I Need Some "Rocket Launcher Modification" Ideas..

C

Casey

New member
Here's the situation: My CC23 has a very nicely made rocket launcher (for fishing; but I don't fish). The assembly only has about 7" of clearance between the cabintop and the launcher, and even less where the pole holders are welded-on. There is a mediocre picture of the boat/launcher in my "Katmai" photo file.

Here's the problem: I'd like to carry a smallish kayak, but the available space really makes that a challenge, maybe even impossible. I need ideas.

This is certainly not a rush project, in fact I may never (re)solve it, but I'm thinking....

I haven't found any hardshell kayaks that would fit beneath the limited space (all are too tall). I've considered using an inflatable kayak (and even partially deflating it to fit underneath), but haven't found one that works for me. I've considered complete removal of the launcher, but that will leave 12 holes in the cabin roof. I've considered having a fabrication shop add 6-8" to the launcher uprights to gain space, but with the 'curves involved that would probably cost as much as making a whole new roof-rack. I'm plumb out of ideas.

Another idea would be to remove a couple of pole holders and carry a kayak on top of the launcher, with an additional support up forward on the cabin.

When you're "plumb out of ideas" what does a person do .... ?

Answer: You appeal to the C-Brat brain-trust....!

Thanks for your thoughts/ideas.

Best,
Casey
PS: I suppose I could give up kayaking and take up fishing; but that seems pretty radical. (...no patience.)
 
Casey ol Brother.... just have your stainless guy make you a set of "jack plates" if you will. You could even have them built as to fold "down" into the cockpit area when under way on the trailer. Just a thought.

Byrdman
 
Nope, no radome, just the GPS & VHF antennas and the anchor light.

I thought about the "porta-boat" until I rode in one - I found it kind of scary; kind of like riding in a large envelope (that seemed like it was going to close-up at any moment).

My current thinking is to cut away the two (center) rod holders to create more space beneath the launcher, then see what kind of inflatable could fit underneath. On second thought maybe I'll do some inflatable measurements and see what might fit - before cutting anything off!

Best,
Casey
 
I should think it would be easiest to have a stainless shop fabricate some "extenders" to convert your low-profile radar arch to a high-profile one with more clearance. Perhaps those are what Byrdman calls jack plates.

Warren
 
Casey,
Here is another "Plum Idea"..form the brainless trust division.

Based on the limited photo views, you might be able to think of the arch as the front support and add a couple of tee's and ell's to your stainless camper enclosure frame at the rear to support something as light as an inflatable or single man kayak in an inverted position, the rocket launchers may not be a problem if you can use them to your advantage as a hook to keep the lateral movement down to a minimum.
 
Casey, I like the idea of using the arch with (rod holders removed) for a rear support for your kayak and adding a forward crossbar, or just using a closed cell block of form that is sold for carrying kayaks on top of cars.
I carry a small inflatable kayak and find that I need to raise the back high enough to clear the bimini top. (about 5 or6 inches)I can't tell how high your bimini is but it looks as if it is 3 or 4 inches higher than the cabin top. I use the foam blocks to hold the kayak down, and they work very well.

I would think that this would be the simplest solution, and if it doesn't work, then you can go to the more extreme cutting and welding and bending and .........

Robbi
 
First do some measuring on kayaks of the type you would be interested as they are not all very tall in the stern and with removal of a rod holder or two could fit. Otherwise, I would have a single forward arch fabricated (with two feet on each side for stability) at the same height as the rear arch and put kayak saddles directly on the bars front and back to hold a boat nicely. The simple (landshark) saddles from yakima come with round bar mounts that may work and if they don't you can use stainless u-bolts from Lowes very easily to mount them to the bars. I would bet the forward bar would be cheaper than extensions for the rear and it would give you full width load hauling and a great place to mount things you will use.

Alternative would be to remove and sell the rear bar, mount your antennas on a simple tower on one corner of the roof or directly on the roof using the existing holes and add a roof rack to the roof for flexible hauling of goods.

We are liking our rack and it was easy to add once we found the right parts:

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
 
Casey, my new used C-16 has rocket launchers that are partially removable. Hard to describe them but when the tubes are pulled out of their sockets, you can easily lay an inflatable on top. It was a very creative mod, both inexpensive and sturdy. Soon as I get some time I'll take some closeup photos and describe it better. Since you're in no hurry, a few days won't matter much but if I go much longer without updating you, remind me again.

