Side mount rod holder install.

[Surfingant]

Hey folks, with a few dramas with broken rods and a less than ideal rod holder situation on the yak I thought I'd go about something a bit stronger and more permanent. This is a pretty common mod but I've done it a little differently.

These are the original holders on a tempo, not an ideal location or angle. These need to be removed.

I decided to use U-bolts to hold the butt of the rod in place, as you can see they would not fit in the hole left behind by the rod tubes.

An easy fix with a 8mm drill bit.

Once that was done I marked out a template from the top of the rod tube, making it a little wider to accommodate the U-bolt.

I trial fitted it in place using the original rod tube screws and drilled the holes to allow for the U-bolt to pass through.

I removed the ply plate and attached the U-bolt using nyloc nuts on the underside (I didn't realise I'd made a mistake here :blush: )

Plywood plate and U-bolt fitted in place with a bit of silicone to help.

From there I set about installing the front pvc tube to hold the tip of the rod, I used spring toggles as I wanted it to be solid enough to handle a good whack.

I drilled 2 holes through the 25mm pvc tube at each end, one big enough to pass the head of the bolt and a screwdriver through, the other just big enough for the thread. I then threaded the spring toggle on and installed them into 10mm holes.

With some more silicone in the holes I then proceeded to tighten the screws down, holding the tube out so the toggle was always hard up against the inside of the hull.

Once tightened down it's job done :cheer: These holders are solid enough to pick the kayak up with so I'm sure they'll handle a decent knock while keeping the rods safe and sound.

The mistake I made installing the first U-bolt was I forgot to put a couple of nuts on first to stop the bolt sliding in, no biggy but I'll probably fix it up one day.

2 rods sitting in position.

You can see the tip of a 7'2" rod just protrudes, not a big deal as I don't use a rod of that length in tight country. My shorter rods sit completely inside the tubes keeping the tips safe.

So there you go, less than $30 in materials and the rods are much safer in their new home.

Cheers,

Ant

[Binder]

How exposed are the reels to wash? Or not an issue where you'll use them?

I usually only fish with one rod, so it gets laid in my lap in tiger country, but what you have done should keep yours pretty safe!

[Surfingant]

Not really an issue most of the time, the handles get a regular dunking but the only time the reels get dunked are when I'm in a fair bit of chop. I have been holding the rods there for some time now this is just a more permanent and safer solution. I wash them after every trip in the rustwater anyway, and they get regular servicing as well so it isn't really an issue. I generally only use one rod in tight country as well but for those times when I think I may want/need another and for tournaments this is ideal

[sunnydays]

Awesome mate I like it!

Much cheaper than getting a PA!

[Keen-as-fisho]

Cool, however I think I would prefer a PA Just watch those butterfly nuts ay, they have a tendency to rust fairly quick.

[Surfingant]

Cool, however I think I would prefer a PA Just watch those butterfly nuts ay, they have a tendency to rust fairly quick.

PA's are so common

Yeah, easy enough to just put some new ones in when they rust out. They're not expensive and it's not like the whole thing will have to be redone, only 10 minutes work.

[neal82]

you can get galv ones anyway, they should last a little longer

[Surfingant]

I didn't see the gal ones, maybe I should look a bit harder next time

[neal82]

might not sell them at bunnings/masters, i haven't looked. but i have seen them and used them.