Reinforced Rod Pod

For a paper pattern, white butcher paper works fine, though it's by far the best to have it in one piece. I'll pm my address if you can do the pattern in one piece. It will be important to have the width of the lip indicated as well.  If you have trouble finding the paper, I may be able to go up to the factory outlet with some paper from the shop and ask if they'll let me take a rubbing of a boat.  They might be reluctant, so I think it's wiser to start here first.

I plan to route a groove on the underside to fit over the lip.  With 1/2" thick stock I'll probably go half that deep with the groove, allowing for filling with some form of foam for a very positive fit, unlikely to slip horizontally.  There will likely need to be both cnc as well as hand routing involved.  I'll be doing the initial cutting "upside down" so I can machine the groove, then follow up with a hand router to round off the edges and possible make "channels" for the straps to fit into (basically just a larger diameter round over bit.)

Not hard to do a lid in 2 pieces, yet, how are you going to keep the hinge area from leaking?  The seam adds an entirely new challenge to make a seal in that location.  I'd prefer to start by banging out a single piece prototype first.  Step one is to have a lid that seals and is rigid.  I don't want to think past that point yet.

YM.. ...unless you want it sooner.. i could have my T-13 with me at the meeting were having for HOW on the 18th and we can take all the measurements we want and i have a roll of newspaper print we can draw and rub whatever out you want.

Marilyn

cant speak for everone else, but i'm thinking of this as a one piece unit that hinges upward at the front , maybe latching once with some kind of turn lock at the rear. yeh i know that means we gotta come up with another seal of some type at the latch opening, but thinking that a simple neoprene O ring might work there...

how big are the sheets of material?? hope you can get more than one of these out of a single sheet.

and, yeh,  i swear i've seen something similar already installed on another makers boat.. like it's a front hatch that hinges forward

what happens if we were to split the rod pod lid in half and have it hing in the middle one toward our seat and one towards the bow of the boat. or split it down the middle from front to back and have it open from the sides both port and starbord.

Not hard to do a lid in 2 pieces, yet, how are you going to keep the hinge area from leaking?  The seam adds an entirely new challenge to make a seal in that location.  I'd prefer to start by banging out a single piece prototype first.  Step one is to have a lid that seals and is rigid.  I don't want to think past that point yet.

Sure.  Bang out a single.  I'll convert it ... I have a few thoughts on how to do that.

-Allen

depending on thickness, most sheets are 4'x10's.  I'm looking at using expanded foam pvc instead of cutting board material, as it's significantly lighter and rigid enough to do the job, and cheaper.

The biggest obstacle I see with a hinge that flips the lid forward, would be when you go to retrieve your rod itself.  You may have to stow your GPS and sonar shield first so that the pod lid can open flat.  The stiffer ocean rods don't seem to like to bend until you get most of the rod out of the hole.  Even the opening itself isn't big enough.  Lighter rods shouldn't have much problem though.   

This may not be an issue for everyone, and is just a observation worth keeping in mind.

Any takers on sending a pattern?  I can do a prototype pretty quickly out of expanded foam pvc....

I feel a bit like a doof, as I didn't get around to taking the opportunity at the HOW event to get a tracing of the rod pod "hole."  Everything was there, I just didn't do it.  I'm still quite interested in machining a replacement lid, but still need a pattern to do it accurately.  Any one still on board?

If I remember to this weekend I could get a rubbing of the opening.  I'll be up in Lacey Washington over the 4th if you wanted to swing down and pic it up from me.   

BTW - I'm about half done with my fiberglass rod pod lid.  So far it is working out really nice. Nice tight fit. And the way I am going about it, it easily supports my 215lb butt while sitting directly on it without flexing.   
I only have 5 layers so far,and plan to up it to 7 or 8 layers.  In the end it will be very close or equal to the same weight as the original plastic lid, yet several times stronger and way better fit and sealing.   

Thread Highjack.........

Insayn you going to be doing any fishing. and if so where? and how long are you guys going to be down here?

I feel a bit like a doof, as I didn't get around to taking the opportunity at the HOW event to get a tracing of the rod pod "hole."  Everything was there, I just didn't do it.  I'm still quite interested in machining a replacement lid, but still need a pattern to do it accurately.  Any one still on board?

How does one take a rubbing of a hole? 

  caught me with bad language. I guess I needed to have just one more beer ! I need a one piece full size rubbing of the LIP of the access port (that better? rofl) which includes both edges. I'm ready to go any time.... will provide address for shipping whenever needed.... we're talking about a cadillac rod pod lid here gents.... hmmm.... I'm even temped to engrave a name in it.... 

Thread Highjack.........

Insayn you going to be doing any fishing. and if so where? and how long are you guys going to be down here?

Wed-Sun afternoon.  No fishing, I'm not playing that license game with WDFW this year. 
It's just a standard run of the mill RV outing with the in-laws (and outlaws).   

Did anything ever happen with this?