01-18-2004, 12:54 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]Hey, Mr. X, good to have you drop in on the tubin' board again. I read your other posts before responding on this thread.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Glad you appreciate the new designs. I have not yet had them on the water, but anticipate doing so soon. You are correct in observing that this slant rack is probably a better idea for tubes, Uboats and Vboats than for pontoons. From the "drivers' seat" in a pontoon craft of any size it might be a long reach to the outside rod. However, in my Fat Cat, with my long arms, I can easily touch the outside edge without straining.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Stability? First of all, this design is for fishing fresh water in calm conditions. If I planned to have to launch or beach...or fish...in sloppy conditions, I would probably mount one of my vertical racks. I would also use one with the longest tubes, to keep the reels as high above the water as possible...especially in salt water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If there is a concern about the rack flopping up and down, you simply run a bungee cord from the rack around the bottom to an inside D ring. That anchors the rotation in that direction. The weight of the rods pretty much secures it the other way. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I had planned to try to do without the bungee cord, to allow lifting the rack up out of the way to avoid tight passages or shoreside brush. And, if the wind comes up and I have to fight 10 foot waves, my mother's son is going to be long gone anyway. I don't do wind very well. Can't maneuver and can't fish effectively. Might as well go home and tinker with tackle or something.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]By the way, X, have you come up with a design for a rod rack for your pontoon yet? I have seen quite a few designs for vertical racks mounted behind the seat...in between the air chambers. Let me know if you need some assistance in planning one out.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]Glad you appreciate the new designs. I have not yet had them on the water, but anticipate doing so soon. You are correct in observing that this slant rack is probably a better idea for tubes, Uboats and Vboats than for pontoons. From the "drivers' seat" in a pontoon craft of any size it might be a long reach to the outside rod. However, in my Fat Cat, with my long arms, I can easily touch the outside edge without straining.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Stability? First of all, this design is for fishing fresh water in calm conditions. If I planned to have to launch or beach...or fish...in sloppy conditions, I would probably mount one of my vertical racks. I would also use one with the longest tubes, to keep the reels as high above the water as possible...especially in salt water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If there is a concern about the rack flopping up and down, you simply run a bungee cord from the rack around the bottom to an inside D ring. That anchors the rotation in that direction. The weight of the rods pretty much secures it the other way. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I had planned to try to do without the bungee cord, to allow lifting the rack up out of the way to avoid tight passages or shoreside brush. And, if the wind comes up and I have to fight 10 foot waves, my mother's son is going to be long gone anyway. I don't do wind very well. Can't maneuver and can't fish effectively. Might as well go home and tinker with tackle or something.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]By the way, X, have you come up with a design for a rod rack for your pontoon yet? I have seen quite a few designs for vertical racks mounted behind the seat...in between the air chambers. Let me know if you need some assistance in planning one out.[/size][/#0000ff]
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