Downrigger

I came up with this one after trying the rod stub and big tip top. That was too long and bulky. This one works because of the rod guide that’s epoxied into the end of the PVC pipe. I cut off the guide’s foot, put the guide ring on my finger, and put 90 sec epoxy around the rim, then stuck it into the end of the pipe. That’s an old mooching reel and seat that was lying around. I spooled it with some 100lbs Kevlar that has marks every 5' or so. Each crank is almost exactly 1', but I really don't count because I watch where it is on the fish finder and adjust accordingly. I use a 4# ball that fits right into the cup holder molded into my boat. This one is still at bit long. I use it through the slot for the leeboard in my Hobie BigA. You can build whatever length you need by changing the length of pipe.

So how does it mount to your yak, or does it just sit free on the floor.
I like the idea.

It's on the deck until I move the ff, then it'll go in a rod holder.

hmm, nice Wali, did you have this same thing for your anchor when we fished the willy?

I love your lo-budget approach to things...a man after my own heart..

Kinda like my lake anchor, but that reel is not strong enough to lift the 3 pound ball efficiently, i need to find a mooching reel like that or make something....

Yep, thats the anchor retriver/ downrigger/ dental floss dispenser.

 Is that like a Penn 209? That ought to lift a 3lb ball without too much grief.

And your model airplane roots are showing. I've been watching the buzzards  soaring here. That and the conversations about paddles has got me thinking about pulling out some epoxy and a foam cutter.

Speaking of which; have you built any vacuum bagged wings/fuses? I've seen a couple articles out there on building paddles using essentially the same technique. Won't save any money if you count the hours worked, but its sure more interesting than just plunking down a knot of cash.

Wali-

I've used vacuum bagging for wooden boat building. Used an old refrigerator compressor to pull the vacuum. Works very well for laminates in a mold. Feel free to ask if you need more details.

Yep, thats the anchor retriver/ downrigger/ dental floss dispenser.

 Is that like a Penn 209? That ought to lift a 3lb ball without too much grief.

And your model airplane roots are showing. I've been watching the buzzards  soaring here. That and the conversations about paddles has got me thinking about pulling out some epoxy and a foam cutter.

Speaking of which; have you built any vacuum bagged wings/fuses? I've seen a couple articles out there on building paddles using essentially the same technique. Won't save any money if you count the hours worked, but its sure more interesting than just plunking down a knot of cash.

Not sure what model Reel it is. It has a 993 in the little black circle? the drag is pretty worn out, If i reworked it it would probably work ok.

I have never done a vac bagging. After crashing a 500 dollar carbon fiber bird, i decided foam and packing tape were a better option, especially trying to learn to Dynamic Soar.

That would ba fun, build your own carbon fiber paddle.

Not sure what model Reel it is. It has a 993 in the little black circle? the drag is pretty worn out, If i reworked it it would probably work ok.

Ocean City 993 reel.

-Allen

I'm really confused by this "vacuum bag" talk.  It's probably best I don't know.

Not quite vacuum bagged but great how to to make a carbon fiber paddle.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,2280.msg20238/topicseen.html#new

Z

I'm really confused by this "vacuum bag" talk.  It's probably best I don't know.

well, it's nothing like a vaporizer...

It's just a way of laminating layers of material together. the vacuum bag acts like a press and squeezes the layers together.

It's just a way of laminating layers of material together. the vacuum bag acts like a press and squeezes the layers together.

Thanks Roy.  For a moment there I thought.. "Wait there are vacuum bags made of carbon fiber?  what?  and they use them to make airplane wings? Huh?"   The vacuum bag compression thingy makes much more sense.

Brian

Yeah, vacuum bagging is used with a variety of composite materials; fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, with resin. It has two benefits- 1) greater clamping pressure (1/2 atmosphere results in 1008 pounds per square foot) and 2) less resin in the finished product (lower weight).