Can anyone tell me what this fitting is for?

[DMcD]

thanks,
DMcD

[spuncopper]

Hey DMcD,

If you have one on both sides it may be the slip base for outriggers.

Spuncopper

[DMcD]

yes, they are on both sides. In this context and outrigger is to mount a trolling rod I assume?

[spuncopper]

Howdy DMcD,

Outriggers would be used in conjunction with the fishing rods for trolling. I have seen rod holders using a similar fitting but the location suggests outriggers to me.

Are there rod holders mounted elsewhere in the cockpit?

Spuncopper

[DMcD]

i get it. [obviously i'm not a fisherman] yes, there are are rod holders on the aft end of the gunwales. so the outriggers just laterally offset the lines from the rods mounted in the rod holders i guess.

[spuncopper]

Yes, they're used to spread out the lines and I believe to take the weight off the rod 'n reels... but I'm not a fisherman either. I was using the SWAQ principal eliminating other uses for the base and there are other uses for that type base. But... where it's located, type and size of boat, rod holder's located in cockpit, etc. equals a SWAQ.

[Sea Wolf]

Hummmm.....................?

Sounds like a good guess to me, except that outriggers would have a very high load on their bases, and that fitting has nowhere near enough strength to do the job by itself,
at least for an outrigger of 10 feet or more in length to get a serious degree of separation between the trolls.

See Outrigger Bases

Maybe it's for something else, like a fitting to quickly hang a boat fender from without having to tie it to a cleat?

There are probably many possibiilities!

Joe.

[spuncopper]

This is fun!

From the location on the cabin it's a little over eight inches from the window combing to the aft edge of the cabin. The screws mounting the plate, compared to the nearby canvas snap, appear to be 1/4" pan heads.

I would guess the mounting plate to be approx. 3-1/2" X 3-1/2". The area it is mounted is up where it is nothing but fiberglass, so my next question would be is there a backing plate inside the cabin approx. the same size or larger than the base plate?

[spuncopper]

Here ya go...

WEST MARINE
Removable Stainless Rod Holder
$69.99
Quantity .
In stock online.

Model # 554014 | Mfg # 4320SS

(Ships to Store for FREE)

[Jackie]

It does look like it is for the removable SS rod holder. I've been wanting to put a rod holder up around there for holding the net when I'm fishing, but don't really want a one sticking out all the time. That would be kind of a perfect mount. It's there when you need it and stored away the rest of the time.

I do think its for the rod holder, but the question is what did the previous owner use it for? It is in a rather awkward spot for salmon fishing. Halibut jigging maybe, but rod holders can hold many other things. Can't you even get those kettle type bbq's that stand off from the boat and fit in rod holders? That would be cool right there.

Jackie

[thataway]

Joe is correct. I have several of these I have used on various boats. It is for a rod holder. They fit in easily, and basically would be for light trolling rods. For heavier rods, I use a "Scotty" or thru the gunnel type if rod holder.,

[capt. meares]

Fender/bumper clips....Same fitting works for taco rod holder, and for hanging a fender.

[Aurelia]

http://www.ebay.com/p/4pcs-Amarine-made-Stainless-Steel-Removable-Slide-Mount-Fishing-Rod-Holder/1941918025

[Pedromo]

I used to hang a "ships bell" on fitting like that. I'm sure they are many uses...