Don
 
You could attach a 1" stainless tube across the top of your rocket launcher tubes using "rod handle" extensions welded or clamped to the 1" tube. I believe that I saw some short clamp on tower hardware that would work for the purpose at West Marine. Hold it down to your rocket launcher rack with bungee cords, straps, or line. Add a forward support like a Yak rack or foam blocks and you would be able to carry your kayaks without permanently modifying your rocket launchers.

I use Yak racks on Morning Star and like the ease of throwing the kayaks on top of the boat for exploring back waters. There are pictures of my Yak rack installation on my Website, http://www.telltales.net/morningstar.
 
OK, Casey, I got out and took a couple of photos. The original owner of the Honky Dory was definitely a fisherman. He created spots to stow 18 rods!!!!

The most creative rocket launchers I've ever seen were built out of his need to carry a dingy on the roof.

The entire package can be built from Schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings found at Home Despot with a couple of bolts thrown in.

The base uses a combination of tees with PVC end caps at the outer ends. They were originally adjusted for angle before hitting the joints with PVC adhesive. Once adjusted, a bolt holds it firmly in place using the existing SS handrail.

Probably the most difficult job was creating the actual rod holders. It looks like he may have made a jig and used a router to carve out the reel slots because they are all very well made.

Each "rocket" tube is hand pressed into the tees and are very sturdy. When he wanted to carry his dinghy, he just pulled the tubes to clear the roof.

Might not be the prettiest setup but it does match the manufactured rod holders and could probably be spruced up with a little sanding and polishing.

Base.sized.jpg


Launch_tube.sized.jpg


Launcher_partially_loaded.sized.jpg


Hope this helps

Don
 
Hi Casey

After re-reading your original post, doing something with PVC won't solve the 12 holes left from removing the old launcher. (sigh) A good glass guy would make short work of that. I filled a couple of mistakes on the Jenny B without a problem - but I had a can of original gel coat and matching colors wasn't necessary. That's usually my downfall. I'm not good at matchmaking.

Don
 
Hi,
You might consider leaving the radar arch and rocket launcher as it is and fabricating a mount for the kayak that slides into the exiting rod holders. A couple of pvc tubes with starboard running in between the tubes cut to match the bottom contour of the kayak. The front mount can be fastened to the roof rails using a pvc T sliced in half and hose clamped to the roof rail. extending up off the two T's you could once again bridge with starboard cut to contour the bottom of your yak. The concept would be the kayak could be loaded from the front and would be riding at a downward angle sloping slightly to the front as not catch the wind to try and lift off and fly. Strap it down using the roof rails and the radar arch rocket launcher.
my 2 cents

D.D.
 
Actually, I decided to bite-the-bullet and order one of the NRS' GigBob fisherman floats, to see how it would work in the available space on the cabin top. (I mentioned the NRS "GigBob" in another recent thread.)

The GigBob is actually two floats in one. Using only the seat and top deck, it's a kick boat that is 6.5' in length and 3'10" wide (it should fit slightly inside the toprails on the CC23 cabin). If the the bottom pontoons are used it's 8" long and 4' in width. I will probably leave the large pontoons deflated and rolled-up most of the time.

It's not a kayak, but I suspect it'll be fun to play with. ...stay tuned for a Lake Powell field report!

Best,
Casey
 
Casey, I think the design of the GigBob is pretty cool. I would
like one for ff. I'm looking forward to your reports from Lake Powell.

Robbi
 
Hey Robbi,

Yea, I thought it was a pretty novel item.

As most of the NRS videos show, the GigBob was intended for flyfishing on rivers and lakes. This will be a new application for it, and it'll be interesting to see how it works out.

Wouldn't it be fun if we found a totally 'new use for the product?

I'm thinking of the GigBob mostly as a toy, but with potentially useful applications. At the moment I don't have any sort of emergency floatation on Katmai - and this may be a little like an ultra-emergency liferaft that I can use at play around in anchorages. Stay tuned.

Best,
Casey
 
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