rod holders

[firebird]

I am going to add some Scotty flush mounts to my gunnels. Is is better to use machine bolts and nuts or just screws? How long should they be? Also, my gunnels are carpeted, how do I avoid ruining the carpet when I drill the hole?
Thanks for any help.

firebird

[rebs]

I have the Ram 2000 on my boat and I mounted them with self tapping screws, that was 2 years ago and they are still working fine

[firebird]

bump

[firebird]

Please help! Anyone?

[Dave in Mpls]

In my opinion, SS screws are just fine. However, if it will make you sleep better, SS machine bols and nuts can certainly be used if you have reasonable access under the gunnel. If you go that route, I'd use an appropriate flat SS washer and SS nylocs. You can always make the move from screws to machine bolts if you find reason.

As for the carpet, I use a hole saw to cut out the hole. Run the mandrel bit through the gunnel till the hole saw can be lowered onto the carpet. Then, cut the carpet around the outside of the hole saw using an exacto knife or similar. Finally, cut out the hole.

Mount the rod holders so that they must be pointed to the inside for removal. This will eliminate any chance of pulling it out while removing a rod.

Must be an Alumacraft?

Regards

[SnellTier]

I did the same thing Dave did with my 4 Roberts.

SS machine bolts, ss washers, ss lock washers, ss nuts. Cost a little more, but I figured I would buy the boxes instead of single items while at Ace Hardware and keep the leftovers for future projects. That has proven useful.

I did ONE thing differently. I did NOT drill through the gunnel to accept the cylinder of the rod holder. I put that vertically UP into the air instead of verticall DOWN into the gunnel. I just did not like the thought of drilling four one inch holes into my gunnel. Call me crazy, I guess.

To trailer the boat, I cover the rod holder base with a thick cloth held in place with a piece of bungee cord. I bought a 10 foot length of bungee from a spool at Ace and I cut a length of the bungee and just tied a loop in it for the particular rod holder. That way the rod holder does not poke a hole through my travel cover.

MAKE SURE you set it up so the rod holder itself has to be inboard like Dave says to insert/extract the holder from the base.

I think you will like the rod holders even when you are not trolling. I use them when a partner has a fish on and I have to net it. I put the rod into the holder and move back to get the net. The rod holder is a good place to temporarily store my rod with the rod pointed outward. It keeps it out of the way for netting and keeps my two black labs from investigating the hooks ... OUCH! After I have netted the fish my partner stores her rod in her rod holder to keep it off the bottom of the boat. Works pretty neat. We have not broken a rod yet by stepping on it or falling onto it. Knock on wood.

[firebird]

Thanks for the help. I'm looking forward to putting them on the boat and using them.

[Brad]

I mounted flush-mount Scotty's rod -holder bases in the gunnels of my boat. Drilled right through the carpet with the hole saw and it didn't tear it up much. I doubt I could have made it any neater by using an exacto blade. Either way, the flange of the base will cover any rough edges. Didn't find any wood in there so I used SS bolts, washers and nuts.

[DR]

I used Stainless Steel bolts, washers, lock washers, and nuts.

Mounted 4 flush mounts, all mounting hardware cost very little and will last forever.

On the Nylon lock washer vs locking nut deal.....I have had SEVERAL locking nuts just plain lock up! to the point where you can't loosen or tighten them, dangest thing I ever seen. I broke the bolts even! and took them BACK to the hardware store and Mr. Hardware guy wasn't suprised ONE bit, and gave me all new stuff again, this time lock washers instead of locking nuts....he claimed it was just a "bad batch" and happens often on removal's....but from now on...locking nuts are NOT for me. I totally refurbished a boat and broke MANY....lesson learned.

http://www.duanerichards.20m.com

http://www.madtoms.com

http://www.creeksmallies.20m.com

DR