Adjustable Swivel Base
 

Bert challenged our Tecla engineering team to improve the design of his adjustable swivel base and he thinks we successfully met that challenge.  How did we do it?  We created a special bearing system that lets you swivel the base easily, with one hand, while mounted with the heaviest down rigger.  Our bearing system uses the same technology that allows us to make seats that swivel while holding the weight of three people. We use Polymer bearings, top and bottom, so there is no metal to metal contact.  For strength we use metal plates to back the bearings.

Another winning feature is the use of a unique positive gear lock system that locks the swivel at 30° - 12 positions without wobble or play.  The new swivel base has the same features as the old such as all metal moving parts and precision tapped mounting holes.  It fits in any of Bert's track and utilizes two tension knobs to lock in into place. Bert's track has grooves that prevent movement after the swivel base is locked down and the adjustment lever is easily operated.

The 12 position adjustment feature and the easy base rotation are handy when you have multiple lines in the water or you've got a strike and need to reposition the down rigger as the fish moves.

The positive gear lock system is unique in that the swivel base swings free when you pull the lever and remains free until you release it. When released, the pin locks in the center of a tapered gear tooth that is machined into the swivel base. The gear tooth form has tapered walls so that the pin locks on the sidewalls of the gear and doesn't bottom out.  This means that the swivel base locks in the center of the gear tooth without play or wobble.

This is a big improvement over the old designs that used a pin in the hole.  This design required that the hole have play or the pin wouldn't go in.  The play caused the hole to wear and the wobble kept increasing. With the new positive gear lock system the pin engages the entire gear face and two side walls so it is stronger.  There is more locking surface, less wear and the tapered gear tooth means wear can occur and the pin locks up the rod holder without wobble.

Bert's Adjustable Swivel Base is made of weather resistant aluminum, corrosion resistant stainless steel and UV stable plastics. This product is made for both fresh water and salt water and is so unique that is is being patented.