Swing in bracket mod

[oldjeep]

The board rack on the left side of the boat has always had some issues clearing the garage frame. Tried to buy an Arial hinge bracket to go with the arial rack that I've got but they were backordered for a while.

Wound up buying a pyramid bracket (DIY wake) nice bracket but apparently their racks are set up backwards of the arials so it was not a bolt on. However they can easily be modified to work, just need a couple drill bits, 4 longer bolts and 4 nuts.

Just need to drill the threads out of their hinge and drill countersinks, then the tube mount can be installed with the stock bolts. Then using longer bolts and nuts you can attach the board rack to the hinge.

Only takes a few minutes and about $6 worth of stainless socket head bolts and nuts from the fastenall store.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

do you have pics to share?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

I'll take a couple this weekend

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Couple pics of it all together - crappy garage pic, but not worth pulling the boat out to finish adjusting it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

I just ordered 2 of these brackets. I am going to try installing them on my Arial Assault. I really like the tower but it is really wide and I would like to be able to rotate the racks in. I have emailed Arial a couple times asking them about their current rotating blocks, but none of them work. I emailed DIY and they were responsive with dimensions and details. Wore case scenario, I am out a restocking fee and shipping to return them.

I am envisioning one additional possible modification I may have to make beyond what you have done. The Assault uses a diamond shaped plate that the forks attach to. I am wondering if the back spike of this diamond may keep me from being able to rotate all the way. Thus, I may have to enlist the help of a friends to cut, edge, and polish one corner of this plate off.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

One word of warning - the latches do not always stay latched in bumpy water which is a problem if you mount it like mine where it swings back.

On my pre-season list is to rig up a pin safety to keep it from unlatching - comes accross at head level by one of the seats.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

That is exactly how I plan to mount them. Good to know. Do they rattle, then too?

That is not exciting news. Can I put a big rubber band over that side, like the real big ones that come with broccoli?

Mine come Thursday, I guess I will see if there is enough room to have them rotate forward.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

No rattling it just pops open everyonce in a while when the boards are on and we hit a good bump.
Rubber band might work. I actually drilled a 1/4" hole near the hinge Saturday that takes a 1/4" x 3" pin. Keeps it locked tight - and since I need to hinge the rack down when putting it in the garage - the pin shouldn't have time to seize

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Ok, just looked at my boat. I believe they would rotate forward just fine as long as the boards are not on them. Do you rotate them with the boards on them to make it easier to get them on and off, or just rotate yours when the boards are off to get in the garage or into a tight boat house?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Ok, just looked at my boat. I believe they would rotate forward just fine as long as the boards are not on them. Do you rotate them with the boards on them to make it easier to get them on and off, or just rotate yours when the boards are off to get in the garage or into a tight boat house?

Mine would rotate forward without the boards too. The only reason I put the rotator on is for docking - several of the resturaunt docks we use have tall pier poles sticking up that the boards get in the way of - so we can swing the boards all the way into the boat so they don't hit the dock posts. So we always dock to the left side of the boat where I have the one rotator. Although it does make it a little easier to get the boards off the rack, I don't generally swing in for that.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Thanks. It sounds like if you were me, you would then set them up to rotate back too, and just find a way to deal with the occasional accidental release.

I will find out Thursday if I will need to drill em out and get bolts like you did or not.

Your help is much appreciated.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

I got em yesterday. They seem nicely constructed.

Unfortunately, I don't think they will work without some big time modification. I have an engineer friend coming over to look at them with me.

The way I see it, I will either need to cut part of my Aerial Assault vertical brace off where the bracket would attach, or get some kind of spacer and longer bolts, making them even wider when in the out position.

That or new holes to mount them further back on the vertical brace.

Lots to consider.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

They are going to work beautifully, I just need to drill and thread two new holes into each bracket. I needed to move the bracket back to where the two existing front holes on the bracket line up with the rear holes on my tower. Thus, I need to drill two new holes, and plan to cut threads into them so it looks factory.

When done, the bracket will look like it was made for this tower!

Will post pics when done.

DIY wake could really make that bracket universal by per-drilling some additional holes in that sucker!

 

[pat8839]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Sounds promising! Post some pics when you get it finished, I'd love to see it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Ok, here is how one of the DIY wake rotating blocks looks on an Aerial Assault

http://www.StingrayBoats.com/MyStingray/ppost/data/500/rotating_rack_3.JPG

The block came pre-drilled with 4 holes. In order to get it to work on the Assault, you need to move the block back so there is room for it to swing open. Thus, I was only able to use two of the existing holes.

http://www.StingrayBoats.com/MyStingray/ppost/data/500/rotating_rack_1.JPG

Basically, my two rear most holes lined up with the racks two front most holes.

I have drilled out two more holes in the DIY block, and then will cutt threads in them, so it will have a factory look to it. If I mess up, I will add bolts to the inside.

The holes on the part of the bracket that swings perfectly lined up with the base plate of my rack, so there are no modifications needed there.

It sure would be sweet if the block from DIY had some additional pre-drilled and threaded holes, as this would totally make it universal.

Here is how it looks when the racks are rotated in.

http://www.StingrayBoats.com/MyStingray/ppost/data/500/rotating_rack_2.JPG

Other than drilling the holes, it looks like it was made for an Aerial Assault rack!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Swing in bracket mod

Looks like it worked out well.