New rocket launcher for the Whaler
Finally fixed the one thing I really hated about the Boston Whaler Conquest 235.....the lack of overhead rod holders (only 3) and the fact they were too low and me and my deckies have hit them with our head several times, resulting in a lot of swearing.
Called a few local boat fab joints but either they did not call back, costs were stupid or they could not do it for ages.....ended up getting an ebay special S/S 7 rod rocket launcher for $280. My expectations were pretty low but when it arrived on my door step 4 days later it was better than expected, but had a dodgy bolted section to join 3 of the holders with the other 4, presumably to make transport cheaper.....
Time to finally learn how to TIG weld (I used to be pretty good on MIG).......result was I managed to stick the two bits of S/S tube together, but I aint giving up my day job anytime soon......angle grinder and buff made a decent end product (too embarrassed to put up any photos....). Plenty of cutting, heart in mouth stuff cutting off these beautiful rod holders, but thoughts of blood dribbling down my forehead eased the pain........
Lots of grinding......
Final fitup.
And hey presto. Less than $340 all up including everything and a days work.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
.thumbnail.jpg "My old man's sailfish")
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
solid improvement.did you
solid improvement.
did you choose the new angle (upright) or governed by the launchers you ordered.
i ask as i want to add to my launchers (5) which are laid back a LOT, leaves me a heap of room for a few more to stand upright above the existing launchers.
how is the quallity of the new launchers?
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
I chose them more upright
I chose them more upright angle specifically as when they are laid back, they get on the way when your casting.
Quality WAY better than the price tag would have suggested, nice welds, fully polished and plastic liners inside each rod holder.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
cheers for the reply. i
i tend to side cast as my launchers are laid back a hell of a lot, even harder when rods are in the side instead of up top.
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Good job mate. Its satisfing
Good job mate. Its satisfing knowing you've done it yourself.
Your not wrong about the orginal rod holders being low. The orginal owner must if been a midget going by the pics.
Abit hard to tell by pics , did you bolt the mounting plate to the orginal bar work?
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
went and had a look at Tbones
went and had a look at Tbones new Barcrusher today, very impressive rig!
Sorry John, but that aint a rod holder, THIS is a rodholder!
http://fishwrecked.com/files/imagecache/forum_preview/t%20bone/IMG_3302.jpg
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
well.......... that is were
well.......... that is were i got the idea from
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Nice work John
Somewhere to put my rods one day haha
Naughty naughty using grinding disc, should use a flapper disc on aly
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Humpback
Posts: 103
Date Joined: 15/01/15
bar work on 235 conquest
Hey John im relatively new to site as a member but have been looking at site without comment for many years. I used to own the same boat as you and at 6 3 in the old scale was always taking skin of my bald head. sold the boat two years ago to a young bloke on this site (whaler 235) so I hope he reads your comments and can also do the upgrade.
Great job well done.
ps// my new boat is a 25 outrage I love the new rig. The rod holders are higher so no contact with said melon but whaler still only do 5 which is a bit light so one day might look at same upgrade.
Again well done on 1st grade job.
mcrosmar1
Posts: 39
Date Joined: 01/04/14
looking nice
looking nice
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
When you gonna hit up your
When you gonna hit up your old man to take you out on my boat for another fish Marcus??????
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
As usual, nice work
As usual, nice work John
cheers
Markie
Posts: 2153
Date Joined: 06/08/10
great work johnny
great work johnny
mcrosmar1
Posts: 39
Date Joined: 01/04/14
i will ask him soon i havent
i will ask him soon i havent had a fish in a while
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Nice work mate - she's all
Nice work mate - she's all ready for some Abrolhos runs by the looks :-)
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.