Buying specialized fishing equipment is often expensive, especially when it comes to small but important accessories such as tackle fixtures. rod-holder for a PVC boat himself Not only is it a way to save money, but it also allows you to create a perfectly ergonomic solution that is tailored to your boating model and fishing style. Finished products often have versatile, but not always comfortable, mounts that can interfere with the movement of the cockpit or conflict with the location of inflatable tubes.
The homemade design allows you to take into account all the nuances from the thickness of the side to the angle of inclination necessary for trolling or sheer glitter. Using available materials, such as PVC pipes or durable plastic, ensures that the accessory does not rust or damage the delicate surface of the inflatable floor. In this article, we will discuss proven methods for creating reliable fasteners that will withstand the snatch of large fish and will not fail at the most critical moment.
Selection of suitable materials and tools
The basis of the durability of a homemade holder lies in the right choice of raw materials. Since the product will be in constant contact with water, sun and possibly aggressive fishing chemicals, the metal must be eliminated or carefully processed. PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is easy to process, does not rot and is sufficiently rigid. fiberglass Special composite materials used in shipbuilding.
You'll need the minimum toolkit that any home craftsman can have to work with, and the key is to ensure the accuracy of the cuts and the reliability of the joints, because the safety of the gear and the boat depends on it, and you shouldn't neglect the quality of the adhesives if you want them to be used.
- ๐ ๏ธ Tools: a hacksaw on metal or a pipe cutter, a construction hair dryer (for flexible plastic), a drill with a set of drills, sandpaper of different grains.
- ๐งช Consumables: glue for PVC (cold welding or special composition), degreasing, epoxy resin (if you plan to stick in the side).
- ๐ In addition: marker, roulette, a square for marking right angles.
โ ๏ธ Attention: When working with PVC glue and epoxy resins, be sure to use a respirator and gloves. solvent vapors are toxic, and getting glue on the skin can cause a chemical burn or a severe allergic reaction.
If you plan to do a rotary mechanism, you may also need furniture bolts and stainless steel nuts of the brand. AISI 316The rust of a regular fastener will rust in one season, leaving ugly streams on the sides of your boat.
Design of the structure: types of holders
Before cutting materials, you need to decide on the type of design. For inflatable boats, it is critical to minimize the amount of rigid elements that can damage cylinders when moving a load or while catching fish. There are several popular options, each of which has its own advantages.
The simplest option is glass-typeThis is a tube that puts the spinning handle in, and it can be fixed or removable. pivot-holderThis is a tool that allows you to change the angle of attack of the gear without rearranging the entire rod, and trolling often uses reinforced structures that can lock the coil.
When designing, it's important to consider the diameter of the handles on your gear. Standard spinning handles are different thicknesses, so the inner diameter of the holder pipe should be matched with a margin or equipped with a rubber seal, and you should also consider a water drainage system so that moisture does not accumulate inside the glass, causing corrosion of the rod rings.
- ๐ฃ Classic glass: vertical pipe glued into floorboards or fixed to a stringer.
- ๐ Turning bracket: allows you to rotate the rod around the axis, convenient for maneuvering.
- ๐ Holder with clamping: securely holds the handle, excluding loss with strong pitching.
The type of fish you choose depends on how you fish. For sea fishing with frequent overcasts, a lightweight removable structure that can be quickly dismantled is better suited. For static fishing in pits, maximum fixation reliability is a priority.
Step by step: making a glass of PVC pipe
The most common and easy to manufacture is a holder in the form of a glass of sewer pipe with a diameter of 50 mm. Such a pipe is ideal for most spinning handles and costs a penny. The manufacturing process does not require complex drawings, but requires accuracy.
First, you cut off a piece of pipe about 15-20 cm long, one edge should be treated so that it does not scratch the tackle, you can use a construction hair dryer: heat the edge of the pipe and slightly flatten it, or, conversely, expand it to smooth out the sharp edges. Alternatively, stick a rubber gasket inside from a bicycle chamber or a special seal.
โ๏ธ Checklist of glass manufacture
The bottom of the glass should be closed, and a circle of the same PVC or dense plywood (if protected from water) is cut out, and a hole 5-10 mm in diameter is drilled in the center of the circle to drain water. crucialIf the water stagnates inside, in winter it will freeze and expand the pipe, and in summer it will become a breeding ground for bacteria and the smell of tin.
Mounting the glass to the boat is the most important step. If you don't want to glue the elements dead, you can use a sling system or a mount to existing mounts. However, for rigid fixation, you often use a base pad. It can be cut out of a piece of plastic 4-5 mm thick, and the boat is attached to such a pad through regular shackle belts or specially sewn pockets.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Never drill holes in the boat's inflatable tubes to install holders! This will break the tightness and cause loss of buoyancy. Use only external fastening methods or regular structural elements.
To reinforce the structure, you can insert a wooden or plastic core inside the pipe, leaving only the necessary space for the handle, which will prevent the pipe from deforming under load if the large fish pulls the gear down or sideways.
