Rod saver straps

[Hower08]

Thinking of putting the low profile rod saver straps in my boat. Just the Velcro style. Are they secure enough to hold your rods while you tow your boat?

 

   My boat only goes about 23 mph so not worried about it there just want to be able to tow with my rods on the deck as my rod locker is only long enough for like 3 of my rods, so I always have the. On the main floor propped up onto the back deck. 

 

  Knock on wood in the 6 years of owning this boat the only thing I've lost while towing had been a rod sock. And that was one of my dad's ? 

 

 

[LonnieP]

I’ve gone down the highway many days doing 70 mph pulling my boat using the velcro Rod Savers and never had them come loose. You will be fine.

[junyer357]

Had one for years until the velcro wore out. Never had a problem with it holding rods when it was in good shape. Replaced it with a retractable rodbuckle though. The velcro ones are also a hook magnet, especially trebles. 

[Hower08]

Thanks guys. Can't decide on which one I want to go with. I like the clean look of the retractable just don't know if I want to spend that much on a strap 

[iabass8]

I've had both on my different boats at different times. My least favorite is the velcro rod straps. They do fine, but the velcro can wear out and the more rods you put under the strap, the less amount of velcro holds your rods. 23 max MPH you probably won't notice the difference though.  I really like the TH marine rod tamer straps. They hold rods down better. The retractable are really nice too but your max speed doesn't really warrant anything special that needs to hold rods down that well. All my roads are in the locker when on the road but the few times i've had them on deck /w rod socks...the only time I've lost anything was a rod sock /w with the velcro straps years ago on a different boat. 

[Way2slow]

I have the Velcro in my jon that sits out year round and they only last about years in it.  I've had them in other boats that are kept cover and they still only lasted about three years. 

I have the retractable bungee cord type in my Javelin and wouldn't have anything else.  I had to replace the original ones when they were about seven years old, and still running the ones I replaced them with.  That's going on about 12 years.

Funny thing is, about 10 years ago, one of my customers made the bungee cord they use for those and gave me a 500ft roll of it, and I've never had to use the first piece of it.

[Hower08]

Maby I will just break down and buy the retractable ones. Buy once cry once

[JLBBass]

I'd go with this type:

 

https://www.amazon.com/YYST-Tamer-Holder-Connector-Gunwale/dp/B00MZZM56U/ref=asc_df_B00MZZM56U/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312142476371&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12970901007548857625&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015430&hvtargid=pla-570088690771&psc=1

 

 

[Hower08]

Those were on my boat when I got it. They came off in short order. Stepped on the loop one time. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

1 hour ago, JLBBass said:

I'd go with this type:

 

https://www.amazon.com/YYST-Tamer-Holder-Connector-Gunwale/dp/B00MZZM56U/ref=asc_df_B00MZZM56U/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312142476371&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12970901007548857625&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015430&hvtargid=pla-570088690771&psc=1

 

 

I just installed this exact product.   It comes with two straps.  I only needed one for the bow and I am trying to decide what to do with the second one.  Either I am going to put it on the stern for my guest or put it up to work in tandem with the first strap for peace of mind while going to the lake.  One seems like it would suffice, but a second going across the butt handle just behind the reels would be stout.  

 

Honestly, a larger concern to me is leaving my gear out in the open like that might present a temptation to an unsavory type.  

[Way2slow]

Actually, those are the ones I was talking about on my Javelin.  They used to show them with an eyelet that mounts in the side of the gunwale so you can push them back in, out of the way when not using them.  The link below shows the eyelet, but my straps have the small hook like the other link.

https://www.ebay.com/p/T-h-Marine-RHD1DP-Rod-Hold-Down-Strap-12/1020420090?iid=202326885923&chn=ps

 

The small hooks have a sleeve that slides over a couple of compression tabs to hold the strap.  If you are careful, you can replace just the rubber strap, if/when one breaks.   Those compression tabs break off very easy though, so you have to be extremely careful.

[MickD]

Make sure your rod tips cannot contact anything, especially a vertical wall/bulkhead.  It doesn't take much motion to break the tip by jamming against something.  

[Hower08]

Now if they had the bungee ones with a button like the retractable ones that would be sweet. But i stepped on that hook one time and had enough of it already haha. 

[WRB]

I never tow the boat with rods strapped to the deck exposed. I store my rods in the locker with cushioning or in the tow vehicle to prevent theft and reduce vibration loosening screws or creating rash wear.

Retractable rod straps are the way to go.

Tom

 

[Way2slow]

I don't tow with rods on the deck either, they are in the locker.  However when the boat runs faster on the water than you tow it down the highway, and getting bounced around way worse, you kinda want something holding them you can depend on when you have it aired out. 

I noticed my original bungee straps started showing cracks, like a dry rotted tire, so I replaced them.  Good thing too, after installing the new ones, after just a small amount of extra stretch and the old ones broke.  I contribute that to the fact my boat spent its first 4 years in Phoenix Az. 

 

Also, those with the big hooks and eyelet are bungies also, they are just molded into one pieces on the ends, so you can't just replace the elastic strap when the time comes.   The small hooks shown in the first one come apart and you can replace the elastic strap, if you can find it.  

[Wallyr]

I'm looking for the original equipment to hold my rods down. I have a 1990 Pro Craft boat that came with Rod Savers when I purchased the boat in 1990. One has frayed some so I want to replace all four hold downs. Problem is, I don't think they make these anymore as I have searched for days trying to find a Rod Saver that is 26" long for the rod butts and 14" long for the rod tips. I sent an e mail to the MFG but as of this day, no response from them. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Hower08]

I believe I'm just going to go with the Velcro straps since I've already had the bungee style and hated them

[OnthePotomac]

I had these on my deck for 15 years, then three years ago mice nibbled through them.  They are real rubber and stretch like crazy, never losing their shape.  I tried those from TH Marine and did not even get a year out of them before they pulled apart.  I found them at Academy thanks to another angler on this site.

 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/marine-raider-boat-rod-strap#repChildCatid=12992