Rod Holder for Trapper canoe

grabcad

Sustainable design includes efficient use of recyclable materials, and this rod holder requires less than 500 g of stainless steel and a 75 X 75 X 25 mm block of wood. The rod holder design was strongly influenced by manufacturing considerations, with heavy use of stamping and forming due to its efficient use of material. Sustainable design can't trump function, and the functional goals that influenced this design included: (1) Security - having lost an expensive fishing rod while fishing in the ocean, I understand the need to securely attach the holder to the boat, and the rod to the holder. This design firmly clamps to the rail, and includes positive retention. Further, the mount can be loosened and slid along the rail without the possibility of falling off. Only when the knob is fully unscrewed can the base disk be lifted, allowing the clamp arms to separate enough to remove from the rail. (2) Ease of adjustment - my experience when fishing is that I my hands are cold and covered in fish slime. I wanted to ensure adjust-ability with one gloved hand. A single large knob with deep engagement features fulfills this. Possible refinements include a bronze nut insert for the knob and a velcro strap to secure the fishing rod. As currently modeled, the wood knob is threaded to clamp the rod holder. Unless a very durable wood is used, a threaded bronze insert could be pressed or glued into the wood to prolong the life. Provisions have been included in the wire rod holder for a velcro strap at the front of the rod holder. Field testing would demonstrate if this would be necessary.