Installation and fastening to the elements of the boat
Installation of the finished product on the boat requires careful preparation of the place. PVC surface must be clean, dry and fat-free. If you use adhesive bases (Velcro straps or special adhesive areas), the air temperature should be higher. +15ยฐCOtherwise, the adhesion will be weak.
A popular method is to attach to slab-stove Or to the hard floor (floorboards) if it protrudes beyond the inflatable tubes, in the latter case, you can use rods or bolts that pass through the holes in the plywood of the floor, but do not touch the boat itself, which provides a rigidity comparable to metal counterparts.
| Type of attachment | Pluses | Cons | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| On glue (PVC glue) | Maximum reliability, tightness | Impossible to remove without damage | For a permanent fishing spot |
| On Velcro. | Mobility, easy to remove | Risk of unfettering in heat/cold | For light tackles |
| Mechanical (slings) | Safe for cylinders, universally | Less rigid fixation | For temporary use |
| To the paiolas (bolts) | Very secure, will hold the trophy. | Requires a hard gender | For trolling and heavy tackle |
Before you finally fix it with adhesives, make sure you do "a sample fishing." Attach the holder temporarily and check if it's not interfering with rowing, getting into a boat or getting out the pads.
If you choose mechanical strap attachment, use wide fastex slings. Narrow ropes can cut under load or damage the boat's fabric when frictioned. Knots must be tightened tightly but without fanaticism to avoid deforming the cylinders.
Protection against corrosion and care of the product
Even plastics and composites require care, especially in saltwater or muddy rivers. The main enemy of homemade holders is sand and fine mud, which stuff inwards and act as an abrasive, scratching the rod's lacquer coating. Regularly washing with fresh water after each fishing trip will prolong the life of both the holder and your gear.
If the construction uses metal elements (bolts, nuts, washers), they must be checked after each release to the water. stainless steel It can be subject to point corrosion in an aggressive environment, and lubricating threaded joints with silicone lubrication or graphite composition will prevent the parts from sticking together.
- ๐ง Washing: Rinse the holder with fresh water to wash off the salt and silt.
- โ๏ธ Drying: Keep the boat and accessories straightened and dry to avoid mold.
- ๐ง Check: Once a season, check the integrity of the adhesive seams and tightening of the bolts.
Do not leave rods in the holders for a long time when the boat is on the shore in the sun. Plastic can soften from the heat, and under the weight of heavy gear, the structure can deform, losing its functionality.
Refinement and tuning of the design
The basic design is just the beginning, and experienced anglers often modify their homemade products by adding functional elements, such as integrating a trivia organizer or a sonar mount into a cockpit, which allows you to compactly fit everything you need in a boat cockpit.
One of the things that's useful is to add a soft case inside the glass, and you can use a piece of thick sponge or foamed polyethylene that sticks to the inner walls, and not only will it protect the handle of the rod from scratch, but it will also allow for tighter fixation of the rods with thin handles.
An idea for advanced
Backlit holder: At night, finding a rod in the dark can be difficult, so you can put a small LED on the top of the holder, or connect it to the boat's battery via a resistor, which will help you quickly navigate when you bite at night.
Also, you should think about color coding. If you make multiple holders for different gear (for example, for spinning, for quoc stick, for cage), paint them in different colors or apply labels. This will eliminate confusion, especially if there are several people on the boat.
โ ๏ธ Attention: When tuning, do not overweight the structure. Excess weight on the sides reduces the stability of the PVC boat, which is especially dangerous when going on a wave or when a fisherman moves abruptly.
Creatively, you can turn a utilitarian object into a convenient tool that increases the comfort of fishing. Experiment with shapes, but always put the safety and security of your inflatable boat at the top of your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a metal pipe for a holder on a PVC boat?
You can use metal, but only if you do. stainless steel Or aluminum with a high-quality anodized coating, and conventional steel will rust quickly, and the rust will spoil the fabric of the boat and the clothes, and the metal is heavier than plastic and can heat up more in the sun, which is undesirable for the handles of rods.
What diameter of the pipe is optimal for spinning rods?
The most universal diameter is considered to be 50 mm It's suitable for most handles, and if you use a specific gear with very thick clumps (for example, for sea fishing), you can use a pipe. 63 mm or 75 mmBut then you need an internal sealer.
Will the PVC glue damage the fabric of the boat during installation?
Specialized PVC adhesive (often two-component polyurethane-based) is specifically designed to glue the fabrics of boats and pipes, but it must be applied carefully, strictly according to instructions. Aggressive solvents (such as acetone in its pure form) can damage the fabric, so use only recommended formulations.
How do you make the holder removable?
To do this, use the dad-mama system, the base with the back end is attached to the boat (on glue or bolts to the floorboards), and the glass itself has a pin that is inserted into the base, you can fix it with a spring or simple friction if you land tightly, and powerful Velcro fasteners are also popular.
Will the homemade holder withstand the large fish?
Yes, if it's made of a thick wall pipe and it's securely attached, PVC plastic is very hard on the fracture, the main weakness is the mounting position to the boat, so the base should be wide and attached to the rigid elements or through wide slings that distribute the load.
The main secret of success is not in the complexity of the design, but in the reliability of the attachment and the absence of sharp edges that can damage the boat or tackle.