DIY $3 Hobie Rod Leash
 

So you spent all your money buying a new Hobie kayak and you have no funds left over for accessories? Fear not.

Introducing the $3 Hobie Rod Leash

Supplies:

2 ft of 1/4 Shockcord (bungee) - $0.90
1 - Bungee Terminal End - $1.00
1 - Bungee Clip and Collar - $1.05
1 - Piece of gum (needed something to make up the extra 5 cents)

Tools:

Screwdriver

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/steamroll/1.jpg



Step 1 - Locate Rod Holder Cover
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/steamroll/2.jpg


Step 2 - Remove Rod Holder Cover and Screw
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...amroll/3-4.jpg


Step 3 - Attach Bungee Terminal End to one end of the shock cord
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/steamroll/5.jpg


Step 4 - Attach Clip and Collar to the other end of the shock cord
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...amroll/6-2.jpg


Step 5 - Your bungee should look like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...amroll/7-4.jpg


Step 6 - Attach Bungee Terminal End to the kayak using the same screw that you removed in step 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...amroll/8-2.jpg


Step 7 - Clip onto a rod and go fish
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/steamroll/9.jpg



:sifone:

Nate...you're my hero.

Nice, clean and not to mention cheap set up! Thanks for the post.:)

should have my outback next weekend, this will come in handy. why not keep the cap?

Whats the break strength on these guys? Luckily ive never gone over, from the boards experience are these more for flipping over or large fish insurance?

I just want to know where you found gum for 5 cents?

Genius!

/bing

No kidding!

Great tip Nate!

Great idea Nate. Cheap, clean and unobtrusive. For those who do not want to mess with clipping and unclipping the leash to the rod, here is another solution posted a few weeks ago. With this device you can leash or unleash a rod very quickly and easily which means some of us who tend to get a little lazy at times, might actually do it.


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I have to thank Fongman for this great rod leash idea. I modified his idea a bit so it works best for me. Go to Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe's or just about anywhere and pick up some tarp tie-downs. You can use them right out of the package or modify them as I did by adding a rubber sleeve which makes them rigid.

Attach them to every rod holder. When you have a rod in the holder, simply stretch the bungee over the reel handle and your gear will stay on board during just about any disaster. Here are some photos.

Bob

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/a...6&d=1274131925

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/a...7&d=1274131925
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more sweet ideas
south of the border... :o

Nate's leash will work great for rods and other things that you do not want to lose overboard but I can think of an even better application. Attach one of these leashes near the forward hatch on any Hobie and you have the perfect leash for a Mirage Drive.

If this was standard equipment on all Hobies, I bet we would stop hearing the stories about lost Mirage Drives. Next time I am in O'side, I plan to stop in at OEX to pick up the parts to make one of these for my Revo.

Thanks for the great idea Nate. This one should be reposted to the Innovations thread.

Bob

Bob,

the bungee clips are not made for heavy-duty applications. They have 2 weak points: 1) they are only held onto the bungee by two plastic barbs and 2) the plastic tab used to close the hook are prone to breaking. I have a rarely-used bungee with these clips on both ends and both tabs are missing.

The concern with the barbs is that too much weight may stretch the bungee to the point where the barbs fail. To test the holding strength of the bungee/clip, I attached the bungee cord to my peddles and then vigorously bounced it up and down. It bottomed out a few times, but did not slip. The barbs passed the test. However, I would still be concerned that, over time as the rubber cord ages, the barbs may loose their holding ability.

I personally would feel better doubling the bungee over the swivel portion of a brass snap hook and using a SS hog ring to secure it.


btw, thanks for the props! I'm glad you were able to find a way to use the leash idea.