Rod Holders

donk

New member
I want to install rod holders on my 16 Cruiser. I'm thinking of the Scotty's or Cabalas, something along those lines.

Question? What is the best way to install them. The top of the spash well seems thick, is it balsa core? Do I need to drill oversize fill with epoxy and redrill? Which mounts do you prefer, the through deck looks nice and would be out of the way if the rod holders are removed. They require a 1 3/8" hole plus the screw holes.

What about the gunnel?

Any input appreciated.

don
 
Don,

I had a transom bar made by a local shop. Check out the pics in my album under Misc. It works great for keeping the rods out of the way and my bbq clamps on to it too!! I believe it was around $300 installed and its thru bolted and solid as a rock. The rod holders are Scotty brand.


Brandon
 
I mounted 4 Scotty bases on the inside vertical wall of the gunnels (2 0n each side). I also have a Scotty "tree" that will hold 3 rods using one base.
 
Go to burnewiin.com and see what you think. I put them on our 16C. Basically a splined socket that mounts flush. You then can slide in and lock rod holders, cleats, fillet knife or downrigger mounts. They come stainless steel or glass reinforced nylon.
 
Good find John. Those seem to be very high-quality rod holders and accessories. Next time we're at Lopez Island, I'll have to check those out.

As for the original post, we use Scotty rod holders and they work well for us. On our CD22, we mounted them on the front side of the transom, in front of the lazerettes and also on the inside of the gunnels. Those areas are not cored, so no need to fill etc.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses. Still concerned about mounts on the cross member of the splash well. Anone that has mounted anything to it, did you screw or through bolt whatever it was that you installed.

There has got to be more opinions on rod holders out there. This salty bunch seems to have an opinon on everything else.

don
 
IMHO the best rod holders from a fishing standpoint are made by FOLBE. http://www.folbe.com/

they allow you to quickly/easily pull the rod from the holder when you have a fish on. Yet hold the rod securely while trolling. Scotty has now imitated the FOLBE design.
 
I found after fishing for a season from the 16 that I needed to have a raised area for rod holders and bait cutting station. I made a raised shelf from teak attached to the cross member of the splash well. I through bolted the brackets, made from teak, with a backing plate under the cross member which provides a very solid structure. I am going into my third fishing season with this setup without any issues to the cross member. I also found that this raised shelf provides a convenient place to hold onto in rough water when facing aft without bending over. I will try and e-mail you some pictures of my setup.

Dick[/img]
 
I ended up installing 2 Scotty's, love them and intend to attach 2 more. Still, always looking for new and better ideas.

Thans, don
 
I have 8 Scotty rod holders. 4 are the striker model and 4 regular. I never use the regulars. Love the strikers for their sturdiness, length and easy snapover rod safety, but they are more expensive. I have a dozen or more drop in mounts installed, all on the vertical side of the gunnels and splash well. Even my DR's are installed on the vertical side of the gunnels. I just prefer to keep the top of the gunnels unobstructed. I'm not sure I needed it but all are through bolted with 1/2" starboard backers.

Those new quick release holders may be even better. I haven't tried them. Most trolling situations do not require the quick release feature. The Folbe's look great too, but I still have some fear of plastic (Plastisunifobia) and know if I ever deposited my favorite rod\reel to the seabed, it would taint the flavor of a great day.

Chris
 
Don,

Since you already have the Scotty mounts, look at the Scotty Orca rod holders. They imitate the Folbe. If you look at the video on the Folbe link above, you will see why they are so nice. When a fish is hooked, simply lift the rod straight up and it easily comes out of the rod holder. With a tube type holder the tension of a fish will often lock the rod in the holder. You can also have the same problem with the Original Scotty and Fish-On holders.
 
Hello,

Speaking of rod holders, I am in a dilemma as well. I want to sink a flush mounted rod holder (30 or 60 deg. angle) aft of the lazarette instead of the gunwale. I would use the holder while drifting or fishing while anchored. When needed I would then insert a downrigger gimbal for trolling.

Rather than write a page about the pros and cons in my head, has anyone done this? I'm really curious about your results.

Incidentally, I am a new poster here and I hope this is the right thread to post in: seemed so. Or, should I have started a new topic considering the duration since the last post?

Thanks,

Mike
 
Mike-

I see you want to put rod holders in the flat section just aft of the lazarette covers.

Most boats have one or two batteries in the starboard lazarette, along with other electrical gear, the steering and motor control cables, and gas lines.

The port side is sometimes set up as a bait tank, or can be converted to one at least, and can house a variety of things based on individual owners discretion.

Have you checked the areas out to see if the rod holders will fit without a lot of interference?

Just a thought!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Hi Joe,

I do have a house battery in there along with a VSR/battery distribution cluster. That said, there is a lot of accessible room (without even having to remove the battery&switch) for this rod holder.

If I mount the rod tube in there (9" long by 2 1/2" diameter) I will likely clamp a hose at the bottom of the semi open tube and run it to my port side livewell overboard drain since I only use the port laz to hold batteries (one for each outboard) anyway.

I don't want moisture in there (I just finished replacing the original hatches with proper water tight ones). I would place the rod tube in a manner that even if the gasket/sealant failed unexpectedly, before the fix, any water would not come in contact with the electronics. I think I'm reasonably safe there.

I would not be placing a flush rod tube mount in the port laz, there are two batteries in there and not enough room.

I think it would be an efficient use of space and it would keep the top of my gunwale free of obstructions - a goal of mine considering we load dogs over the rail and everything that goes with keeping dogs comfortable.

Room for the stern cleat is fine with this mount too.

The thing is, I am going on a 3-4 day trip this week and would like to mount this holder so I can fish for halibut how I like. I just wish I had the gimbal available (I have to order it and it won't come in time) so I can see the whole set up before I put a hole back there. I suppose regardless, even if I don't like the gimbal downrigger back there, I will like having a halibut pole holder.

Just wondering if anyone has done this and has a horror story to share...I think it will work out very well but probing the experience of this forum is never a bad idea.

I originally wanted to mount downriggers on metal laz hatches to avoid drilling through the gunwale but scrapped that idea.

Barring any red flags, I'm going to do it. I'll post pics.

Mike
 
All finished. Very easy to do. A few pictures are up now for the rod/or downrigger gimbal holder location that I couldn't find described by other brats.

My first big hole in the boat. :thup :D :thup

Mike
 
C spot swim":tjurbprs said:
Incidentally, I am a new poster here and I hope this is the right thread to post in: seemed so. Or, should I have started a new topic considering the duration since the last post?

No, by posting here you helped keep the subject from being dispersed among too many threads, which helps when searching. Those of us who have been here for a long time think nothing of resurrecting a thread just as you did.

And, welcome!

Now, to answer your question: I bought a used 22 that had two recessed rod holders in the gunwales. I investigated the Scotty rod holder mounts and was discouraged from using them by the good folks at LFS. I have not regretted it at all.

Warren
 
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