Ping pong balls cut in half then stacked on top of each other? Actually - same thing with the squash balls might be better in the long run. Should be easier to get the length you want that way rather than whole balls.I tried putting in two squash balls one was not enough and two raises it too much
LOL- we're starting to sound like the fishing equivalent to that 'bush mechanics' series ABC did a few years back where they were stuffing spinifex into flat tyres etc.
Shove a piece of plumbing pipe down the rod holder, leaving it 50mm above the top. Next shove a piece 150mm long with a bigger diameter over the top. Glue the 2 pipes, not the rod holder, cut a slot into the bigger piece for your reel and Bob's your uncle.
Here is what I have ben trying to achieve just with a little less effort.
Mark
Nice work mark, looks perfect. Pretty common issue lots of guys want to fix with flushmounts and their threadline reels...light threadline gear the rod butts seem to be getting shorter and shorter over the yrs with thinner butts, and the flushmount holders become near useless.
So for the benefit of everyone else what diam was the tube u used ? is it removeable ? do u remember what it is, pvc ?? Did you end up cutting a slot to fit into the gimbal bar at bottom of holder or maybe glue them in ?
I originally went to plumbers supplies/hardwares/elect wholesalers etc and couldnt find anything around that 45mmOD to fit snug in a std flushmount. This is how the 3mm wall acrylic sleeving described above looked when measuring up before cutting and banging in...plus another pic of a holder sleeved with same stuff. Certainly makes the avge rod sit so much better and stable...especially the ones without gimbals. Same deal cutting slots for the reel stems at top.
X 2. i have had those plastic holders shatter when hit by big critters (probably sharks) on the anchor and have a mate who has had the same thing happen - go metal.Originally Posted by Greg P
fishing's as simple as 3 P's - patience, perserverance and PLASTIC!
How about making your own rod holders from scratch?
It wouldn't take too much to do, a length of alloy pipe you could cut to the right length and a bit of plate to mount it on. Once you have them all marked out then just run it down to your local welder and get them to stick the bits together.
Cost wise I don't think it would be much more then buying stainless rod holders and then buying the right size pvc pipe for them. You could paint them whatever colour you like and at least you wont have to worry about them getting broken.
OK initially my post explained that I was unable to fined any tube to fit snuggly but slide in and out of my rod holders in already installed in my boat. So what I purchased was PVC 40mm which is about 43mm outside diameter just starts in the top of the rod holder but wont go in. I persisted by sanding down the outside until it fitted well almost. What I have found with all plastic style rod holders is they have a bump about half way down either by poorly aligned injection mould die's or they are in fact slightly smaller diameter in the lower half. Back to my PVC it easily fits in to a depth of about half way into the rod holder, very secure when fitted but quit easy to put in or pull out as required. Because I fish with different rods and reels from trip to trip if I want the riser I can just grab it from the side pocket and slip it in or leave it out as needed. I cut and sanded the slots to suit the average spin reel foot and the rod and reel combo sits well in it. As for the strength or weakness if I have a rod in a holder I always have the drag backed off. I cant see an issue moving around from spot to spot with the rod in the riser as it is now more secure than before and the reel base is not bumping around on my gunnel damaging the reel or the paint work. I guess these could be made from alloy tube and would be very strong if were, but this does the job for me at the moment.
Mark
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