Fishing arches on Seafaris

[McGillicuddy]

I bought my 72 Seafari for fishing. The rod holders have no backing plates thus the holders are flimsy and subject to tearing out. I was thinking I'd remove screws and insert some hardwood, or ply underneath to distribute the pressure on the gunwale caps, and then use bolts to reinstall... is there a standard way of doing this? Also I need more rod capacity. Does anyone have a rod arch (rocket launcher) on their Seafari that looks like it belongs there. Got pictures you could post or email? Thanks in advance for your Seacrafty replies- McGill

[Capt Chuck]

Gilly

Don't do the wood thing. You can have any Pipe Welder make you a Stainless or Alum ones to fit or try the stock ones made by Lee or Perko. Your gunnel holders are 30*
Click Here ---------------> Backing Plates for Rod Holders

BTW: After you install the Backing Plates you can score one of these rocket launchers from Birdsall Marine.....


Dr Gucci

[Bigshrimpin]

CsickNick has an awesome top/arch on his seafari. You will defintely want to core the area that the fittings are fastened too.

[Kahuna]

MGC,
I concur with Big's comment. I have been wanting to ask your same question for some time now, but just have not gotten around to it. i was thinking about making a modular set up for my 76 depending on what the days plan called for. I was going to ask csicknick if he would be so kind as to post a couple of profile, forward and aft facing shots of his seafari and then comment on it about what he would possibly improve upon if he were ever to do it again. it looks like it has got a really well thought out assembly there. With only 20' to play with a sharp eye has got to be kept with attention to detail. CSN, is that possible? thanks

JC

[cSickNick]

Yes, that is possible and thanks for the compliments.

I still have hockey fever, so give me a few days to get some recent pics and some thoughts to go along with it.

Need coring as others said. Not sure what year they started to put coring in, but my 1979 has coring, 1969 does not.

Does your 1976 have coring? It may have started when the later year Seafari's went to a split window windshield? Split window windshield i thought started in 1975.

- Nick

[Kahuna]

those photos and input would be fantastic. Thanks. yes, mine does have the coring (and split windshield). my 4 gunnel mounted holders are aftermarket and have large oversized 1/4" stainless plates for backing. I know it is over kill, but it was a far simpler solution at the time than fiberglassing upside down. you really need to pull the top off to do it teh right way. I have not seen it done (I also have not looked very hard either) and that is one of those that I would like to see successfully accomplished first before i even thought about it. Look forward to teh photos and your notes.

JC

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks for advice and the links Dr Gucci. My neighbor makes custom bicycles in his garage so I'll check with him to see if he needs any filler work for fine beers . I checked out csicknicks pics from a prior post and indeed that is a nice launcher top, thanks for the heads up Tim. I don't think any parts of my gunwale caps are cored or backplated, definitely a weak spot all the way around including the Marinium cleats and the bow rail bases. A lot of revisiting going on here. Hate to tie off on a tow and watch an 8" cleat slingshot at somebody

[McGillicuddy]

Hey Bigshrimpin, Hit the rips yet? Monomoy's striped pig society awaits . Regarding the coring for fixtures, were you referring to rod holders or top/arch footings or both?

[Bigshrimpin]

I'm back in CA for another month but I'll be in Boston just in time for Memorial Day. Stripers are just showing up around now . . . chasing the herring. I was catching some 38 inch holdovers in Winchester back in 2001 April 1st, but that is about the earliest Bass fishing I've done back there.