Rear rod holder system for 2011 AI

Author: josh

Category: Equipment, rigging & preparation

Created on Monday, 25 October 2010 17:40

Written by Josh

Those following my deliberations on rod mounting to the 2011 Adventure Island will already know I've ran a few experiments, most of which I'd classify as fail. But 'Mark 3' as it's been dubbed turned out to be a real winner, eliminating all of the cons that were associated with any system I've tried previously. Along the way I've realised that this a great way to mount rod tubes to the rear of any AI, not just the newer ones and acheiving a similar set up on earlier AIs is certainly less expensive (with cheaper mounting options). 

For quite some time now I've been pimping the rear-rod tube set up on the AI, for reasons of which are discussed in the linked article that describes my previous mounting method. A lot of people have followed my lead on that method so it feels a little strange for me to now be advocating that y'all should undo what you did there and reverese the ball mount from the front side of the xbar to the rear side of the xbar. And then use a thick length of bungee cord attached to one of the saddles on the tube to secure it forward on the hull, as demonstrated in the photo above. This set up provides several advantages.

In originally going for a forward side mount there was method in the madness - the idea being that if the ball was mounted on the forward side, any applied backward pressure would only allow the tube to bend back so far, theoretically preventing it from being pulled back and downwards. The problem with this system, however, is that it is difficult to get the tubes secured into position without them sliding downwards under weight (of a heavier rodm, for example) and pushing reels precariously close to the waterline. The other problem is that if enough backwards force is applied, it is actually possible to pull the tube socket straight off the ball. if the tube is levered down across the xbar with enough force, it can come off. Ironically, because of this, it's far more likely to happen with tubes mounted from the front of the xbar, because any major backwards pressure will create that levering effect. 

This is not the case if mounted on the rear. There is no levering under backwards pressure in this situation and thus, far less likely that the socket can be pulled off the mounting ball. However, without taking extra measures, it's just as difficult to mount the tube to the ball securely enough to make sure it won't budge under pressure, and because (if mounted on rear of bar) there is nothing to prevent the tube from being pulled downwards, items secured in the holder won't be as secure, even if the holder itself is. 

Thats where the thick bungee leash comes in. AFter a couple experiments I found that 8mm bungee doubled over into a loop (of around 6") provides enough strength to hold the tube at the appropriate trolling angle, with just a little give under heavy strike, yet not enough to have the tube pulled backwards. So it completely eliminates the problem of the tube being levered off the mount as the tube cannot be pulled backwards any more than an inch or two from it's held position, as well as helping keep the tube at the angle you want it. 

For mounting tubes to 2010 & earlier AI's, I suggest looking at 2 x 2.5" C ball mounts clamped to xbar with backing plates (RAM space saver mounts do it just as well, if not better) and for 2011 AI's, I'd suggest looking at the large C ball clamp mount shown in these pictures, which although not at all cheap, do their job very well (and better than anything else I could find). The photo below shows how the tube can easily be repositioned for rod storage when the thick leash is unclipped.

Sharp observers will note from these photos that I have added some foam padding to the rear xbar as well. This is an optional seating experiment, designed to provide a higher, drier and rear-distribution of body weight for high-speed sailing. I did test this out on the weekend and it's effect was promising, though I didn't get to test it in high-wind sailing, which is what I had in mind. I'll discuss this experiment more when I've done a little more testing, but I think it's fairly safe me to assume already that it's an experimental measure likely to survive the test of time.

Update: I have since done away with this system and now use the Bullhorn rod holder system, which offers similar (and enhanced utility) but is a lot more secure and better suited for fishing from Adventure Island trimaran kayaks.