Front Deck Rod Storage

[oldschooltiller]

Originally Posted by 4JawChuck

Put up some pics Eric, I would love to see your setup. My older Lund only has side storage and I have been contemplating an "under front deck lift top" rod storage solution also as a winter project. Some sort of system inbetween the front consoles seems like the best solution for my situation with easy access, I'm not impressed with rods standing up in the boat at 60mph and not locked out of sight when docked.

I'm always open to any ideas others have come up with...and we all love pics of other people's boats!

Why can't you use the side rod storage.

One other disadvantage about the in deck storage is that you use up a TON of the deck space, and a bunch of your storage now has to go into that side box.
Those side boxes are designed well for rods, but not much else.

[Spinach]

I built this side compartment for mine. Adds a lot of extra storage. Just another idea for you.

[oldschooltiller]

I'll try and draw up what I had in mind to better organize my side rod locker. Basically something to keep them from just laying on top of each other.

Basically a thin carpeted shelf about 6 ft forward in the rod box. Then a very small shelf at the back too.
Rods can be stacked in on the bottom, and then on this "shelf" too.



This combined with rod socks/reel covers, and I think I'll be good to go.


Once I get into trolling more that may be an issue. Those reels are BIG, and rods long. But then again, even at 6 rods, that still leaves me able to carry a handful of others too, so it may not be an issue after all.


Something like this would be a good idea for the side rod lockers IMO.
http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...4/PICT0007.jpg

[4JawChuck]

Originally Posted by oldschooltiller

Why can't you use the side rod storage.

One other disadvantage about the in deck storage is that you use up a TON of the deck space, and a bunch of your storage now has to go into that side box.
Those side boxes are designed well for rods, but not much else.

With three kids and wife in my 17' Lund ProSport there is no way my single side rod locker has enough room for all of them, currently I use a rod bag with socks which is fine for transportation but a hassle once out on the water. My side compartment only has room for three rods which is OK when it's just myself and oldest son but usually it one baitcaster and one spinning rod each...and there isn't enough room.

In the bow the pedestal is always locked in the top slot, extending that section between the seats with a gas spring lid would hide my trolling motor battery area and give me lots of room very handy to stow rods in...having a step that you extends into the cockpit doesn't seem all that bad, we keep our cooler there when we're flying anyway.

The boat is a 1998 which is before the era of huge rod lockers and under floor storage, under the deck is bulkheads so it's not feasible except for maybe battery storage if I cut into the diamond plate and build a compartment.

I just like the idea of a center lockable above deck locker that is accessible when the canopy is up if it's raining, moving the step up into the bow further back seems to have the fewest drawbacks. I'm always open to ideas though, but it needs to be secure, safe and dry and have room for around 8-10 rods.

[oldschooltiller]

I mostly Bass and Musky fish so any extended deck like you would have with the in deck rod storage is kinda nice.

So that is definitely a plus for converting to that style.

[Eric_CO]

I'm glad I looked in there to take pictures. The carpet I laid in there is gone. I also stand corrected that I used tool box padding to cover the bottom fiberglass cut not the lawn edge guard.

Here are the pictures:

[oldschooltiller]

I'm now going back and forth....I'm OK with a REALLY long front deck. And it would be nice to move my livewell, and gas tank which would be possible by adding a center rod box. (would be necessary)

I might just go this route.

[4JawChuck]

Thanks Eric, I like the expanding sleeve idea for protecting rods...never seen that before!

I continue to learn something new everyday.

[LLewellin]

Originally Posted by Eric_CO

I'm glad I looked in there to take pictures. The carpet I laid in there is gone. I also stand corrected that I used tool box padding to cover the bottom fiberglass cut not the lawn edge guard.

Here are the pictures:

How easy is it to get one of your bottom rods out with the rod slicks/sleeves?

I like your idea for more rods on board!

[oldschooltiller]

Originally Posted by 4JawChuck

Thanks Eric, I like the expanding sleeve idea for protecting rods...never seen that before!

I continue to learn something new everyday.

Not only that but prevents line tangles with all the other rods. That's the best reason for using them IMO.