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Posts: 258
Location: Mayville, WI | Got a navigator 165 this spring and love the boat so far. However, I need to mount rod holders on it soon and I'm looking for ways other Navigator owners have done it (pics if ya got em).
Tossing around either flush mounts or install rails. Flush mounts would be nice, but I don't think I want to put all those holes in the gunnel, while rails would be less holes, but more $$$$... Thoughts?
sc |
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Posts: 138
Location: Aurora IL | Im going thru the same questions for my nav 175. Decided to use clamp on down easters on passenger side (they fit great and are the strongest holder going). On the drivers I am going to put in flush mounts (downeaster rail mounts would be better but the cover would get torn up unless I removed them each trip). Dont really trust the plastic holders but in the past Ive made safety straps from parachute cord in case (luckily never needed but a fish with a lur in mouth and a combo to drag around would suck). Hope this helps. Bill |
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Posts: 157
| Currently I am fishing out of a Navigator 165. There are 4 rod holders we have mounted on the gunwall along with a mounting plate for a downrigger (for great lakes fishing). There is a 4-6" gap between the rear cleat and the mouting plate for the riggers. The first Scotty mount is placed roughly 6" in front of the plate and the other mount is 6" in front of that one. It's actually a very good set-up for trolling. The rod in the furtherest back holder has the tip buried in the water to keep the weeds from running down the line and the 2nd rod holder toward the front is almost always kept at a slight angle so the planer boards will get a bit more distance away from the boat.
As far as the flush mounts we opted to not use them. We have the pedastel mounts. They only sit up 3" at the max from the gunwall. Not a big deal in my eyes.
I will try to post some pictures when I get back home which won't be for a day or two. |
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Posts: 3505
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I also have a navigator 165 console and apart from mounting a scotty on the starboard side, I have been leery of doing a flush mount on the port side. I have seen one boat where they drilled through the gunnel and installed the flush mounts and it looked really nice, but my concern is how much does that hole affect the strength of the gunnel at that point? It's a pretty big hole to drill and there is a support within the gunnel as well....
On the console version, you can mount right into the side since they put an aluminum cover over all the wiring and mount a holder from there that sits flush with the gunnel. I don't use my all that often, but I am able to change position with it to put a rod tip in the water without issue.
The other thought I have had with running holders would be to mount them on the back corners by the gas cap and the rear running light. Granted the rods would be in the back of the boat, but you could mount them to the carpeted metal that goes from the top to the main decking. Looking from above at the back corners, the plates look as though one corner has been cut off at a 45 degree angle. The carpeted area just below that would be a place to mount without too much trouble. This would also give you the option of running prop-wash baits as well.
My only other thought would be to run Down-easters, but on the port side, I would be unsure as to whether you could adjust them so a rod tip could be in the water....
Steve |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | I mounted ranger rails on both sides of my 175 Nav as almost all the rod holders come with those mounts. Works great. Flush mounts require an awful big hole to drill. Was not ready for that kind of commitment. |
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Posts: 619
| i have flush mounts on my navigator and works just fine, i wouldnt be worried about it |
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Posts: 258
Location: Mayville, WI | You guys and your silly consoles...
Pred:
Did you mount your rails between the cleats or with them over the last cleat? Also, what length rails did you get and how many rods do you run off one rail? I see Cabelas has them @ 42ish & 60", off the top of my head. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | They have 22" ones that I went with. Wasn't sure how they would turn out so I didn't go with the larger sizes. I only have two rod holders on each side as I usually don't get too crazy and go with 6 lines. They are mounted between the cleats near the rear cleat but with enough clearance to not cause any issues with that.
Looking at it now, I should have gone with the bigger size because they do work nice for getting into and out of the boat when it is on the trailer and they don't get in the way as much as I thought they might. When I get over to my boat I will snap a picture and post it. |
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| I have a 175 as well and ordered the ranger rails from cabelas. Then I mounted the floe rods holders. I like the quick release.
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