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Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | I have finally worked up the nerve to put some holes in my boat for some flush mount Scotty rod holders. Being I have never trolled I am hoping for some help on the best location(s) to fasten them. My boat is a Smokercraft 171 Millentia (17 ft.) with completely closed off gunnels. I am intending on mounting 4 rod holders. 2 for prop wash and 2 up a little farther. I understand the 2 for the prop wash should be back as far as possible, but where is the best place for the other 2 holders? Closer to the console than the back? Also, if there is anyone that has mounted a rod holder to a Smokercraft with the enclosed gunnels please help me. How did you fasten them down? |
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Posts: 1294
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | My last boat had enclosed gunnels. I used 1/4" aluminum pop rivets and never had a problem with them loosening up. Just be careful when drilling so as not to hit any hidden wires or cables. |
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Posts: 132
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | Travis,
I can't help you with the mounting, but there must be access somewhere along the edge to get into the enclosed gunwhale. (Make sure you use a backing plate underneath each plate under the gunwhale.)
Mount the two back ones as close to the transom as possible. This not only gives you prop wash access, but short-line access to the sides. (Remember to watch your spacing on the boat cleats though.) The other two should be near the console. Some people like them in front, so you can easily see the rod tip to watch for fouled actions, while others prefer the rod holders slightly back so that the rods are easier to grab when a fish hits. I have 8 on my boat (but it's a biiiiigggg boat) - 2 gunwhale mounted at the back, 2 transom mounted, 2 slightly behind the console on the gunwhales, and 2 rail mounted in front of the console. This gives me a lot of options for how and where I position my rods. Some stores will sell you extra Scotty bases. This allows you to move your 4 rod holders around with only the cash outlay and installation of the 2 extra bases, but it's likely a worthwhile investment of time and money.
Good luck,
Steve Wickens
STRIKE ZONE Muskie Charters |
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Posts: 108
| Travis ;
Have you drilled the holes?
Have you purchased the Scottys ?
Please don't do it !
There are far better holders that will cause you less grief .
There is a reason Todds Dad figured out a fix ! There is a reason I made
mine lock to hull with bolts and wing nuts .
If you troll a lot ,(and I believe you do ) don't buy Scotty's .
good fishing
dennis
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| I'm w/ Dennis; the Down Easters are primo holders. In fact I got 2 extra gunnel mounts; $25.00 plus postage, about 5 smacks for Priority. These are daggone good sturdy rod holders, will easily fit your gunnel and or transom. |
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Posts: 7
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Posts: 7
| Dennis, I also went with the Scotty flush mounts- don't do it. I have friends who haven't had any problems but I had 2 of 4 that also kept wanting to pop out, believe me it only takes a few hours of trolling and having to keep fixing them before you will be fed up.
I spent a little more money and put a Pursuit track system on my boat with salty rod holders and I am very happy that I did. I called Pursuit and they worked with me to custom make exactly what I wanted.
If you have any questions just let me know.
J Winger |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I have 10 Attwood holders on my boat and yesterday I just ordered 2 Down-East double clamp holders for my down-rod/ propwash sets. I haven't had any problems with my Attwood holders yet but they aren't very versatile. I also haven't trolled a ton so they haven't been given the "test of time" either. Here's to the "Fishing Equipment Retailer's Association." Live Long and Prosper!... |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | The onlt thing I do not like about the down east holders is that the clamp ons will scratch up an aluminum boat or they are permanently mounted. Travis, if you go with the down east holder, I would go with the hand rail setup on them. I have used them in another boat and they work good.
The scotty flush mounts will pop on a higher sided boat like yours. My old misty river did not ever have a problem but the side were 28". My dad's fix is easy and fast if you still want to go that way. We have done alot of trolling and never had one break. |
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Posts: 5874
| Todd,
Take a picture of the fix and mail it to someone, or go to a Walgreens and have them put it on a disk. I, and many others would love to see this fix. I am going to buy one Ram Flushmount and give it a try. If this solves the pop out problem, I will say good bye to my Scotty's. I will probably throw them out, as I wouldn't give this problem to anybody. I could fix the problem, but I need to adjust them too often for ski's, eyes, salmon, and back to ski's. My fix, and others suggested, would make this a real pain. |
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Posts: 132
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | I've been using the Scotties for 17 years. I use the standard mounts (as opposed to the flush mounts) along with the Striker dual arm holder as opposed to the tube style model. I've never had one crack, break or strip despite catching hundreds of muskies over the years in almost every possible weather condition you could imagine. They adjust in a fraction of the time of a downeaster, and they support the rod better than a downeaster does. You can hand me 8 brand new downeasters, and I'll tell you to take them back... I'll keep my Scotty's. (And best of all, they're made in Canada!)
Steve Wickens
STRIKE ZONE Muskie Charters |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Todd (and others), As far as the 'scratching" issue with Downeasters...I've seen many boats that have the clamp-ons attached to a 2x6 or larger board spanning across the beam of the boat. How they've attached them to the gunnel I don't know as I haven't viewed them closely.My intention is to mount 2 blind nuts (stainless) to each gunnel then use stainless wing bolts to attach the cross board to the boat. I can then clamp the holders anywhere across the boat I prefer. Since the rig is quickly removable it won't interfere with my custom cover. Whatcha think of that idea? Anyone do it that way? |
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Rod Holder Mounting Locations?