Bimin Rocket Launcher

[RWilson2526]

Took the plunge with a whopping $88 purchase and tried out the bimini rocket launcher that JasonCooperPCola originally found on Ebay. Went with the one that fits 69" to 79" (my bimini is 74" center to center at the top) http://www.ebay.com/itm/150649053754?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Came in a nice white box with the words "ROCKET LAUNCHER" on in it....after the call from Homeland Security I got down to business.

For $88 bucks I'm happy with the quality. Anodized tubing, the fittings on the end are plastic but seems to be a good quality material whatever it is. tubing thickness is decent, all hardware is stainless. The only joints are the approx 12" of straight pieces at the ends which are made with an internal sleeve with a really thick wall that is through bolted through the plastic fitting.

Wish the rod holders were a little longer because there really is not that much of the rod that sits into them, especially with the long notches out of the top of them but I'm pretty sure things wont be falling out of them....I might be a little concerned if it was loaded with all good sized rods and running in some rough water because just with the two rods I show in there now if I pull on the center things do seem to flex a little....

Also the fittings are made for 7/8 or 1" tube and I guess I have 3/4" on my bimini so they didnt clamp down tightly....added a 5 or 6 turns of black electrical tape underneath them and the work just fine. Once I'm sure I like it I can always run a screw or a pop rivet through them. And finally it also occured to me that the supports are going to interfere with putting up the back canvas on my enclosure but I think I shoujld be able to just leave the supports poking though a small opening....Being that I think I've used my back curtains maybe once in 3 years I can live with the trade off.

All in all I think it is going to work out great for what I intended it for which was just a place to put rods and nets when anchored or moving around slowly....probably will take a few rods down when making high speed moves. Will give further review after field testing.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/041.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/048.jpg


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/047.jpg


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/046.jpg


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/045.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/Bimini%20Rocket%20Launcher/044.jpg

[reelapeelin]

I LIKE IT!!...:clap:...thinking seriously about one for mine...but duh...better get a top first...LOL!!...yer right, Rob...tubes look a little short, but any chance of them becoming ROD-launchers can be negated w/lightweight bungees strategically placed...

Did I say I LIKE IT!!...:clap:

[randlemanboater]

Looks good, let us know how they field test. The weight of 5 big offshore rods up there kinda scares me, but I scare easily.

[phatdaddy]

do the top clips on the rod holders have screws or do they just press on the top tube?

looks good for light rods and gaffs, etc.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I like it!! It doesn't look "cheesy." And it doesn't look out of place. You might want to consider some "bungee cord insurance" to keep your rods in.

Now lets talk finders fee. :sly:

Another question, would y'all trust an aluminum framed bimini top with this? I want one but i am scared by bimini frame will break. Maybe i need to be on the lookout for a stainless bimini frame.

[smokeonthewater]

for a little more security while running you could cut out the stops on the outermost tubes to allow the rod to drop through to the reel and you could maintain maximum headroom in the center. also you can easily buy the tube clamps to fit your 3/4" tubing for cheap and not have to "adapt" or screw it solid.


looks good tho

[Road King Cole]

Looks like a lot of bang for the buck, I like it.

If it would fit my arch, I would consider one...

rkc

[Cam]

Thanks for the pics...I am buying one for my boat....:sun:

[RWilson2526]

do the top clips on the rod holders have screws or do they just press on the top tube?

looks good for light rods and gaffs, etc.

Correct, the top clips are a tight snap fit onto the upper tube. The pop rivet on the lower tube keeps the holder from spinning . They can pop off but you have to pull pretty hard...its a pretty tight snap fit. Hoping they stay put but I'm pretty sure they will.

The more I think about how nice it will be to throw things up there the more I like it. I mean just being able to set a rod up there while tieing on a new rig is gonna be sweet. If we can get some decent sea conditions It will definitely get used once or twice at least before the end of the season.

[RWilson2526]

Another question, would y'all trust an aluminum framed bimini top with this? I want one but i am scared by bimini frame will break. Maybe i need to be on the lookout for a stainless bimini frame.

It seemed to me when pulling on it all the force is transfered straight down to the back two vertical supports of the bimini. I bet you could just change those two supports to ss tubes and be good to go.

[Cam]

Done...ordered it on 11/2 and it shipped the same day. Just took boat out for the winter so it will have to wait until next spring to be installed. Thanks for the pics showing how it mounts and how nice it looks.

:clap:

[reelapeelin]

It seemed to me when pulling on it all the force is transfered straight down to the back two vertical supports of the bimini. I bet you could just change those two supports to ss tubes and be good to go.

I imagine the alum tubing would withstand as much downward push as the plastic connectors will bear...I'll come up and we'll run a test til failure on yours...LOL!!



Way to GO, Cam!!...

