heavy-duty tape on the edges of the mount, placing weighted objects (such as small bags of sand) on the corners, or using your legs to keep it in place while paddling.
Custom Methods
For paddlers with who are willing to engineer their own mounts to work with our products, the sky is the limit. One possible method, primarily for sit-ins or SUPS, is to secure the Apex Mount to removable base, such as a rectangular piece of solid wood or heavy plastic. Using the right shape to conform to your kayak floor, the base can then be moved in and out of the kayak as needed. See our blog for additional examples of other DIY mounts our customers have created.