So I've been using the CastMate system, OB style (on top of the floats of the Outcast...not on the sides) and its been great.
Nothing like having a 1" pipe to mount stuff to. But it has come with a price:
* as its not designed to mount on TOP of the Outcast tube, its really not wide enough to straddle the pockets. The CastMate system encroaches on the pockets, crushing down one side or the other, really stealing storage room
* the CastMate system has a fixed, curved plastic spreader bar - and its really not in the right place
* the CastMate system only has ONE plastic spreader bar.... and its mounted at one end... so the other side gets to flap in the breeze (they will not sell you another set of the plastic spreader bars... even though the system is drilled for them)
Its a decent system that could be better.
I'm working on widening the main 1" aluminum pipes, using marine-grade boat rail connectors. This will let me bend pipe into a favorable curve in front AND IN BACK - making the system more stable read: better video more stable rod holders), while also widening it about an inch to clear the Outcast pockets and maximize storage.
I'll still use the Kayak Strap mount system I devised to hold the bars to the float... but it will just be wider and more stable, now.
Currently bending 3/4" EMT for my proof-of-concept model (in the pics). I'll gravel fill and bend 1" OD Aluminum pipe for the production model.
So far, the first side is working out very well.
Next steps:
* Build both sides using 1" OD Aluminum pipe (I bought an 8' section from Amazon on the cheap)
* Work in the stabilizing bar / Hard deck. Outcast tubes don't have stabilizing bars like Caddis and some of the others. Enterprise 1.0 has been using a bar I fashioned and its been great. I have some ideas for an elevated hard deck that will negate the need for the non-removable stabilizer bar I'm using now. That will come next week
* Add the second battery for on-board phone power / GoPro power and lighting. I'm currently using bicycle lights for safety lights...I want to have a light on the hard deck for knots and such at dark, as well as LEDs all around for safety / night fishing.
More as I progress with 2.0
- Ken
Top-Mount CastMate encroaching on the storage pocket See how it isn't wide enough to fully clear the storage pocket?
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Enterprise 2.0 Clearance You can see, the bent EMT clears the pocket completely.
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The CastMate plastic spreader bar You can see, it is wide, and in a fixed location that is sub-optimal. It takes up a lot of room on the front end of the float.
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Enterprise 2.0 bent Bar Not only does this bar take up much less room on the float, by doing so it gives me more mounting options.
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The CastMate system has only one spreader bar Despite the aluminum rails being pre-drilled for two. This makes the system inherently flexy. I've mitigated some of that with my Kayak strap mounting...but it really needs a back spreader bar.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Enterprise 20 System has a spreader bar in the front AND the back
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Curved bar detail front and back. Using EMT for now in the model. I'll bend 1" OD Aluminum next week to replace the EMT.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Nothing like having a 1" pipe to mount stuff to. But it has come with a price:
* as its not designed to mount on TOP of the Outcast tube, its really not wide enough to straddle the pockets. The CastMate system encroaches on the pockets, crushing down one side or the other, really stealing storage room
* the CastMate system has a fixed, curved plastic spreader bar - and its really not in the right place
* the CastMate system only has ONE plastic spreader bar.... and its mounted at one end... so the other side gets to flap in the breeze (they will not sell you another set of the plastic spreader bars... even though the system is drilled for them)
Its a decent system that could be better.
I'm working on widening the main 1" aluminum pipes, using marine-grade boat rail connectors. This will let me bend pipe into a favorable curve in front AND IN BACK - making the system more stable read: better video more stable rod holders), while also widening it about an inch to clear the Outcast pockets and maximize storage.
I'll still use the Kayak Strap mount system I devised to hold the bars to the float... but it will just be wider and more stable, now.
Currently bending 3/4" EMT for my proof-of-concept model (in the pics). I'll gravel fill and bend 1" OD Aluminum pipe for the production model.
So far, the first side is working out very well.
Next steps:
* Build both sides using 1" OD Aluminum pipe (I bought an 8' section from Amazon on the cheap)
* Work in the stabilizing bar / Hard deck. Outcast tubes don't have stabilizing bars like Caddis and some of the others. Enterprise 1.0 has been using a bar I fashioned and its been great. I have some ideas for an elevated hard deck that will negate the need for the non-removable stabilizer bar I'm using now. That will come next week
* Add the second battery for on-board phone power / GoPro power and lighting. I'm currently using bicycle lights for safety lights...I want to have a light on the hard deck for knots and such at dark, as well as LEDs all around for safety / night fishing.
More as I progress with 2.0
- Ken
Top-Mount CastMate encroaching on the storage pocket See how it isn't wide enough to fully clear the storage pocket?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Enterprise 2.0 Clearance You can see, the bent EMT clears the pocket completely.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The CastMate plastic spreader bar You can see, it is wide, and in a fixed location that is sub-optimal. It takes up a lot of room on the front end of the float.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Enterprise 2.0 bent Bar Not only does this bar take up much less room on the float, by doing so it gives me more mounting options.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The CastMate system has only one spreader bar Despite the aluminum rails being pre-drilled for two. This makes the system inherently flexy. I've mitigated some of that with my Kayak strap mounting...but it really needs a back spreader bar.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Enterprise 20 System has a spreader bar in the front AND the back
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Curved bar detail front and back. Using EMT for now in the model. I'll bend 1" OD Aluminum next week to replace the EMT.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]