View Full Version : Tite-Lok track system
I have been reading old posts on rod holders and like the sound of the track systems like Tite-Lok. Can you mount down riggers directly on these track systems as well as rod holders? Are there any special considerations or requirements when mounting a track system? Thanks in advance.
I've been doing a little research myself.
Looks like you secure the track to the boat with some screws. Then you get incerts which you can mount rod holders or down riggers onto. These then slide into the track and have pins or screws to lock in place. The beauty is no holes to drill and everything can be removed except the track. It looks like if you sell your boat often this is the way to go. Keep the hardware and just buy new tracking each year.
One questions, Do you need to put some sort of backing under a fiberglass boat or do you just drill a pilot hole and screw directly into the glass?
Robertp
03-04-2002, 03:57 PM
You could screw the track plates directly into the fiberglass and not use any backing but, personally, I would not trust it. I mounted one of the smaller tracks and did use wood backing. If you elect to screw to the fiberglass I would at least be sure that you can get to the underside in the event that it does pull loose and you later have to add some support. One thing I did not like about the tracks is the fact that the holes are very large, and countersunk, I used a smaller screw and put a washer under it. I think those screw holes in the tracks are simply too big.
Boatnut
03-04-2002, 04:17 PM
in my humble opinion...screwing directly into fiberglass is a poor choice for something with as much potential pressure as rod holders and certainly downriggers. ALWAYS use a backing plate if possible! If the underside is not smooth, then "bed" the backing plate with some sealant.
my 2 cents.
Johnnie Candle
03-04-2002, 04:31 PM
I have been using the Tite-lok Track system for three years now and love it.
I screw it right into the fiberglass and have had no problems on my Tracker Targas. I doo put some silicon under the track to act as a gascket of sorts. One year I cut rubber from an old tire inner tube to do the same thing.
I pulled two dipsies on a side last year at Dunkirk, NY for the PWT for ten days and never had a problem with screws pulling loose.
Check out their web site at www.rodholder.com