Horizontal rod holder on Hobie

I can't say this is an original idea, I saw this on the new Jackson Cuda and thought it was a really cool idea, so $30 in plastic later, here's what I came up with, the plastic I used is kydex, the same stuff that gun holsters and knife sheaths are made from. For holding the butt section of the rod I'm using the stock Hobie paddle holder. I could have procured the new Hobie kit for $20, but I think this came out way cooler.

Nice work. I like that the opening for your forward holder is large enough to easily hit with the rod tip.

I used zip ties to horizontally install 4' lengths of foam pipe insulation just under each rail in the bow of my john boat.  I slide the rod tips in, and the handles bend to the floor under the weight of the reel.  They work pretty well as "quick-draw holsters" to secure my other rods. I was thinking that I should do something similar for my yaks.

I broke the tip of a flyrod once when i drifted backward into a piling. Yep, I let 'em stick horizontally out the back of my yak where they aren't in the way of anything while I'm paddling.  I should just break them down when paddling...I can still have 'em rigged and ready, but just separated and "folded over" so they don't stick out. I sometimes do that, but I also get lazy and like to keep 'em fully rigged and ready (but vulnerable) at all times.

I might have to explore something like what you did, crazyeyes.

looks great - way better than the PVC pipe shit I dream up.

Pretty slick, crazyeyes!  Looks awesome!

Very nice!!
Great use of the 42' of deck space on the Addy!

Very cool! 

I was just watching some Youtube videos the other day on forming Kydex for knife holsters. 
Looks like Kydex could come in handy on a kayak in other forms as well. 

Really nice.  How did you form the Kydex?

Nice!

Really nice.  How did you form the Kydex?

You basically heat it up slowly with a heat gun, or oven till it gets all floppy and then press it over a form till it cools. 
Very cool product from what I've seen so far. 

I'm wondering if it could take the abuse of a formed keel skid?  Just form that sucker right to the keel or keel mold, and then trim and Goop it on. 

The kydex I use of this is 1/8" thick, I don't think it would have any problem taking the abuse of being on the bottom of a hull,  I heated it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes and it became the consistency of rubber, the top I had to reform 3-4 times to get it right and every time I put it in the oven it just returned back to a flat sheet again.  I did do some fine tuning with a heat gun. I have a small piece left, I might try making a keel protector for back by the rudder.

Nice install, is the Kydex available locally or did you get it on-line?

I purchased they kydex from knifekits.com they sell it in 12x12 and 12x24 sheets only, for the 1/8" V grade kydex that I used it is $7.90 a sf.  V grade is just a recycled grade that cost a little less. I think for the 4 sf I ordered with shipping it was around $40 with shipping.  I looked online at Tap plastics to see if I might be able to get it locally but they don't carry kydex on there website.

Nice rod holder design.  Are you worried about filling your reel with saltwater?

I'm wondering if it could take the abuse of a formed keel skid?  Just form that sucker right to the keel or keel mold, and then trim and Goop it on. 

Great idea!  I'm going for it, but it will have to wait until February.

Nice rod holder design.  Are you worried about filling your reel with saltwater?

I'm wondering if it could take the abuse of a formed keel skid?  Just form that sucker right to the keel or keel mold, and then trim and Goop it on. 

Great idea!  I'm going for it, but it will have to wait until February.

I was figuring on either removing my reels and stowing them inside the hull, or build a waterproof rod sock dry bag that could be strapped down without fear of salt water, or sand invading my reel. I've looked online for such a product, but I haven't found anyone that makes such a beast. So I guess that might have to be my next project. 

The sock might be good for keeping from snaggin on the reel handle post huli too.

-Spot-