Hello again,

Several months ago I purchased a Rainshadow RX7 (10.5-ft 7wt.) and afetr fishing with it 3 or 4 times it already has 2 long cracks in the butt section.

I heard from someone that the RX7 blanks with the matte finish break/damage easily (compared to the green finish). Has anyone out there heard the same thing?

Thanks,

Tony

I doubt the finish could possibly have anything to do with an increase in breakage. Same blank, different color finish. That's all.

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Tony,

I've built a bunch of the grey blanks a a fair number of green ones. I've enver had ANY of them break on me. Where did the cracks appear and what caused them?

Thanks,
Rick

Rick,

There is a small chip on the blank (chip in the coating) and then there are longitudinal cracks running by the chip.

I think my split shot might have come back and hit the blank on an awkward cast or something.

The blank has not broke (yet) but it "creaks" when I flex it.

Thanks,

Tony

Lengthwise cracks usually indicate a crushing force has been applied. If the cracks are deep enough, the rod will likely fail when heavily loaded.

One thing you could try is a simple repair of those cracks - an internal reinforcement. Open up the butt and slide in another section of scrap blank (thin wall if possible) so that it extends past the cracks in either direction by about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. It is important to try and get a good matching taper. This may prolong the life of your rod by a bit, even indefinitely if the cracks are not too long and do not reach too far up the blank.

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Tony,
I have built a lot of the Rainshadow matt finished blanks, probably over 100, and have never seen the type of problem that you describe. I am confident that Tom is correct and that your problem has nothing to do with the finish.
If the repair that Tom suggests is not feasible you might want to consider sending it back to Batson so that they can fit a new butt section for you. I am sure that it would not be too expensive, certainly less than a replacement blank, and if there was some sort of defect in the blank, which I really doubt, it will not cost you anything other than the shipping costs. I have found the Batsons to be great about warrenty problems.

I too have built many RX7 Rainshadow rods and have not seen the butt section breakage you describe. I have had a tip section break and I have sent it back and received replacement without any problems. I suggest you call Batson, explain your situatuion and they will offer you a reasonable solution. They are great at their service!!

Bob Widmaier

Toney check your email. You have recieved some excellant advise. If you try Tom's idea for repairing Iwould use rod bond as a glueing againt for the plug. When p laceing the plug in, stop when the glue startes to sep thru the creaks, wipe clean and wraap over the creak before the glue dries. Peronally I would ge a new section, the only thing you would have to replace is the cork every thing else salvageable
Good Wraps Bob

Tony, just a quick bit of info, Batson's are moving to a new location. They are closed for the next 3 days so you may not get an immediate reply from them. But their email and phones are remaining the same so you should hear back from them early in the week.


Jeff Hunter

Thanks for the replies and the emails gentlemen!

Happy Holidays,

Tony