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Post by chrisjpainter on Jan 23, 2016 23:27:35 GMT -1
As you may have seen, I've started using the Railblaza mounting system on my yak. I love the versatility, but the attachments are criminally expensive! I have thus far only got one rod mounting on the trac on my Tarpon 120, but wanted some more in front of me and saw they made this...  The problem is it's £60 which seemed insane! especially as you then need to buy further attachments that actually go into the three ports. Then, I had an epiphany. We have an old roof rack in the garage from a Mini Mayfair when I used to carry a sport yak on that, I wondered whether I could make the above for significantly less? So, I've bought a Railblaza adjustable mount a nd I'm going to have a bash at making something similar with a few ports that I already have spare... £15  18 for two, so £33 spent... I will update as it progresses. unless I have an accident with a drill... |
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Post by chrisjpainter on Jan 24, 2016 15:17:16 GMT -1
The first job was to cut the bars to size with a jigsaw and a metal blade. They ended up being 27cm long. Originally I had intended 32cm, but after doing it, I chopped them back a bit, thinking it might be a bit too heavy! I kept the end caps to the roof bars as it gives a nice, smooth finish and protects the metal from all that water nonsense. This was then attached to the moutning with rivets.  Once done, I then attached the railblaza ports, bolting them on flush to the metal with the central hole over the gap between the two bars. I also wanted somewhere to fix a normal rod rest. I do quite a bit of course fishing from the yak, so somewhere to rest a float rod whilst trotting seemed like a useful thing, so I needed to get a 3/8" BSP nut from...somewhere and find a way of attaching it that kept the whole thing looking nice and compact without bits sticking out here and there spoiling the look. With a stroke of luck, I found that by taking a very cheap and tacky bite indicator (£3 for two) apart the screw-in thread was exactly the same length as the internal diameter of the roof bars, so I drilled in a couple of holes either side of the middle port and riveted them on.  All told this is the final result...  I am actually pretty chuffed with how it came out. The original one has sliding attachments, which mine doesn't, but I'm not sure I'll miss that too much. There didn't seem too much room to slide them anyway and having the screw in holes is a big advantage for me. Good way to spend a weekend and managed to limit myself to just one burn and a nice slice across my finger. Happy days |
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Post by philpot on Jan 25, 2016 7:19:35 GMT -1
Excellent work, some of these items are a total rip off, good but still a rip off. I have made a number of items for both my kayaks and boats because I was not prepared to pay the price of the manufacturer.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Phil
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esoxuk
valued Member
Posts: 61
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Post by esoxuk on Feb 22, 2016 13:50:46 GMT -1
Excellent work, some of these items are a total rip off, good but still a rip off. I have made a number of items for both my kayaks and boats because I was not prepared to pay the price of the manufacturer. Where there is a will,( or a tight Yorkshireman) there is a way. Phil |
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Post by chrisjpainter on Mar 16, 2016 16:43:09 GMT -1
The finished look. Partial as I am to some lure fishing, I thought I'd had some eyes to hang the lures on - another feature not there on the Railblaza one! Not too shabby. It's a shame the river fishing was a bit of a dead loss this winter. Too much colour for a lot of the season!  |
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Post by philpot on Mar 17, 2016 7:05:06 GMT -1
Good job Chris, don't you love it when a plan comes together.
Phil
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£15 
18 for two, so £33 spent... I will update as it progresses. unless I have an accident with a drill...
