Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Rod Holders

I am new to the forum and am really glad I found it. Lots of great info! I recently bought a 16 ft. Tatman drift boat that is 10 years old. It still looks fantastic and handles like a dream. I've done an extensive search on the internet for rod holders that will work in a drift boat. The holders will be used to store rods along the inside...not for trolling. The best spot in my boat would be under the gunwales. For some crazy reason, I don't want to put any type of plastic or stainless rod holders in the boat. I want to keep it as natural as possible. I made some wooden rod holders recently but I'm not happy with them. I have given some thought to leather straps. Anyone ever heard using leather for straps? If anyone has any ideas or pics of unique rod holders in drift boats I would appreciate your suggestions. I've already read the posts on the MBB forum. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Scott S.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 6, 2009 at 9:34pm

Take a look at Greg Hatten's pages and pics. He robbed leather straps from his wife's luggage to build rod holders! Now she has to use twine to keep her suitcases closed!

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by Scott Snyder on July 7, 2009 at 9:34am

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah...something like that is what I'm after.

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on July 9, 2009 at 3:53pm

Scott,
Here's a picture of what I came up with after several versions and a lot of "trial and error" - this works just right for the kind of fishing I do...
Hope it helps... good luck. Post some pics - or let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks.
GH

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Permalink Reply by Scott Snyder on July 9, 2009 at 7:32pm

Thanks Greg....those look great and very practical. I will post pics when I come up with something.

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on July 10, 2009 at 8:44am

Hey Alex... I should have described it a little better - I hot glued velcro on the other side of the leather patch. Since all my reels have velcro "fasteners" for the flap, it works great... custom "holsters". All the weight is supported by the leather strap and holster - the rod "rests" on the hand rail and the line is out front. After almost losing a rod or two, I added the leather "safety" teather and brass "clip" - just in case the "grab" is fast and I am slow.
GH