23 Seacraft - Under Gunnel Template?
 

Hey guys,

Does anyone have a template for making under gunnel rod holders for a 23 Seacraft? I have a 23 IB and I want to A) give my gunnels some more stiffness and B) create more storage in the boat.

Alternatively, if anyone has old wooden under gunnel holders that run from the gunnel to the floor please let me know! I will gladly buy them off you to use as a template.

I made my own templates. Didn't have anything to work off of.

I may have a set of the wood off a Tsunami but I will have to check. It's not too hard to mock some up with cardboard. Also the original rod holders are not going to anything to sure up the gunwales as they just screw to the inner liner. What you want is something to go up inside the gunwale and act like a bulkhead and tie to the inner liner. From my experience, if you have floppy gunwales your coring is shot and they need to be re-cored. It can be done but it's an ugly job grinding and glassing upside down.

Good news is I have my originals off my 77 23’ CC and they are in pretty good shape. Bad news is they are packed away with all of my boat parts for about another month. Not sure if I am going to reuse. Either way could get you mine or a template when I pull them out.

Thanks for the responses all!

I know I could mock up my own, just thought it'd be easier if someone had some they weren't going to use.

Kmoose - Currently don't have any holders under there, and my gunnel does have some flex. With that said, with every rod holder I have installed the gunnel is dry as a bone. I was going to pull the cap off and re-core but if its all dry it's easier for me to just back everything and add some structure to help against the flexing. For example, I have some swivel rod holders that have clamshell brackets that go through the side of the boat. Just adding those cut down most of the flexing I saw. Since the boat is a 1976, I doubt the design of the gunnels had BFT fishing in NE in mind with big 130 rods and 130 reels.

If either of you guys dig them out and want to sell them, I will absolutely grab them! My cell is 1-617-997-1305 if easier too.

Thanks all!

Here is what I did

Yes! And we've talked before, that's exactly what I'd like to build.

I took a bunch of paint sticks and cheap wood yard sticks I had along with a hot glue gun cut the yard stick from the gunnel to the deck . Then cut the paint sticks to match the contour of the sides and under the gunnel . Found the port didn’t quite match the starboard side for a really tight fit so it was a matter of fitting each one individually. You could use wood or plastic I used a product called Plastek like the look of teak but didn’t want the Maintance. Just remembered I knew my bolsters were going to be 2” so I brought the holders out about 1 1/2” for more reel handle room