[Cam]

Got mine in the mail yesterday...very nice looking, but NO instructions with it. How did you figure out how to install it. Thank god for the pictures posted....lol.:sun:

[RWilson2526]

Got mine in the mail yesterday...very nice looking, but NO instructions with it. How did you figure out how to install it. Thank god for the pictures posted....lol.:sun:

Your right, no instructions. Would have had to charge $2 more for that I guess. I did a search on google images prior to purchase to get an idea of how it was installed. Good luck with it. Just and FYI I thought I was maybe going to have to disassemble part of the bimini figuring I might have to slide the rocket launcher black plastic fittings over the end but they will flex enough to get them around the pipe. A little nerve racking as I was doing it as I was waiting for the snap but they held up just fine.

[Cam]

I am gonna replace the plastic ones with stainless steel. I have a few left over from an old bimini top from one of my old boats.

[awthacker]

Rob, are you able to roll the bimini up into it's cover with the rocket launcher still on, or does it come off and on relatively easily in order to zip up the bimini?

[Mulv80]

Rob, are you able to roll the bimini up into it's cover with the rocket launcher still on, or does it come off and on relatively easily in order to zip up the bimini?

I'm considering buying one of these also. Does anyone have the answer to this question?

[Raymiltier]

That's a good looking setup rods look like they set a little proud though. I think i will cut out the stops and tell people to watch they're heads, Wait a minute My main fishing partner is my 8 year old daughter, I'm good for a while!

[Destroyer]

It seemed to me when pulling on it all the force is transfered straight down to the back two vertical supports of the bimini. I bet you could just change those two supports to ss tubes and be good to go.

Rob, not sure if it would work for your bimini, but when I bought my bimini off eBay last year the company that I got it from offered an option of 2 extra SS rods for additional support at a decent price. I got them and I like them. Very high quality 1" Anodized Alum with all fittings. I'll look up the name and post it here in case you want to get in touch with them on their website.

[Destroyer]

Sorry Rob, took a while to find them, The company that I got my Bimini from is Boatarama online. http://www.ebay.com/sch/boatarama/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984 They actually carry a rocket launcher kit much like the one you have... might even be the same company.. but if you buy their rocket launcher kit they also give you an optional set of rear support poles for free...
At any rate, if you're looking for support poles, I highly recommend these guys.. fast shipping, fair prices and the bimini I got from them was a top quality unit for the price. And I love the 1" double walled tubing they use for their frames. Very, very strong.

[RWilson2526]

Rob, are you able to roll the bimini up into it's cover with the rocket launcher still on, or does it come off and on relatively easily in order to zip up the bimini?

Sorry guys...missed this post back when. Actually I dont know yet as I havent tried. I will check this weekend and get back to you.

Oh and thanks for the info Destroyer.

[reelapeelin]

Sorry Rob, took a while to find them, The company that I got my Bimini from is Boatarama online. http://www.ebay.com/sch/boatarama/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984 They actually carry a rocket launcher kit much like the one you have... might even be the same company.. but if you buy their rocket launcher kit they also give you an optional set of rear support poles for free...
At any rate, if you're looking for support poles, I highly recommend these guys.. fast shipping, fair prices and the bimini I got from them was a top quality unit for the price. And I love the 1" double walled tubing they use for their frames. Very, very strong.


Thanks Destroyer!!..you mighta just turned me on to a new top!!...you say these guys are legit??...

UPDATE...she's on the way!!...no idea I could get a new top that cheep...Thanks again, Destroyer...

[Destroyer]

Thanks Destroyer!!..you mighta just turned me on to a new top!!...you say these guys are legit??...

UPDATE...she's on the way!!...no idea I could get a new top that cheep...Thanks again, Destroyer...

The fabric is not the worlds best/thickest kinda stuff, but it's good and it's waterproof, and for the money I figured that if I got 3 years out of it I'd be happy... the quality of the frame is top notch though...sturdy, good hardware, etc etc. I think you'll be pleased with what you get :)

[reelapeelin]

The fabric is not the worlds best/thickest kinda stuff, but it's good and it's waterproof, and for the money I figured that if I got 3 years out of it I'd be happy... the quality of the frame is top notch though...sturdy, good hardware, etc etc. I think you'll be pleased with what you get :)

I'll picture/post what comes in the mail...having had a flimsy frame in the past, this one sounds pretty good to me...:clap:

[macojoe]

mine are long but one of my nails fell out and the rod goes all the way now? i no longer will put tuna rods up there!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/MJ-hide/Picture_009_Medium_002.sized.jpg

[RWilson2526]

Rob, are you able to roll the bimini up into it's cover with the rocket launcher still on, or does it come off and on relatively easily in order to zip up the bimini?

Sorry it took so long to get back....alas, no the bimini cover will not fit on with the rocket launcher installed as is. Its only the one small support on the ends that prevent the cover from slipping over completely. If I like it I'm pretty sure all that would need to be done is slit the sides of the boot up a couple of inches and then have the raw edges sewn up. Hard to explain but hopefully you get the idea.

[awthacker]

Sorry it took so long to get back....alas, no the bimini cover will not fit on with the rocket launcher installed as is. Its only the one small support on the ends that prevent the cover from slipping over completely. If I like it I'm pretty sure all that would need to be done is slit the sides of the boot up a couple of inches and then have the raw edges sewn up. Hard to explain but hopefully you get the idea.

Thanks for reporting back. Looks like a nice temporary solution until I can afford a hard-top.