12-25-2003, 05:11 PM
[cool][size 1]The holidays gave me some time to finish putting together my first attempt at a horizontal rod rack. Took some cutting, fitting, "Dremelizing" and rethinking, but I came out with something I am sure will be more workable for lots of tubers and tooners.[/size]
[size 1]One pleasant surprise is that the total rack...with rope, cord, glue and everything...came out to only 2.2 pounds. that is better than the extra pound plus of the four tube vertical rack I have been using.[/size]
[size 1]I think I will also like not having vertical rods to interfere with hooksets...or backcasts when waving a flyrod. On almost every trip with the vertical rod holders I find myself untangling the result of a lure that comes zinging back towards me (and the rods)...as a result of a missed strike...or a fish getting off.[/size]
[size 1]Also, in the heat of battle, or trying to change rods quickly to reach boiling fish, the flat rack will be easier to both extract a rod or to lay one down. This minimizes the potential of missing the vertical holder and watching a rod sink into the depths.[/size]
[size 1]My first experiment included adding rings of soft foam insulation rings...used to insulate pipes against freezing. These hold the rods and handles snugly and protectively, but tear loose too easy. They would need regular maintenance or replacement.[/size]
[size 1]My final means of holding the rods securely on the horizontal model was to attach partial rings of PVC pipe...larger for the handles and smaller for the rod part...1 1/4" and 1/2" PVC. When they are screwed down with 1/2" machine screws they fit tightly, but can be epoxied or PVC glued for added stability.[/size]
[size 1]I added a length of stretch cord at the end that holds the handles. It can be looped up over all rods...or individual ones. This is a good feature to prevent loss during rough water launching or beaching.[/size]
[size 1]I tried the holders with fly rods, ultralight and heavy spinning and with baitcasting. It works for any kind of rod and reel setup.[/size]
[size 1]After playing around with this new model, I feel that I could reduce both the size and weight by eliminating the cross bars...or by having only one cross bar at the outside edge. The weight of the system vs the weight of the rods to be supported is not a great ratio.[/size]
[size 1]This system used 4 T's and 6 elbows...plus about six feet of 1/2" schedule 40 PVC. total expense...including nylon rope and stretch cord will be less than six dollars.[/size]
[signature]
[size 1]One pleasant surprise is that the total rack...with rope, cord, glue and everything...came out to only 2.2 pounds. that is better than the extra pound plus of the four tube vertical rack I have been using.[/size]
[size 1]I think I will also like not having vertical rods to interfere with hooksets...or backcasts when waving a flyrod. On almost every trip with the vertical rod holders I find myself untangling the result of a lure that comes zinging back towards me (and the rods)...as a result of a missed strike...or a fish getting off.[/size]
[size 1]Also, in the heat of battle, or trying to change rods quickly to reach boiling fish, the flat rack will be easier to both extract a rod or to lay one down. This minimizes the potential of missing the vertical holder and watching a rod sink into the depths.[/size]
[size 1]My first experiment included adding rings of soft foam insulation rings...used to insulate pipes against freezing. These hold the rods and handles snugly and protectively, but tear loose too easy. They would need regular maintenance or replacement.[/size]
[size 1]My final means of holding the rods securely on the horizontal model was to attach partial rings of PVC pipe...larger for the handles and smaller for the rod part...1 1/4" and 1/2" PVC. When they are screwed down with 1/2" machine screws they fit tightly, but can be epoxied or PVC glued for added stability.[/size]
[size 1]I added a length of stretch cord at the end that holds the handles. It can be looped up over all rods...or individual ones. This is a good feature to prevent loss during rough water launching or beaching.[/size]
[size 1]I tried the holders with fly rods, ultralight and heavy spinning and with baitcasting. It works for any kind of rod and reel setup.[/size]
[size 1]After playing around with this new model, I feel that I could reduce both the size and weight by eliminating the cross bars...or by having only one cross bar at the outside edge. The weight of the system vs the weight of the rods to be supported is not a great ratio.[/size]
[size 1]This system used 4 T's and 6 elbows...plus about six feet of 1/2" schedule 40 PVC. total expense...including nylon rope and stretch cord will be less than six dollars.[/size]
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