Adding Rod Holders to the Bow - 23'SC
 

I am interested in adding some flush mount rod holders to the bow of my 23' Seacraft CC. I am currently thinking four on each side. I will use these rod holders mostly to keep rods organized when clearing lines offshore and when drifting for sharks. Also, maybe when anchored bait fishing for cobia. When we are trolling offshore now and get a nice fish on and I want to clear rods I basically end up stacking everything in the bow to get it out of the way. The problem is the rods/reels slide and get a little banged up, and the lures, bars, chains etc get tangled together. It would be nice to clear a rod and walk to the bow and stick it in a holder secure and out of the way.

Does anyone see a problem with adding four rod holders to each side spaced from the bow back to the step? On each side I was thinking one in the bow 15 degrees pointed forward and to the side, followed by 2 zero degree and then one 15 degree by the step angled overboard. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Jeremy

Careful, do your measurements correctly! Thickness of the bow deck and the length of the rod holder is crutial!
Because of the bow curve, you will have to mount them inward to get this clearance. You might not like their look after placement ;)

I have two 30* (I think) mounted on each side. I'll get a pic next time it's uncovered.

Good points. Thanks. Pics would be appreciated. I can't wait to fill a rod holder instead of the fuel fill.

I have 8 down each side and 2 on the train some so there is plenty of room just watch your layout I used 15 degree for the four I used on ea. side of the fuel fills and 30 degree in all other locations and may have been able to use the 30's there as well

Yep watch your layout and measure 3X cut once! You can see the loop of rope on the cleat, I would hook the tape into it, and swing the arc left to right to get the marks exactly the same.

One Vertical in the center, near the cleat, two 30's face exactly 90deg out the sides.

Total of 6 (3 down each gunwale) with 15/30deg mixed as needed. I did angle the ones forward of the console out just a bit to make it easier for the lines to reach the outriggers. The 4 a little further back both point directly astern.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/P4290293.jpg

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/P4290291.jpg


Ignore the doofas in the picture, look how the rods face out. It works real slick.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t...0817-00311.jpg

These both sides. My purpose was to park a rod while a bigger fish is "subdued" :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps946d4e17.jpg