AI/TI Rod Holders

Now that I am part of the "Darker" Dark Side I realized there now needs to be a new set of mods. Specifically the rod holders in the tank well. The factory ones are not in the best place for the mainsheet (the line that controls the sail). When you have sail all the way out it slaps the rod and unless secured you run the risk of pulling one out. Apparently some have already discovered this design "flaw" (something I want to avoid). Additionally, I'd like to be able to face the rod tips fwd so I can see them from the corner of my eye when I troll (something I liked about Chucks set up)

One thing that I have been striving to do is minimize the amount of "stuff" I take out for salt water fishing (which is my primary focus). For the last two years I have been happily running with just two rods.

While I like RAM mounts it requires some additional securing so I decided to give scotty's a shot (and I had a few parts laying around, shocking huh!) So here is what I came up with
 
This is per side.....I got it all at HD and Amazon
- 1 1/4 inch PVC for the main "shaft" (8 feet for $4.76). You could make 3 sets with 8 feet.
- 1 1/4 inch coupler ($.66) to join the head to the shaft (oh, that sounds bad)
- 1 1/4 inch female adapter ($.96) Its the one that is half threaded and have slip fit (glue)
- Scotty compact head (part 444) Amazon had them for ($4.39 with Prime Shipping)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001M4HT7K/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
- Any scotty rod holder you want.....I had two I used on my PB

So here is what I did....

1. Cut the shaft to the desired length. The pic has them at 9 inches. But I will cut a new set to 12-14 inch for added clearance. With a few wraps of duct or electrical tape its a snug fit. I am also going to add a small screw with a loop of nylon webbing so I can secure the entire mount to the boat AND eliminate and chance of it spinning in the holder

2. I found that the threads to the scotty mount are a perfect match to the female adapter. The only issue is the threaded part of the scotty mount is a bit long. I took my dremel and sanded off the bottom rim on the treads of the PVC adapter and with a little heat from a heat gun applied to the PVC adapter the scotty mount will tap and thread through the PVC. You can then crank the scotty head down until it bottoms out.

3. Glue the head piece to the coupler and the coupler to the shaft. Drop it in the stock holder and TA DA!

I need to actually use them in the real world....But so far it looks promising (at the very least it was a cheap experiment/failure! Once I make all the mods I will post up the final version.

For less then $20 bucks (minus the scotty rod holder of your choice) you have two useful mounts for the AI/TI

Eric that did not take to long, it took me about 2 weeks of thinking, staring, drawing then cutting one out of a chuck of wood to come up with something keep up the good work the more mods the better .

PatR

hahaha. I have made some extensions for the Revo and seeing your mounts gave me the idea. I am going to paint them up black so they look a bit more finished...Oh and I got you mount today man that was fast....the check is heading your way as I type.

Pretty slick there Eric! That's a good trick tnreading the compact mounts in the female adaptor, I'm sure I can find a reason to do that somewhere 

Pretty slick there Eric! That's a good trick tnreading the compact mounts in the female adaptor, I'm sure I can find a reason to do that somewhere 

they will work on a revo my friend.....