Adding tower w/ Rocket Launcher (inexpensively)...

[pjbrownva]

So, I found an aluminum DIY tower w/ rocket launchers that is CHEAP (about $175 delivered on Amazon)

tower.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018830AFA

In the reviews, most people liked it. Some complained about needing to take your time as you cut down the pieces, de-burr them and assemble it.

It uses 1.25" aluminum tubes. The rod holders themselves are plastic (which I DON'T like) but I've decided to give it a go.

In my mind, I'm already working on modifications and upgrades... such as adding stainless steel rod holders in the sides and also along the top.

I'm also planning (or at least hoping) to get rid of the plastic mounting hardware and replace it with stainless steel.

I know this won't match a $1500 custom build rod rack. What's somewhat amusing is that I think I'm spending just as much on accessories and hardware upgrades as I am on the tower itself. More rocket launchers... upgraded hardware, flood lights (spreader lights) a new anchor light to mount on top of it. Aluminum clamps to mount the spreader lights... etc

Anyway, my rationale is that it'll give me a good, safe place to store rods while I'm fishing, and keep them from getting messed up or broken.

I'm open to ideas, and happy to post here as I go through the planning and installation for this project. :-)

-Phil

Found more info in a catalog and on the manufacturer's website:
rocketLauncher.jpg

https://oceansouth.us/shop/rocket-launchers/ma-100/

[RWilson2526]

For the price it is worth a shot I would think, It is not clear to me yet where the feet would mount on the gunnel. Looks like you need a flat surface which I think is already taken up on by my bimini mounts.

[SkunkBoat]

if you are a lake fishing guy it'll do...maybe.

If you run in the ocean with 20#/30# class outfits up there, it'll shake apart.

I'm guessing they used plastic rodholders to keep weight down and keep the price down. It would need to be a lot beefier to handle metal rodholders.

[pjbrownva]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

if you are a lake fishing guy it'll do...maybe.

If you run in the ocean with 20#/30# class outfits up there, it'll shake apart.

I'm guessing they used plastic rodholders to keep weight down and keep the price down. It would need to be a lot beefier to handle metal rodholders.

i agree that it should be beefier. I don't plan to put 30# class reels in it... that's just asking for trouble. I also don't plan to troll from it... at least not from the top. It's mainly intended to get unused rods up and out of the way.

I've also ordered some clamp-on stainless steel rod holders to put on the sides... I'll see how sturdy those seem to me. Maybe I can troll from those...
ss rod holders.jpg


Regarding the mounting, I'll have to see, but I believe that I can put the base vertically or horizontally and set the eyes accordingly to go in to it. I've also ordered some stainless steel bases...
stainless feet.jpg
I'll have to wait and see if the unit itself can be adapted to use stainless steel feet.

I've got a new anchor light and spreader lights with aluminum clamps.
stern light.jpg
The spreader lights shine white or blue, you can switch which is pretty cool.
spreader lights and clamps.jpg

I'm constantly moving unused rods from the stern rod holders to make room for fishing, and never have anywhere good to store them... I'm afraid that at some point I'm gonna break a rod, so hopefully this will prevent that from happening.

I'll also need to figure out a better place to keep my rods while trailering.... I don't like having them stick up really high in my current rod holders... the clearance seems too low to me, especially for tree branches, etc.

I'm considering one of those strap-like rod holders for my SUV....
fishing rod holder strap.jpg
and actually, just now, it occurred to me that I could rig it up inside the boat for trailering.... that would keep the rods down, untangled and safe from bouncing around.

:-)

Anyway, lots of goodies to come... (and I'll post photos and updates)... that's how I plan to keep busy this fall and winter!

[randlemanboater]

I had one of those rod holder strap things, I used it for years in the bed of my pick up, worked great...I have no idea what I did with it.

[pjbrownva]

The strap rod holder works really well.

I love the tower too, and the spreader lights are pretty cool.

I'll try to get some photos this weekend and post them up.

You can shake the rod holder some, but I want to check and probably re-cut the pipes to make the width a little narrower.

I agree that a beefier setup would be preferred, but I think this one will work out well, as long as I know it's limitations!

More to come...

-Phil

[pjbrownva]

Another week or 2 and I'll pull out Fish Beware, and get back to work, prepping for Spring fishing starting in April.

[nymack66]

Post some pictures please, I will love to see your setup.

[pjbrownva]

Gladly. I have so many plans, ideas and projects that I've created my own "build thread" where I'll post plans, updates and info on the work, changes and mods I'm doing to my V20.

I'll post the update there now. Here's a link.

Fish Beware build thread...

[ashokrags]

Yeah please post some pics. I would love to see the setup. I have a ray marine element 9 and would love to add some radar to it but am hesitant since the towers are so expensive. So would love to learn about your setup