Had a couple of requests to post some “how to” pics on the new rod rack I put together for my Jet Sled. Here 'tis.
It is simple, even for me. Some 1/2" elbows and Tees, some 1/2" PVC (cheap) and a few 1/2" to 1" Tees. The latter are the hardest to find. Most Home Depots have them in their PVC fittings, but you may have to look for them.
I precut and preassemble to make sure everything works right. Then I glue carefully. Getting a rod holder facing the wrong direction kinda ruins the beauty and functionality.
By making the spacers between the tees, for each rod holder, about 2 1/2", the total width comes out around 21". That allows you to drill the 2 holes well within the outside edges of the back of the sled. You can make it shorter, with fewer rod tubes, or reduce the size of the spacers and add another tube. But, on mine, I wouldn’t want the reels any closer together.
I suppose you could also play around and extend it out and add anothor row of tubes, but let’s not get carried away.
The one thing I did not clearly show or lable was the short bungee cord I used to cinch down the middle of the rack after installation. I drilled a half inch hole and then used a short bungee cord with the plastic ball on the end to wrap up around the middle tube to help stabilize it.
EDIT: Oopsie. Forgot to include a pic of the mounting holes on the back of the sled. I used a hole saw to cut holes at the right spots on lip of the sled. You need to hold the two drop pieces in place and draw circles where you need to cut the holes. You may also need to use a Dremel tool to open them up a bit so that the whole fitting slides down in for a snug fit.
I am posting up a pic of the set-up I have on my sled. It is also made from PVC. I used thin wall 1". The thick wall has to small of an inside diameter to get most of my rod handles in.
My set up is not attached to the sled in any way. It simply sets down in the bottom of the sled. It has to do this for when I have my shack on top of the sled. Nothing is glued so I can simply twist the verticle pieces to the down position.
One of my favorite features is the 45 degree fittings with the short piece of tube. These act as rod holders.
I’ll get up more pics with details if anyone wants to see them.
Before coming up with the stern mount rod holders I had been using a 4 tube system that would fit on the ice, in the sled or in the tent. (see attached pic).
I glued the base together but the tubes are not glued. You can pull them out for transport, taking less space.
Do you have any photos of your rod holders? I like the idea. I just put together an Ice Sled Rod Rack, it literally took me about an hour. I have all the PVC parts and fittings from my previous 3 sprinkling systems. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks,
I have used those myself, and know guys that have used them on boats. I still prefer the “tube” concept. The rods can’t be popped out as easy with a bump, and they ARE easy to lift out when you need them.
[:)]Thanks for posting the cool ideas for rod racks! I have been stowing about three rods on top of everything in my sled, with bungie cord holding them down. Lately I have been concerned with the line rubbing and possibly getting nicked on the other stuff.
I may use tubedudes idea for rod racks on my bass fishing boat.
Great stuff, PVC.
tubedude; thanks for the info on the sled rod holders and the tripod. they work great. (pimp) my sled. used it last weekend in northern nv. all my buddies loved the ideas.
quick to make and cheap. thats how i roll.
thanks again tubedude.
Sure seems like a lot of parts & work to me. I just mounted one of those vertical Berkley rod-racks on the inside back of my sled. Two small bolts/nuts for top/bottom and you’re good to go. Holds 6.
Had a couple of requests to post some “how to” pics on the new rod rack I put together for my Jet Sled. Here 'tis.