Gunwale Rod Holders Suggestions

[weaselman]

My boat will be heading to the dealership in a few weeks to cover some warranty issues. So while it is there I am going to have them add a few improvements to the boat which will include a few rod holders (bow and stern).

I have seen a few posts of members adding rod holders to the gunwale in the 242s. I was told that the angle of the gunwale will not allow the rod holder to mount without having a lip on one side because of the angle of the gunwale. Don't know if this is true or not.

For those members that have successful mounted on the 242s gunwale can you please let me know what brand, degree and where you purchased the holder. I want to have these already purchased when I bring the boat to the dealer.

 

[Mainah]

I just installed the plastic 15 degree combo rod and cupholders from mate series with the stainless trim rings. They match the factory black plastic cupholders with the trim rings fairly well aside from the exposed screws and a bit bigger. I installed on the upper swim deck and while a tight fit I got it to work and replaced all of the cupholder drain lines with surgical tubing while I was at it as they had come off anyways. the combo holders are a tight fit and I had to shorten the drain barbs by half but they were longer than needed anyways. No pics yet as I was in a rush to get it done so I could hit the water after the fast curing silicone dried. I am happy with the result. I am going to get a couple of rail mounts for the front, the type that leave a small receiver for the holder to fit in. As for gunwale mounts I think if you go with the triangle flange ones there will be a lot less of a lip.

 

[newbote]

I just installed the plastic 15 degree combo rod and cupholders from mate series with the stainless trim rings. They match the factory black plastic cupholders with the trim rings fairly well aside from the exposed screws and a bit bigger. I installed on the upper swim deck and while a tight fit I got it to work and replaced all of the cupholder drain lines with surgical tubing while I was at it as they had come off anyways. the combo holders are a tight fit and I had to shorten the drain barbs by half but they were longer than needed anyways. No pics yet as I was in a rush to get it done so I could hit the water after the fast curing silicone dried. I am happy with the result. I am going to get a couple of rail mounts for the front, the type that leave a small receiver for the holder to fit in. As for gunwale mounts I think if you go with the triangle flange ones there will be a lot less of a lip.

Can you send the exact ones you bought? I think I want to do this as well. Would you trust having rods in there while moving - even on the way to Bimini? How difficult was the install?

 

[swatski]

Can you send the exact ones you bought? I think I want to do this as well. Would you trust having rods in there while moving - even on the way to Bimini? How difficult was the install?

Why not put those on the tower? Rarely one would want to haul wake boards and fishing rods on the same trip, I would think. That's how @1948Isaac does it, to Bimini and beyond. I think @Julian just did that, too, and his looked good.

I am interested in the inside gunwales rod holder - but that's just because those can double as grill mounts.

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[weaselman]

I have been looking for tower mounts that fit the 2 7/8 diameter of the 242 tower but have found difficulty in finding any.

 

[swatski]

@Julian - isn't it what what you did?
Or am I making this up...??? but I could swear I'd seen rod holders on Julian's big X tower.

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[Mainah]

I tried a couple of bass rods in mine and must say not sure I would trust on the ocean and not as secure as rocket launcher style. My primary purpose was for holding rods when one wants to put one down on work on the line and what better place than the swim deck. I am getting collapsible rods to keep on the boat full time and will bring the bass rods when needed.

Install was easy. I recommend planing to replace tubing for all cupholders and the deck drain or buying ss clamps and being carful not over tighten. I used a Dremel sanding drum to cut down the barbs but a belt sander, cut off wheel, or even a file would work. Just happened to have the dremel out to give a light sand to the opening after i removed to old silicone. Wanted to make sure a I got a good seal and bond but it is one of those slightly overdone things that most probably don’t do.

Here is the link
https://mateseries.com/product/abs-plastic15o-rod-angleround-topdrain-at-bottom/

 

[newbote]

I have been looking for tower mounts that fit the 2 7/8 diameter of the 242 tower but have found difficulty in finding any.

Lee tackle has ones that fit - the 2.375 diameter one fits but you have to buy longer screws. The only problem is they angle towards the front of the boat - they work great for storing rods while traveling but not when your actually fishing. I have two, one on each side and they have worked for storing rods out of the way but they are pricey.

I do know on the larger towers/Bimini (x and e series) there is some smaller diameter tubing that allows you more options for clamp on rod holders. However for boats like ours (242 Limited S) I have only found one option that works.

 

[newbote]

I tried a couple of bass rods in mine and must say not sure I would trust on the ocean and not as secure as rocket launcher style. My primary purpose was for holding rods when one wants to put one down on work on the line and what better place than the swim deck. I am getting collapsible rods to keep on the boat full time and will bring the bass rods when needed.

Install was easy. I recommend planing to replace tubing for all cupholders and the deck drain or buying ss clamps and being carful not over tighten. I used a Dremel sanding drum to cut down the barbs but a belt sander, cut off wheel, or even a file would work. Just happened to have the dremel out to give a light sand to the opening after i removed to old silicone. Wanted to make sure a I got a good seal and bond but it is one of those slightly overdone things that most probably don’t do.

Here is the link
https://mateseries.com/product/abs-plastic15o-rod-angleround-topdrain-at-bottom/

Thanks - did you have to enlargen the opening or did they fit in the existing hole once you removed the cup holder?

 

[Mainah]

Fit perfectly. I did have to drill new screw hole for the starboard side and I did have to go grab ss screws at the hardware store for mounting.

 

[Julian]

Sorry folks....been travelling alot lately so behind on my @s!

Yes, I added rod holders to my boat...both gunnell and tower ones.

Here is the thread with photos of my rod holders (page 3 for tower mounted, page 4 for gunnell)

 

[njmr2fan]

@Julian Nope.... nothin showing

 

[swatski]

Sorry folks....been travelling alot lately so behind on my @s!

Yes, I added rod holders to my boat...both gunnell and tower ones.

Here is the thread with photos of my rod holders (page 3 for tower mounted, page 4 for gunnell)

No link @Julian!
Do I need to find pics of your boat in my Bimini folder, lol?

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[Julian]

No link @Julian!
Do I need to find pics of your boat in my Bimini folder, lol?

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Whoops!

https://jetboaters.net/threads/e-series-bimini-tower-tubing-diameter-flag-or-rod-holder.9563/page-4