How to: Need rod holder for convertible type car

[RKLindner]

So after much fruitless searching on the web, I can not find a rod holder that will work for a convertible, that I can just buy off the shelf.  With the fall approaching and my honey not liking the cold and wanting the top up, I need an alternative to travel with a few rods outside the car since it gets cramped when you have 3-4 rods inside with someone in the passenger seat (no room for their legs!).
So, what I have come up with is to buy a bike rack (such as the Hollywood Rack F1B) that mounts on the trunk and getting a cheap PVC rod holder to attach to it (or making my own out of PVC pieces to hold the pole at an angle over the roof).
Can anyone suggest something else before I spend the money or know of some company who sells one that I was not able to locate via the web??

Appreciate any and all help on this adventure..

[Luna Sea 5]

that doesn't sound like a bad idea.  I am sure you don't want to put a hitch to it, if so, then you have options.  If not.. then pole that are multiple pieces.

[RKLindner]

that doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Thanks..  My better half just shakes her head when I come up with these brainstorms but she also is the one that has a problem when she's in the passenger seat and 4 rods are sharing the spot!  I should have mentioned in the original that a trailer hitch at the moment is not an option.  Car has 150k plus miles so not sure how much longer it's gonna be around but I would like to get a boat and it's the only car we have.. so.. for the time being, if I spend $75 and can travel with a few rods, it's worth the investment.

[brickken]

Hard top or soft top convertible? What type of convertible?

Ski racks would probably serve you better as they can open insert rods close and lock without having to customize anything...

Found this on the web:
http://www.roofrackshop.co.uk/boot/bmw-3-series-boot-rack.htm there are others as well but this site has a list of cars and what size you would need.

Also found this site:
http://www.thesundeckonline.com/bumper.htm

hope this helps

[RKLindner]

Hard top or soft top convertible? What type of convertible?

Sebring convertible.. soft top.  I checked out the first page.. my car is not part of the list.. (by a long shot!).  I have used quite a few search terms in google and there a tons of hits, but when you click the link, there's nothing there. 

[RKLindner]

Thought I would follow up with pictures of what I made to carry my rods on the convertible.  Was rather inexpensive considering it's a bike rack that can be bought for around $40 and for a section of 1 1/2" PVC and fittings.  Glue it up and cut slits in the PVC and you're set.

(hopefully I got post the pics right!)

[SurfJockey]

Custom!

Nice work!

 

[bugmannj]

Nice job  looks like it works.

[Bucktail]

Very cool!  Great work RK!

[ped579]

 

[Hotrod]

 

[IrishAyes]

Real nice. Not expensive and perfect for the job. Nice work. 

[RKLindner]

Thanks guys.  Thought someone somewhere might need something along these lines and could use the idea I came up with.  It even high enough that should I take a good bump with the top down, that I won't get whapped on the head with the end of the pole!!

[Hunter 2]

Looks good

[Pfishingruven]

Gets the job done and looks great!  Do you have a way of securing the rods to the PVC?

 

[RKLindner]

Do you have a way of securing the rods to the PVC?

 

The PVC has notches that when the rods are in place, they "fall down" into the notch and can't really go anywhere.  And unless I brake fast, they can't really go forward.  I did realize I made a mistake when I used tees rather than cross fittings..  my long surf poles don't go deep enough so tonite I drilled holes in the tees so I can slide the poles further down.  Just need to line the PVC in places to soften any contact the poles have when they bounce a little.  Also, I do use bungee cord attached to the reels to keep them in place too.

[Pfishingruven]

Nice work!