SUBJECT: # 35470: Make a rocket launcher for a Bimini Top

Submitted by greg from GEORGIA on 7/14/01 6:49:00 PM

I have always loved fishing on a boat with a nice hard top and an overhead rocket launcher rod holder. Its the only way to go to keep expensive rods up and out of the way. I hate having tackle under foot something always gets broken. I decided when I got my boat the first thing I was going to do was to have a nice hard top and rocket launcher made. I priced the job several places and soon discovered that I'd have more in the rod holder than in the boat. So I set out to work on a rocket launcher that would work with a Bimini Top. With these links you will see how I did it and how you can do it too spending maybe 10 or 12 bucks. It works great! I can fill it with several 4/0's and run from spot to spot with no problem, although I don't recommend putting a bunch of heavy tackle up there and then hauling ass in heavy seas. This system is perfect for getting all unused tackle up and out of the way when bottom fishing. I've used mine for 2 years now with perfect results.

Take a look.....

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-1.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-2.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-3.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-4.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-5.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-6.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-7.jpg

http://www.bigsplashinc.com/page-8.jpg

1. 7/14/01 10:36:00 PM Submitted by Longfisher (66.25.63.68) from TEXAS says Hmmm...looks great. But do I also spy some halogen lights on the rig (pic 1)?
   That rig looks great. I too have a boat on which I'm reluctant to add a hard top or T top and I use a bimini all the time (sun's a brute in Texas even in the wee hours of the morning).

   Have opted in the past for the attachment of rail clamp rod holders onto the verticle or near-verticle frame members of the bimini. Works fine but the rods are a bit more in the cockpit than I'd like and they're definitely overhead the cockpit when I'd like to cast (have become adept at the sidearm cast as a consequence).

   Your rig would eliminate that problem. I very much like the provision for holding the whole thing with a nylon strap so one could store heavier rods and reels. Perhaps, a second strap in the opposite direction would also help stabalize the rig?

   Also, don't I see a pair of halogen lights on the rig in figure 1. If so, would you care to comment on them? I'd love to mount some of these on my bimini for night fishing offshore.

   Thanks for the great post. This sort of post is what the message board should be about rather than some the childish things I see on the Texas board.

   Thanks again,

   LongFisher

   ---

2. 7/15/01 1:37:00 AM Submitted by Billy Jack from TEXAS says Bimini tops, T-tops, SHADE?
   Great post Greg. I'm still printing. I have a 21 1/2 ft Cajun CC and am looking for a top. Too many choices. I know I need the 54" since I am tall, but what about length, 6 or 8ft. I don't want to overdo it, but want some nice shade for me and clients in this summer heat. I don't think I can afford a T-top. Also I do some fly-fishing and it looks like a T-top would be in the way. Any advice from Bimini Top users would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jack

   ---

3. 7/15/01 10:02:00 AM Submitted by Longfisher (66.25.63.68) from TEXAS says Oops! Missed the 2nd Strap. See it now. Thanks again
   no msg.

   LongFisher

   ---

4. 7/15/01 10:06:00 AM Submitted by John Newell from TEXAS says Hey Greg ?
   What software did you use to do those drawings? It looks great!

   ---

5. 7/15/01 1:52:00 PM Submitted by greg (64.39.129.53) from GEORGIA says Spreader lights
   Thanks Longfisher,

   I really enjoyed reading your responce. Yes I do in fact have a pair of halogen lights on my personal rig. They're real easy to install. Just drill a hole in each side of the attaching assembly where you want the lights to be, bolt the lights on at that point using the hardware providedwith your lights. Drill another 1/4" hole behind the light to feed the wires through. Slide the wires through the PVC and down the bimini strut to the gunnel. Drill a small hole in the gunnel and feed the wires through that. Run the wires to your switxh box and your done.

   It works GREAT!

   If you want I'll send you a picture of my rig and diagram how I did it.

   Please let me know if you actually build one and how you like it. I love mine its one of my favorite features on my boat.

   I also made a set of verticle PVC rod holders I use as I run in and out offshore. When I get where I'm going I then transfer my rods up top once I start fishing. This eliminates the strain in the Bimini during the often bouncy ride out and back. I usually leave the rods up most of the day while trolling or looking for grouper. I do reccomend using the straps from the top of the rod holder assembly to the front of the Bimini. This really makes a differience in stability of the unit.

   If you have any improvements or suggestions as you build yours let me know.

   To John Newell I used a vector illustration program called Freehand. Its I use it in my business and I think its pretty easy to use. Much easier tha Adobe Illustrator

   Thanks for all the interest Greg Hatcher

   ---

6. 7/15/01 2:15:00 PM Submitted by fishhead (208.31.76.2) from OHIO says straps b jack...arrrr....
   bimini tops are good for shade & you can put them away but.. the straps get in the way of the fishing and on a center console the straps cover more area. but t tops dont provide much shade at high noon if over the console.

   best guess?

   ---

7. 7/15/01 5:31:00 PM Submitted by Longfisher (66.25.63.68) from TEXAS says Fishhead, But the straps are out of the way completely on a Cuddy, like mine.
   Yep, I'll bet the straps would be a real pain on a CC. But on my cuddy they're out of the way provided you affix them to the cuddy and not the gunwale. So, perhaps these bimini rigs are best suited for cuddies?

   LongFisher

   ---

8. 7/15/01 6:08:00 PM Submitted by fishhead (208.31.76.2) from OHIO says I agree,
   yours don't look bad at all for that type boat, still plenty of room to fish.

   ---

9. 7/15/01 11:42:00 PM Submitted by Longfisher (66.25.63.68) from TEXAS says Greg, thanks for the pics of the actual rig. Couple of Questions.
   Greg:

   I got the other pics. Thanks.

   I did notice that the rocket launcher seemed to be sagging in the middle from the pics. Of course, on the drawings it does not as they're idealized.

   Is the sagging serious and does it interfere with the functioning of the rig? Have you given any thought as to how to prevent or minimize it?

   Thanks,

   LongFisher

   ---

10. 7/16/01 7:10:00 AM Submitted by Michael (208.30.110.109) from St. Croix says strenthening launcher
    I once built a bimini top for my previous 16' completely out of pvc and even made outriggers that would screw together for a length of 10'. By getting creative with standard bimini hardware I was able to attach to the boat and attach the outriggers to the frame for a cost of less than 50.00. The only thing that I did use was dowel rods inside the pvc to strengthen /stiffen the frame. I really like the design of your launcher and would suggest using dowels at least in the holder unit for added support. I have been toying with something along your idea for awhile but my drawback is the height of my top. It's approx 6'6" off deck so reaching another 1 1/2 -2' to put the rods in is a problem. Still working on it though. Keep up the good ideas and posts. Sorry so long Michael

    ---

11. 7/16/01 9:10:00 AM Submitted by greg (64.39.129.53) from GEORGIA says Sagging
    The one in the photo does sag a little but not as badly as the photo shows. The lens on the camera seems to have amplified the problem. This was the first one I made and I did have some design changes I incorporated into the new design. The main change would be I shortened the distance between the attachment assembly and the rod holder assembly. This eliminates the sag fairly well. As you can see in the photo I sent the length is way more than 4 inches I specified in the drawing.

    You can also blow "Great Stuff" foam in thin wall PVC and this will stiffen it very well without the additional weight that wood dowels add.

    I'm working on an improved model that incorporate the changes I put in the drawings I posted. I'll send photos when I'm finished.

    Greg

    ---