The Ultimate Milkcrate

[Gunsmoke]

Below are some pictures from my newly fabricated "Ultimate Milkcrate." It measures 21" x 24" x 12" without handles. 21" x 29 1/2" x 12" with handles. It weights in at 206 pounds. If anyone is interested, I can post pictures of it during the fabrication process.

It is designed to hold 7 rods. The back side with 3 rod holders will hold up to 50W's. The front side with 4 rod holders will hold up to 30's. I designed it to take on long range tuna trips. I figure I need one 50W, one 30W, two jigging outfits, two large spinning outfits, and one bait rod.

Stainless steel eye hooks are behind the rod holders to secure the rods with bungee cords. Stainless steel screws were used throughout the fabrication. It should not move or shift no matter what size seas it will encounter. The rubber feet are solid 1 3/4" thick rubber. Handles will support 500 pounds each. Lee 90 degree medium size rod holders were selected because they are the most proven holder on the market. It is completely fiberglassed and coated with five coats of white epoxy paint.

The core of the crate is constructed with a buildup of 1 1/2" of 12 ply plywood. The plywood core was filled with concrete to gain some weight. I will need someone to help me lift this beast onto the boat. It's one very well constructed heavy milkcrate that will not have to be tied down to the deck. It should not shift or move what so ever.

[awesum]

Originally Posted by MrBill

They say: No Screws, No Drilling, No Hassle.

I say: No drilling, no screws equal major rod and reel damage.


Have you ever seen what happens to rod holders that aren't secured by either welding, screwing or thru bolting?
Have you ever seen what happens to those plastic injection rod holders on a rough day?

Somehow I managed to allow this thread to reach 86 posts before I opened it. Now I wish I hadna cuz I just spent 45 minutes reading every post....... *sigh*

I was watching Ship Shape TV the other night .... I love to watch other people work on boats.... They introduced these neat thingies called sea suckers that can be used to mount anything. They have an accessory with rod holder that could be mounted to in Igloo or Icey Tek cooler IMO. The come in two sizes that can hold up to 200 pounds. It's not a suction cup either.


Welcome to SeaSucker.com

[crazyjigr]

Mr Bill,
That thing will have to be placed on the centerline of the boat it's a hoss
You say it will not slide but if it did look out that thing would put a hurtn on ya.
I'm just giving you a hard time I really like it, I'm sure you have got all of our creative wheels turning trying to come up with milkcrate design of our own.

[Fishhead56]

From product web site.........
This is a new product and I look forward to your comments. Our toll free telephone number for questions or comments is 1 -866-577-5187 and our e-mail address is sales@HOLZSTER.com. Best wishes for a successful and safe 2008 boating season. Dean Holzmann Jr. , Pres. HOLZSTER MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.

.................................................. .................................................. ....
Head boats, flats boat, bay boat or surf fishing.............
I didn't mention peir fishing..............As far as blue water use I could see it
used to transport rigs from truck to boat while loading ice ect on a dock cart.
.................................................. .................................................. ....

Should you load it with 50's and 80's and let it bounce around the Bow in
in 3 to 5's on an 80 mile run...Nope don't think so.....
.........A Coon Ass Tool Pusher told me once..........................
"You can break a bowling ball with a dusting feather if you try hard enough"


I still think it's a cool item. But is it the Ultimate ? Of course not..
Phish Kaddie

[fathom]

Mr. Bill,
You are right ! That piece o crap igloo won't hold up either. Do not even think of picking it up loaded by those handles. The hinges last about 2 offshore trips if your lucky. The skb tackle box with 4 rod holders works well, just bungee to rail by handles.

[BretABaker]

I don't buy gear to baby it.........I protect it as much as I can, but if something gets scratched a bit i'm not going to put up a big fuss as long as it still works.

