top rack & rod holders

C

captd

New member
C-Brats,
Well, it is finally under construction. all stainless. Deck plates will be diamond plate aluminum until I find something better. Pin seat will be in the middle with a detachable rail right around the seat. Rod boxes will be built for each side. With rod holders on the back end of the rack. to be used with out riggers.
Rod holders on bar across the back by the engines. I got some of the ideas for these, right here on the good old C-Brats spot. It is farther along than these pictures, I'll see if I can take photos tomorrow. Expected to weigh about 100 lbs plus.

Leaving for Florida on Thanksgiving day. Plan on cruising the gulf, keys and heading for the Bahamas in Feb. We have made reservations next door to Nippers on Iguana Cay for two weeks allowing familly to come down. We probably will need a shower by than, Huh? :lol:

Capt D
 
Frame is just tack welded. It is much farther along than this. I will take some pictures tomorrow. Rocket launcher is done. side boxes to build yet.
They will hold either lots of rods or about four rods and reels together. Seven footers. The rack will carry a travel boot going to the Bahamas. Living aboard for a few weeks require a place to put things so they are out from under foot. Crossing the gulf stream, all will be down on the deck.

Capt D
 
Let us know what effect that metal has on your radar picture. You might find out that you need to put the antenna up on a short pedestal, at least. Looks nice..

Charlie
 
You are right Charlie, That why we had the rack extend forward, just in case. If it is a problem we would just put a bar across with a plate.
Capt D
 
Capt D -

I like it. I like it a lot. The idea and the design are great, and I'm anxious to see the finished pics with the seat in place. The rod storage boxes will be perfect. Excellent project.

Only trouble is that when I went to look at the pictures, half the morning disappeared while I looked over all the other pics in your album - again. You really know how to use a boat.

Thanks for showing us.
 
:mrgreen: :shock: :smileo CPT D: BUSTED !!! I too got caught up in your pics… Great stuff. On the rack, looks great and can not wait for final finished product, with the same concern on the effects on the radar. Interested in that result. I too have a little roof work to do. Looking at installing an AC on the roof of FreeByrd. Too many real hot nights and very high humidity for good sleeping for 3 or 4 moths of the year without a little AC, especially if I ever plan to get Sherryl to stay overnight. Burned a lot of ice blowing the fan over an open cooler. Where did you take the 29Dec03 picture of the 22 catching the breaking wave in the surf on her starboard side? I just thought I was having a tuff day when towing FreeByrd thru the Redwood Forest in CA while avoiding the closed I-5 on the CA/OR border due to the snow storm… Made an average of 32mph for 12 hours travel time in the sleet, rain, fog, TREES…and very narrow winding turns… I had a good day. How long do you plan to stay in the Bahamas next spring? I would like to make that trip with another D-Dory owner at some point. Byrdman
 
Brydman,
That picture was in Rincon de Guayabitoes in Mexico. Mooring came apart.
We will be in the Bahamas for about a month and a half this time. You would love it. Much better than Mexico.
Capt D
 
C-Brats,
Plates are to be screwed in today. should be mounted on boat today. Maybe no time to build the rod boxes, but I have 5 inch by 5 inch fiber glass boxes that I can bungee on for this year. About the same color as the boat. Can either go on top or up under the wings.

Gee it is fun to add goodies to the C-Dory. I hope it works out good. I don't think it is too heavy. Site fishing on top is only done in pretty flat water. I will try to get a good weight estimate on the whole affair. The detachable cage around the fisherman won't weigh much.
Good possibility I'll have to raise the radar.
When it is all done, I will take pictures with the ladder and pin seat in place. Sometime this week I hope.
Capt D
 
Looks as if you will be returning prior to me being able to get over to Bahamas. Do keep me posted and updated on your trip. James on Molly Brown makes that trip. Looks like some of your fishing pictures are for sure in the back of a TomCat. Be careful on topside.... gravity always wins :mrgreen: :mrgreen: ... I like what you are doing and look forward to seeing more pics and updates. I would love to be able to mount a couple of chairs top side on FreeByrd for summer night cruising with the remote control to the auto pilot in hand. I love to just put one motor in gear, turn up some music, enjoy the stars and a beverage :beer :beer or two. Had been looking at making a "Box" to put a cooler cusion on the front deck, but why stop there when you can go up top. Watch those weight ratio's as you and your gear go above the center weight line, but you are more than likely all over that. You could always just fill a barrell on its side in the cockpit floor if the numbers get too close for some quick, cheap, easy removable weight.
 
Byrdman,
You know, I have been told that my idea won,t work, but after walking around the side to go forward many many times. With just me on the boat, it really feels stable to me. I don't expect to put a lot of weight up there for fishing. extra rods and reels plus gaff. Maybe extra clothes or beer heading for the Bahamas. (It use to be $18.00 a six pack) . Probably worse now. It will be nice just to have a place to put things before bed time.
I weigh 250 lbs. If a boat is loaded with 52 gals gas and live bail tank is full (20 gal) plus carrying another 20 gal of fresh water, plus grocerys. plus wife. ( She is movable ballast.) I think it will work just fine. Guy can always take some weight down in a pinch.
I'll report back even if it is embarrassing.

