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So I bought a Ram mount rod holder about two weeks ago and began looking for ways to mount it. I didn't want any holes in my yak so I turned to the Slide Trax. However the price of mounts were pricey, atleast 20-25 dollars, and I'm a broke college kid. I also didnt think the individual Screwball from Yakattack would hold a Rockfish on it. Below is a write-up on how to make a custom mounting plate for whatever you want, whether it be a Scotty, Ram, FF, WHATEVER. And I think I made mine for under 5 dollars!! I haven't had a monster fish on it yet but I am extremely confident in the mount. I picked up my entire Tarpon 160 up with the ONE Ram mounted on the rear track.
This is a PROTOTYPE and it is UNREFINED. With a little more time and a little more shine it will look professional
MATERIALS:
1. 1 - Cutting Board (Took mine from my home used, probably 3/8" thick)
2. 2 - 1/4" Square Nuts
3. 4 - 1/4" Inside Diameter Fender Washers
4. 2 - 1/4" x approx 1" SS bolts
5. 4 - Size 8 (<1/4") SS bolts <<<This is for RAM MOUNT modify per your needs
6. 4 - Size 8 Nuts <<<Again modify per needs
METHODS:
1. Cut Cutting board to desired length and width. I used a Jigsaw but pretty much anything will work. I used a belt sander to round the edges roughly.
*this is where the "time and shine" would increase looks 10 fold.
2. Place your mount on top of mounting plate and mark holes for drilling. I used the fender washers to help with even spacing.
3. Drill holes for bolts (size 8 in my case) I used a hand drill, but a press would be helpful.
I'll explain step 4 first then hit you with all the pics at once. I got this idea from looking at the manufactured mounts.
*NOTE: This step can be accomplished other ways, but I found this to be easiest and cleanest finished product.
4. Thread size 8 nuts onto a long bolt, or all thread, and heat the nut using a flame source (gas stove in my case). Once the nut is fairly hot guide the bolt into pre-drilled holes and press nut into bottom of mounting plate. Dunk in water to cool.
This is a pic of the size 8 nuts sunk into the mounting plates. They are flush and smooth with the bottom of the mounting plate. They slide smoothly, and will never scratch your yak. *again some time and effort will make this look very professional
5. Bolt down the mount of your choice to the mounting plate, and measure for the holes to attach to the Slide Trax. Drill holes and place 1/4" SS bolts into holes with 1/4" ID Fender Washers.
THAT COMPLETES THE MOUNTING PLATE!!!!
Now onto attaching it to the Slide Trax. I am using a VERY CRUDE method right now, it works extremely well, is extremely strong. HOWEVER it is challenging to adjust on the water IF YOU WANT TO SLIDE PAST A RIVET IN THE TRACK. The Square nut and washer will not fit over the rivet while screwed into the mounting plate. That being said here ya go.
Slide the 1/4" Inside Diameter round nut into the Slide Trax, it will fall into the bottom part of the track leave it there. Slide the 1/4" ID Fender Washer into the skinny slot in the upper part of the track, and center it over top of the square nut. Arrange in the position of your liking and bolt in your mounting plate with RAM mount. I had to grind down the 1/4" SS bolts so that I could fully tighten them without them bottoming out on the track.
Heres a Pic of how the square nut and washer will sit inside of the track
VIDEO OF INSTALLATION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rv69...ature=youtu.be
Hope you liked it.
**DISCLAIMER I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOURSELF OR YOUR EQUIPMENT DUE TO THIS DIY**
This is a PROTOTYPE and it is UNREFINED. With a little more time and a little more shine it will look professional
MATERIALS:
1. 1 - Cutting Board (Took mine from my home used, probably 3/8" thick)
2. 2 - 1/4" Square Nuts
3. 4 - 1/4" Inside Diameter Fender Washers
4. 2 - 1/4" x approx 1" SS bolts
5. 4 - Size 8 (<1/4") SS bolts <<<This is for RAM MOUNT modify per your needs
6. 4 - Size 8 Nuts <<<Again modify per needs
METHODS:
1. Cut Cutting board to desired length and width. I used a Jigsaw but pretty much anything will work. I used a belt sander to round the edges roughly.
*this is where the "time and shine" would increase looks 10 fold.
2. Place your mount on top of mounting plate and mark holes for drilling. I used the fender washers to help with even spacing.
3. Drill holes for bolts (size 8 in my case) I used a hand drill, but a press would be helpful.
I'll explain step 4 first then hit you with all the pics at once. I got this idea from looking at the manufactured mounts.
*NOTE: This step can be accomplished other ways, but I found this to be easiest and cleanest finished product.
4. Thread size 8 nuts onto a long bolt, or all thread, and heat the nut using a flame source (gas stove in my case). Once the nut is fairly hot guide the bolt into pre-drilled holes and press nut into bottom of mounting plate. Dunk in water to cool.
This is a pic of the size 8 nuts sunk into the mounting plates. They are flush and smooth with the bottom of the mounting plate. They slide smoothly, and will never scratch your yak. *again some time and effort will make this look very professional
5. Bolt down the mount of your choice to the mounting plate, and measure for the holes to attach to the Slide Trax. Drill holes and place 1/4" SS bolts into holes with 1/4" ID Fender Washers.
THAT COMPLETES THE MOUNTING PLATE!!!!
Now onto attaching it to the Slide Trax. I am using a VERY CRUDE method right now, it works extremely well, is extremely strong. HOWEVER it is challenging to adjust on the water IF YOU WANT TO SLIDE PAST A RIVET IN THE TRACK. The Square nut and washer will not fit over the rivet while screwed into the mounting plate. That being said here ya go.
Slide the 1/4" Inside Diameter round nut into the Slide Trax, it will fall into the bottom part of the track leave it there. Slide the 1/4" ID Fender Washer into the skinny slot in the upper part of the track, and center it over top of the square nut. Arrange in the position of your liking and bolt in your mounting plate with RAM mount. I had to grind down the 1/4" SS bolts so that I could fully tighten them without them bottoming out on the track.
Heres a Pic of how the square nut and washer will sit inside of the track
VIDEO OF INSTALLATION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rv69...ature=youtu.be
Hope you liked it.
**DISCLAIMER I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOURSELF OR YOUR EQUIPMENT DUE TO THIS DIY**
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