"Floating FF/Rod Holder for P15

I didn't get out fishing as much this summer for various reasons so I had time to transfer some ideas from my Tarpon 140 to my new P15.

I liked the way my 1st generation rotor put my Rods and FF close to me but it was awkward to rotate out of the way and markedly disoriented the rods when rotated.  I wanted to improve on the basic idea and address these considerations:

Keep the weight down

Put the FF and rods within close proximity but minimize interference with the FF and Rods especially if two rods are used

Allow maximum flexibility for orienting the rods and FF so as to accommodate rods at all angles and of varying but lengths.

Keep the FF and rods within the "magic triangle" with its apex just in front of your crotch and the arms extending toward the front corners of the cockpit.  This puts the rod buts close to your hand, makes the FF easy to read and avoids interfering with your paddle strokes.

Be able to easily push the whole assembly forward when you need to "clear the decks" and have the rods maintain proper orientation whether the rotor is forward or back.

My solution was creating a double "T Track" that lets the lower track slide the rotor forward and back without interfering with the rod sliders using the top track.  The FF can be oriented either to the side, nestled in the angle created by the rod butts, or it can be centered directly in front of you. Since the cockpit of the P15 necessitated that the rotor arm be about 6-8 inches longer than my Tarpon 140, I needed to reinforce the base for the rotor mount with a carbon fiber shell.  The sliders were made from carbon fiber as well with an aluminum core to give enough structural strength to hold the RAM balls.  I debated on whether to use the Scotty holders I had or go to RAM holders.  I decided on the latter because, unlike the Scottys which rotated around center, the RAM mounts allowed the pivot to be off center allowing the rod butts to point toward center, thus staying within the "magic triangle" and minimizing interference with paddling. The trade off is the RAM assemblies are definitely heavier, even though I used the composite models instead of the standard aluminum mounts. 

The the sliders for the rotor and rod holders all have retractable, lockable spring plungers to hold their positions if needed, but there is enough tension that I think they only need locking in rougher conditions.  The rotor's rotational clamp and spring plunger for sliding it forward can both be operated with your foot so you can clear the deck easily, without having to lean forward. In the original design, rotation was a means to quickly move the assembly and rods out of the way if needed and to orient the rotor/rods far forward and away from your feet when launching and landing.. Now, with employing the T Tracks and sliders, I don't really have to rotate, so I don't know if I would incorporate this if I had to redo it. What's nice is now, when it's pulled back to me, I can still have both rods out and paddle without impediment.  If I have to paddle hard, I just push the rotor forward and my full paddle strokes are clear.  Then when I reach my spot, I just pull it back and I'm good to go.

Here's some pictures for those who like improvisation...like Duane.

Wow Doug, thats inspiring work right there! Thanks.

Just curious,
I really like the rod holder / ff mount system,
but was wondering where you got that cool  dash wrap
Is that carbon fiber? Was it custom made? Is it available for other models?
Eric

DUDE!!!  Now we know WHY you didn't have time to fish much lately.  You put some serious time in on that. 

I too would like to know the story behind the dash wrap. 

Your upgrades may be worth more than the boat... but it's all good!

EK

Wow! Marmite, great job on the modifications. You must also be a machinist.

Jedmo

dash wrap

Oh that's what it's called.  When I first got my Tarpon 140, I experimented using carbon fiber when I made a harness for my little outboard (see pic).  I molded it to the contours of the tankwell so that I wouldn't have to put any holes in the kayak to secure it.

I followed the same idea here:  First I tape up the kayak to protect the it from epoxy.  Then I layer on some glass fiber because it conforms much better than carbon fiber.  Then comes a layer of carbon fiber, a middle layer of Baltec and a finishing, final layer of carbon.  The Baltec is an expandable, lightweight glass material that promotes great rigidity when sandwiched between carbon fiber.  It's time consuming because carbon fiber is pretty rigid so it will want to lift and make potential bubbles whenever it can around contours. Since I don't have the means to vacuum mold an irregular piece of this size,  I have to "tac weld" it first with super glue.

In the end, the "dash rap" conforms closely to the kayak contours and is held in place by the same screws that hold the straps for the hatch cover and the front of the pedal supports, so no extra holes except the ones for the rotor support.

Your upgrades may be worth more than the boat

Yeh Eric, since you work with fiberglass, carbon and epoxy, you know the time and material costs are appreciable. But I've always liked to define a technical problem and then figure out it's solution.  As a kid I was always taking things apart for parts and trying to make projects I saw in Popular Mechanics.  (Almost killed my kid sister when I attached a 1/3 HP motor from our old dryer to a my baby brother's rocking horse.  I wanted to motorize it--like at the fair.  The rocker arm came around and would have smashed my sister's face in if it hadn't stopped when it gouged into my upper arm.  And then there were rockets...)  

My projects never worked because I never had the real parts I needed; only the scraps I salvaged from broken stuff.

So outfitting my kayak is sort of a hobby in itself and the working through of my childhood frustrations.

Your neighbors must think you're a bit eccentric, fishing in your swimming pool and all. If they get nosy, just look at them sternly and tell them not to spook the fish!

fishing in your swimming pool and all

That's not a pool...it's my test tank.

That carbon fiber dash thing is NUTS! Insane work!!

Z

Wow, that's really nice work.

I'm just learning how to weld up tears in swimbaits with a lighter  .

Hey Marmite, interested to know what's up with the center hatch. It looks like it's extended up on a plexiglas base. What is it? A livewell for bait?

Z

That's another post Z
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,15233.msg144660.html#msg144660

Thanks Mc!

fishing in your swimming pool and all

That's not a pool...it's my test tank.

 

Doug -

This is soooooo over-the-top I am speachless.  Looks like competition for the batmobile.

Scott