Hey you better gets some pictures in your album.

Capt D
 
I am guessing that the seat is for sight fishing or spotting fish or birds.
I am following this thread with interest...
I would not operate the radar if ANYONE were topside, period.
Can we get a pic of it installed with the "boarding ladder" in place?
Do you have a mount for the boarding ladder off the bow? I have been thinking about this idea too....
I'd love to pick your brain about traveling Mexico and abroad.
Maybe we can get together or share contact info?
I have a sabatical coming up (8 weeks off with pay) and have not yet planned anything.... well not firmly anyway.
 
For the cold water fishermen,
Sight fishing is correct. Cobia in particular. Red fish another. On the Gulf from Panama City, all the way down ( the whole Gulf and Atlantic coast) you will see all kinds of setups for spotting Cobia. I have seen row boats with step ladders duct taped down to the seat.
Cobia swim right under the surface close into the surf and around any large floating object. You need to get as high as possible to see them. These fish run 70 to 100 lbs and are fierce fighters. Red fish do what they call "tailing" Being high is a big advantage. They can weight 20 to 30 lbs. Both are good eating. That seat is an ajustable up or down as well as a leaning post. The back side is cupped. Being a pin seat, you can pick it right up and use it in another spot like in the cockpit or up on the bow. The seat is only up on top when fishing for these kind of fish. And maybe to have an beer in the evening before bed time A small railing will surround that seat when fishing and it is removed just as easy. Next picture will show boarding ladder right up from the cockpit to the seat.
I can understand the skeptisism from people who fish in the Great North West. That water is cold. Where I fish it would feel kind of good to fall in from time to time. I was looking at the Red Fox's album and how magnificent. His pictures are truly a work of art. One thing that caught my eye immediately was all that Ice and snow in them. I wouldn't have a seat on top living there. I was raised in Minnesota and have lived in Montana for about 40 years. At my age I need to fish and swim where it is warm.

We spend a lot of time living aboard and carry too much junk. This rack allows us to put a pod on top and get things out from under foot. Once we get on the Banks in the Bahamas a little extra weight on top won't hurt. Crossing the Gulf Stream, all weight will be in the bottom of the boat.

We have crossed the Stream, probably 15 to 20 times and would enjoy any C-Dory couple that would like to travel with us. We know the Abacos very well. We would share any info with any Member, on Bahamas or Mexico.

Capt D
 
CPT D: Always remember that THE most succesful boat of our world was built by one man, Noah. And to the other extreme, one of the largest failures was the Titanic, built by several teams of the best educated engineers!! GO FOR IT !! :!: :!: Working on put'n some pics in albumn. Just changed duty assignments and have most pics at home. Will give it a shot with what I have.
Byrdman
 
Brydman,
You are right about some of my pictures, they are from a Tom Cat. Fred bought his Boat in Crystal River, Fla. I fished with him in his boat a few times in Rincon, Mexico . He had it down there for the last two years. That one was a tough boat to launch and tougher yet to pick it up. All over sand. With a floaton trailer, you have to get way out in the water.
Capt D
 
:roll: :x Correct on the way in the water, and hard to load. Working with both C-Dory folks and EZ-Loader folks on some trailer issues. It is great to be part of a team where owner, factory of both the boat and trailer have the same intent of providing a quality rig that is USED, not just sits around. It has gotten better each time with a little knowledge, but as is, basically float off/up & back up, then pull forward, hold aft end square and straight to make a "T" with the bow loop hooked to the trailer, and "inch up the ramp real slow :arrow: :arrow: :disgust and hope for very little current and or wind and a soft, straight landing... :D I do miss being able to just get that 16' cruiser's nose hooked up and if alignment is/was off, just pick up the back end and set it down where you want it and hook up the straps. But owe ain't she sweeeet :teeth :teeth when she is in the water!!!
 
Sea Brats,
Sorry for the poor qaulity of the pictures. :moon
Loading to leave for Florida on Thanksgiving day. Stopping for dinner about 100 miles at familly and next morning will be getting serious about getting to a warmer spot.
I'll take some pictures in the morning outside and it should give a lot better idea. I have put the travel pod on top for extra storage. I couldn't put the crows nest on in the warehouse for the sake of picture. Ceiling is to low. After we get back home in the spring, I should have some decent pictures on the water. Bahamas, here we come.
We will put the internet on vacation after tomarrow.
I wish all you C-Brats Happy Holidays and have a good winter. :xlol

Capt D
 
Have a great time and thank you for sharing. You are living my warm water dreams. Between you and Red Fox I won't know wether I'm coming or going...

I'll be looking forward to your updates and pictures...
 
Capt D -

I hope this year's trip is the best yet! Have fun and good luck.

The top rack and all its trimmings looks great. It will surely serve you well.

Spring is a long time to wait for the pictures, but we will be waiting.

Enjoy!
 
Thanks guys,
Next pictures from me will be about six months from now. Hope most will be big fish and nice anchorages. We will be using underwater video (color)
to peek into the Grouper holes and some of the coral heads. I don't know if I can post that kind of thing or not. Guess we'll see.

Have a good one :xlol
Capt D
 
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