I had been wanting to install rod holders in front of me for catfish and striper fishing, but I couldn't commit to drilling the holes because I was nervous I would put them too far or too close. Upon seeing the new 2010 boats with the slidetracks I knew I had to homebrew a way to copy the idea.
Here is what I started with: 2 scotty rod holders, plastic cutting board from Lowes, assorted stainless hardware, can of paint and primer (not pictured) and a Bench Dog T-Loc accessory track available at Klingspor Woodworking Store.
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The first thing I did was make a plate to connect the Scotty mount to the T-Loc track using the cutting board. I wanted to make sure my idea would work before drilling holes in the kayak. Here is a cross-section of the assembled set-up. The track accepts 1/4 hex bolts (that is what connects the cutting board plate to the track). I filed the corners of the bolts ever so slightly and this really helps the bolts to slide easily in the groove.
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The flat portion of the T-Loc track was too long to fit flush with the gunwales because of the foot rest track. I trimmed off appx 3/8" using my jigsaw. The track is aluminum so it cuts fairly easily.
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Here is the back side of the cutting board. I used a countersink bit to hollow the cutting board to allow the cone head screws to fit flush.
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Ok so that all works... time to drill the boat. I drilled four holes on the flat portion of the T-loc track to mount it to the boat. Three would work as far as strength, but there is a molded in area of the gunwale in the way on the Manta Ray. Once the holes on the track were drilled, I used some squeeze clamps to help position the track on the boat.
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The track is held to the boat with a flat head bolt, fender washer, lock washer and hex nut. I originally tried to used lock nuts, but I had a hard time getting the nut secured all the way. It's a long reach to the farthest bolt inside the hatch!
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The fender washers needed to be trimmed a little bit so they wouldn't be held off by the rounded area inside the gunwale. I did this with a pair of vise-grip pliers and a bench grinder.
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Here is the first assembly of all the parts in place.
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I decided to take the kayak out and make sure everything would work as planned before drilling the other side of the boat. I think it'll work great
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I painted the tracks satin black to match the foot rest tracks. This step is optional, but I didn't want the extra glare from the bare metal. I textured the tracks with the wire wheel on the grinder to help the paint hold. I strung up the tracks with some fishing line to allow all sides to be painted at the same time.
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Here is both sides assembled and in action.
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Any questions let me know.
Here is what I started with: 2 scotty rod holders, plastic cutting board from Lowes, assorted stainless hardware, can of paint and primer (not pictured) and a Bench Dog T-Loc accessory track available at Klingspor Woodworking Store.
The first thing I did was make a plate to connect the Scotty mount to the T-Loc track using the cutting board. I wanted to make sure my idea would work before drilling holes in the kayak. Here is a cross-section of the assembled set-up. The track accepts 1/4 hex bolts (that is what connects the cutting board plate to the track). I filed the corners of the bolts ever so slightly and this really helps the bolts to slide easily in the groove.
The flat portion of the T-Loc track was too long to fit flush with the gunwales because of the foot rest track. I trimmed off appx 3/8" using my jigsaw. The track is aluminum so it cuts fairly easily.
Here is the back side of the cutting board. I used a countersink bit to hollow the cutting board to allow the cone head screws to fit flush.
Ok so that all works... time to drill the boat. I drilled four holes on the flat portion of the T-loc track to mount it to the boat. Three would work as far as strength, but there is a molded in area of the gunwale in the way on the Manta Ray. Once the holes on the track were drilled, I used some squeeze clamps to help position the track on the boat.
The track is held to the boat with a flat head bolt, fender washer, lock washer and hex nut. I originally tried to used lock nuts, but I had a hard time getting the nut secured all the way. It's a long reach to the farthest bolt inside the hatch!
The fender washers needed to be trimmed a little bit so they wouldn't be held off by the rounded area inside the gunwale. I did this with a pair of vise-grip pliers and a bench grinder.
Here is the first assembly of all the parts in place.
I decided to take the kayak out and make sure everything would work as planned before drilling the other side of the boat. I think it'll work great
I painted the tracks satin black to match the foot rest tracks. This step is optional, but I didn't want the extra glare from the bare metal. I textured the tracks with the wire wheel on the grinder to help the paint hold. I strung up the tracks with some fishing line to allow all sides to be painted at the same time.
Here is both sides assembled and in action.
Any questions let me know.
