Hack for slipping Ram mounts

I know a lot of people have Ram ball mounts and if you are like me after a while they start to slip even if you tighten them down all the way.  I hate it when my ff flops down after landing a fish.

I only use them for GPS and Fish Finder but I found a way to tighten them up effectively.  Though temporary, this simple hack is cheap so you can replace it as needed.

Line the balls with one or maybe two layers of thin rubber from the fingers of rubber gloves.  I have nitrile gloves I use for various things and just slip the thumb over the balls and cut off the rest.  You can use two layers if you want but make sure there is no moisture between the two or it can increase slippage.  I used one layer on each ball and had good results for 5 trips before they tore and had to be replaced.  I am sure other types of gloves like latex would work too.  Maybe thicker would be good too.

Fish on!

Good idea. What about a section of bicycle inner tube -- it might be a little more durable. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Brad

I use 1.5 Ram balls and don't have slippage problems.  I went the 1.5 size because I have a 7 inch FF for my bad eyesight .

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=60292.0

Or you can sand your balls. 

Old thread: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17650.15

Or you can sand your balls. 

Old thread: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17650.15

Ouch!

maybe try dipping the ball in plastidip from the hardware stores.

I know when a bearing race slips you take a punch and punch around inside where the race sits. The dimple will raise areas and the race will stay put. If you figure what part is worn something like this might work. 

Or you can sand your balls. 

Old thread: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17650.15

I've tried this, as well as cutting groves into the plastic arm where it contacts with the ball.  Nothing has been able to make me trust those rod holders again.  Which reminds me, I have a few RAM Rodholders for sale 

Or you can sand your balls. 

Old thread: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17650.15

I've tried this, as well as cutting groves into the plastic arm where it contacts with the ball.  Nothing has been able to make me trust those rod holders again.  Which reminds me, I have a few RAM Rodholders for sale 

yeah, I got mine for WSB drifting, and am replacing them this winter with scotty mounts. I even tried the all metal rod holder, but they just don't stay put.
I love the tube style holders, but the RAM balls suck for rod holder applications where 50# fish might take it while deadsticking.

I LOVE my ram tubes, but not until I came up with a fix. I use two of them on my revo that are mounted behind the seat on both sides right where there is a triangle on the deck. When they are facing in the "fishing position" they are right at the end of my arms like extensions immediately available. They also make perfect arm rests.   When I first got them I over tightened one and actually stripped one of the handles. So I came up with a solution. How do you have a solid trustworthy rod holder that doesn't have to be tightened like a vise? You put a fulcrum under it. My first generation "fulcrum" was a simple 2-3" section of 1 1/4" PVC with a self sticking piece of velco on it to keep it in place. After loosing a couple in the drink, I started stuffing the center with pool noodle so they would float. Now I use the same size PVC, but glued a T onto it to provide a rear stop. the tube sits right in the crotch of the T, and is rock solid to anything pulling down and or back. the beauty is I can have my ram tube loose enough to lift it with out having to turn the handle. Say if I want to lift it around an obstacle or put it up out of the way for some extended paddling. The key to the system is I attach the PVC to the boat with a key hole system. I have a permanent mounted SS bolt in the boat hull that sticks up just enough to clear the pipe, and become snug when I slide the pipe into position. The PVC has a keyhole cut in it to receive the bolt. It's absolutely solid! When my rods are in the "deployed" position I look like a mini troller. I had the fish and game come racing onver to me one time through a crowd of boats salmon fishing up at Albion. I'm sure they thought I was fishing two rods.  Only one line was in the water of course. Oh, and I also drilled out each rod tube and put on a small loop of 1/8" bungie cord to loop over the reel to keep it from disappearing unexpectedly. I use them like my seatbelt. Everytime! Ever since I accidentally knocked one of my rods out of the rear holder and watched it sink into the abyss, I came up with my "seatbelts". I hate leashes.

I tried alcohol, sandpaper, nope. Sold em. I went with the Scotty rocket launchers with slip disc, much better.

Mike

I installed RailBlaza on my Hobie AI because they make a mount that perfectly fits the crossbars.  They work well.

I think I'm envisioning  your fix JonesZ's, but pics would help a lot.

Last time I tried to post a pic it wouldn't take. All it kept doing was put the sight into a stall, and wouldn't post. I'm using a mac. If anyone can suggest how to resize the photos with a mac I'd appreciate it. I'm assuming the problem is too large of a file. Then I'd be happy to post up for ya. I take pics with my iPhone nowa days. My camera used a program that allowed me to resize, but when I look at the menus on the mac I can't find anything about resizing...?

See if this helps jonesz: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2013/10/19/how-to-resize-multiple-images-mac/  Or you can email the pics to me and I'll re-size for ya