[Fishhead56]

LOL.
I've seen Mr Bill in action with SKB tackle system with 4 rod holders.
It was used to roll 4 rods from the parking area to the Long Range Tuna Charter (head boat) All reels had covers over them.
After Capt and crew boarded no others were allowed to board until the lead
deck hand (LDH) and Mr Bill's fish caddy (Son of Lawyer) who I'll name SOL,
Loaded Mr Bill's SKB tackle system, rods, bed roll and such. SOL and LDH only took a few moments to select the central upper bunk for storing Mr Bills
rods and covered reels and the central middle bunk for Mr Bills bed roll and
stash bag. SOL had the SKB tackle system properly located adjacent to the
Salons stern door. Afterwards the remainder of the party was allowed to board.
One of the last remaining bunks I located was the lower center one. (mattress on deck)
Sometime during the trip out to the fishing grounds Mr Bills portion of the bunk frame failed due to unkown reasons. Once noticed by myself from below I informed Mr Bill of the possible collapse of the bunks. Dispite fairly heavy seas
Mr Bill checked on his rods in the upper bunk and made sure they remained comfortable. Once to the fishing grounds SOL brought out the
proper rod for the conditions at that moment. It was placed in a welded rod holder w\gimble bolt until put in to action by Mr Bill. at no time during this Long Range Tuna Charter (head boat) did I notice that SOL had more than
one rod out of the bunk, it was correct for the conditions at that moment and it was either in Mr Bills capable hands or in a welded rod holder w\gimble bolt. At some time during the fishing action SOL and HM (Hyperman) did a first class job of seamenship lashing together the broken bunk frame. Thus insuring a safer ride and comfortable conditions for Mr Bill and his rods and reels with covers on them.
At trips end when the Long Range Tuna Charter (head boat) was secured to dock. SOL retreived Mr Bill's rods and placed them into the SKB tackle system with 4 rod holders. LDH kept the gang way clear as SOL rolled the combined rods and tackle system to the saftey of dry land.

From observing these events I will agree Mr Bill will not trust plastic rod holders. SKB or otherwise. He will trust welded rod holder w\gimble bolt.

[Gunsmoke]

Folks, you get what you pay for. If you can't find it, build it or have it built to your specifications. That temporary hold holder device that fits on that igloo 162 QT in the above photo looks good just sitting there. A lot of things look good just sitting there.

Take a woman for example. How many times have turned your head to look at a gorgeous woman sitting at a table. If you went up to her and asked her a question, you will probably rethink you decision as you discover she is dumb as a brick, no personality, squeaky voice and other turn offs. Only 20% of those gorgeous girls will pass the conversation test.

The next stage of taking her out, you will quickly discover about 80% of them are gold diggers, name droppers, or just looking for a free ride. If you find one that passes the two above test, take her to bedding cave. You will be in shock when you discover 50% lay there like a dead fish waiting for you to finish. If you have been following the above percentages, you are left with with less than 1 out of a 100 being perfect.

That's only the beginning. Once you start hanging around that perfect gorgeous woman for a while you will discover many other flaws. If you marry them the flaws are endless and you will never have control of you life again.

What I am trying to say, is there is no perfect woman or milkcrate. It would be cheaper in the long run to marry the ultimate milkcrate and turn it into a sex doll at night. You would even have 7 rod holder choices to take care of your needs.

Think of it. The inflatable doll milkcrate would be your ultimate partner. You can take it fishing, store your rods, put your beer on top of it, screw it, and it will never talk back to you or spend your money.

[Gunsmoke]

Fishhead56,

You must have been on one those head boat trips with him. It sounds like you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I gave him a lot hell for going on those trips because I know how particular he is about certain things. He doesn't like fishing with incompetent people. Try gaffing his fish and not sticking it in the head. You will get a look that will send you to your knees in prayer. He also likes his things very organized and for them to stay in place where he put it.

Start moving his stuff during a trip to mess with his mind, and you will suffer as he is a firm believer in "An eye for an eye". You won't find your stuff for months. He'll find an awkward compartment or even unscrew an access panel to hide your stuff. I once found a pair of van staal pliers behind a GPS unit. The only reason I found it was because I was replacing it with a new model.

I shouldn't be knocking him because he tolerates me. I'm a lot worse as I just toss your stuff overboard never to be found again.

[Bellyups]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

Folks, think of it. The inflatable doll milkcrate would be your ultimate partner. You can take it fishing, store your rods, put your beer on top of it, screw it, and it will never talk back to you or spend your money.

I may need to use this as my signature line. Of couse I would quote GS. That is classic!! However, if I am going to screw it, it will need wider and deeper holes

[STx Fisherman]

Would you have to buy it 14,526 pairs of shoes?