Thoughts on diy gear tracks

Just has a wild hair so I did a quick search for aluminum rectangular tubing. With a table saw or something you could make the channel width match whatever you need, plus with the options out there you could decide on the width and height that you want.

http://store.buymetal.com/aluminum-rectangular-tube-6063-t52-4-1.5-0.125.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA1o-zBRDomsWasvKh4S8SJADSlZkqV_YvplWVdEioaO5mVlFNPiUKQVi3XFHZ2U6vPKv7BRoCUiLw_wcB

They make aluminum T tracks and fasteners for woodworking. http://www.ttrackusa.com/track_%20systems.htm

Could be a fun project, and like anything else if you make it yourself you have complete control over the final product.

That said, the commercial gear tracks are so nicely finished and well made it would be hard for me to justify biting off making my own, but then again metal work isn't my strong point.

I don't mind buying the gear track just because of the quality. Now the backing plate is a different story.I couldn't justify spending the coin on a stick of aluminum with holes in it so I made my own.works perfectly and with a 6 foot chunk of aluminum you can make all the backing plates you want for just a few buck and 20-30 min of your time. If anyone wants pics and how I did it just pm me.

What sparked this was seeing the threads of fishing poles coming off. Whether it was the track that was an issue or the mounts on the bases being used that failed, there is still an issue. I guess my thinking was a heavier duty, deeper track for a larger bolt for something like a downrigger setup. Another thought would be sliding in some outriggers to heavier duty tracks. I do have some scotty plastic tracks that I haven't mounted yet, mostly because I'm not sure what or where I want to add items.

I think it's the mounts that are failing not the track.I have never used the gearhead style solely to hold the rod holder so I can't speak on that but have heard of them failing.I have been using the 12" aluminum rail with the single line of bolts with a backing plate. Also a mighty mount style mount that I made that work awesome all salmon season with no flex or torquing out under the load of hard strikes or snags.

Just has a wild hair so I did a quick search for aluminum rectangular tubing. With a table saw or something you could make the channel width match whatever you need, plus with the options out there you could decide on the width and height that you want.

http://store.buymetal.com/aluminum-rectangular-tube-6063-t52-4-1.5-0.125.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA1o-zBRDomsWasvKh4S8SJADSlZkqV_YvplWVdEioaO5mVlFNPiUKQVi3XFHZ2U6vPKv7BRoCUiLw_wcB

Do not buy metal online unless you are desperate. Go to a local metal retailer. The online prices, from what I have observed, are about 2 to three times more expensive plus shipping. Also, unless you already have it, a metal cutting blade for aluminum should be factored into the cost unless you don't care about your existing blade, or cut quality.

Just has a wild hair so I did a quick search for aluminum rectangular tubing. With a table saw or something you could make the channel width match whatever you need, plus with the options out there you could decide on the width and height that you want.

http://store.buymetal.com/aluminum-rectangular-tube-6063-t52-4-1.5-0.125.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA1o-zBRDomsWasvKh4S8SJADSlZkqV_YvplWVdEioaO5mVlFNPiUKQVi3XFHZ2U6vPKv7BRoCUiLw_wcB

Do not buy metal online unless you are desperate. Go to a local metal retailer. The online prices, from what I have observed, are about 2 to three times more expensive plus shipping. Also, unless you already have it, a metal cutting blade for aluminum should be factored into the cost unless you don't care about your existing blade, or cut quality.

Thank you for the advice. I do have some metal shops around that I could go to.

I do have some scotty plastic tracks that I haven't mounted yet, mostly because I'm not sure what or where I want to add items.

Here is a link to a Youtube review of the Scotty plastic gear tracks in which the reviewer complains that they aren't suitable for use with rod mounts which are under much stress because the tracks are sufficiently flexible that Scotty Gearhead mounts can twist out of the track. It would suck to lose a rod, rod holder, and Gearhead mount overboard because it twisted out of a plastic track.



It's easy to make your own equipment which mounts on gear tracks.  See my posting at http://www.yakfisher.net/smffiles/index.php?topic=9917.0, which
an improved version of a posting which I originally made on this forum.

My plastic tracks were a gift. My hesitation is their flexibility as shown on that video. I'm not sure if I'll be trolling much, plus I'm fishing rivers and lakes in eastern Washington so no big monster fish in general.

My plastic tracks were a gift. My hesitation is their flexibility as shown on that video. I'm not sure if I'll be trolling much, plus I'm fishing rivers and lakes in eastern Washington so no big monster fish in general.

There's no need to use sturdy mounts if you're sure that a spill or a moment's clumsiness (I'm prone to those) won't pop your gear out and into the rivers or lakes.  But honestly, finding aluminum channel that matches the profile of the gear tracks isn't hard and isn't expensive and your plastic tracks give you the template for the mounting screws.

Cheap insurance, but to each their own.

I received rod holders and bases with my kayak package when I ordered it. I'm figuring I'll make my own bases to attach to the channel. I'm not sure where I want to locate my tracks though since I travel with my boat upside down. I don't want the tracks to weaken or break from any of that stress or pressure.

I don't mind buying the gear track just because of the quality. Now the backing plate is a different story.I couldn't justify spending the coin on a stick of aluminum with holes in it so I made my own.works perfectly and with a 6 foot chunk of aluminum you can make all the backing plates you want for just a few buck and 20-30 min of your time. If anyone wants pics and how I did it just pm me.

Did you tap the backing plate, though? That was the selling point to me: not having to reach in and get a washer and nut on each of the 78 screw holes. The pre-built backing plates are drilled to match and tapped, so that in hard to reach places you just have to get one one screw started and then you can line the rest up very easily.

They are ridiculously expensive, though.

My plastic tracks were a gift. My hesitation is their flexibility as shown on that video. I'm not sure if I'll be trolling much, plus I'm fishing rivers and lakes in eastern Washington so no big monster fish in general.

I'm using plastic YakAttack tracks on one of my boats and I've had no issues, but I'm not using them for heavy trolling (salmon); just bass, trout, etc. You could make the argument that on a huli or whatever bad situation you're in it's better to have the track break than to exert more force on the hull.

That said, I'm super impressed with the YakAttack GearTracs. I am running the "GT90" series due to the lack of deck/gunwale space on the Oasis, and they work great. Like Yaktastic I prefer a two-point attachment for heavy trolling. If I had the width to work with I would definitely get the full-width tracks.

Stock photos of what I have. I think my use for the tracks will be more for accessories since this has 4 flush mounts plus mounting on the deck lid