Mounting Flush Heavy Duty Swivel Rod Holders to Seacraft
 

Hi Guys,
I want to mount rear heavy-duty Smith swivel flush mount rod holders to the rear of #^&#^&#^&#^&y's and my 21 foot Sea Craft CC. The only problem is the gunwale is not flat by the rear cleat, it's domed.

The rodholders are 15 degrees, and I have backing plates, so I get that I'd need to put in access ports to get at the adjuster screw and the bolts under the access ports.

I also know how to cut the hole with a hole saw and then make the angle cut so it sits flush.

My real question is how do I deal with the domed gunwale? Use a bigger hole saw and only do down a little bit?

I tried posting this on classic seacraft, but got no real help.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I'd like to do as little fiberglassing of the gunwale as possible after I'm done, to clean up my mess.

Thanks,
Rick

Get a piece of starboard or even Azec will work . Make it a little bigger then the base and bevel the outside edges . Sand the profile into it so it fits flat . Mount with a little 5200 while you bolt the holder on .
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As a seacraft guy how about giving us a couple pics of the boat!!!

You can also us a piece of teak and do the same thing.

Teak or mahogany. 5/4 x 6 might do it. You are basically making a fairing block for your deck or gunnel. Similar to the fairing blocks used to mount transducers vertically. Scribing it to fit will not be easy but band saw (with re-saw set up) and spindle sander would be nice.

Get a bulkhead mount swivel rod holder and mount it inside against the combing board

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y25...psxvradboq.png
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If your gunwales are cored (balsa, foam, ect..) make sure you de-core/dig out core and fill with something like thickened epoxy or hull & deck putty.
As for drilling/installing, like Norm Abraman says, measure twice (or 20 times). Cut once !
Most larger rod holders you need a 2 3/8 hole saw. Drill the same angle and direction that the rod holder will be installed. Use the rod holder up side down as a guide.
Hope this helps.
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