Rod Holder/Downrigger Mounting

[PhlyanPan]

Hoping someone can point me in a direction on this.  I posted about gimbal mounting a downrigger in the tackle section but this seems more boat related.  

 

I pulled out the broken rod holder in the boat and this is what I found: 

 

 

 

Is there enough material here to get a solid mount to?  It's just 2 skins 1/8" thick filled with foam.  Doesn't seem very strong to me.  

[GlassWater Outdoors]

Nope.  Not for me. Install metal rocket launchers in there and you may be fine. There is a nasty amount of stress put on those down rigger bases.  Personally speaking I would reinstall new launchers then I would just get some quick disconnect rigger mounts and bolt them on with a metal backer plate.  

Edited August 20, 2015 by GlassWater Outdoors

[PhlyanPan]

You think there's enough material for a standard quick disconnect base there if I move it aft 6-8 inches?  

 

 

Nope.  Not for me. Install metal rocket launchers in there and you may be fine. There is a nasty amount of stress put on those down rigger bases.  Personally speaking I would reinstall new launchers then I would just get some quick disconnect rigger mounts and bolt them on with a metal backer plate.  

[JakeyBaby]

Add a backer plate underneath the gunwale. Make it as large as you can to soak up alot of the stress.

[PhlyanPan]

And I guess I'll have to dig out all that foam in there to make room for it?  What about accessing the underside of the gunwale?  Should I do some sort of hatch on the bottom side?  

[G-Daddy]

Or use a hole saw in the side and install a deck plate to cover the hole.

[lakebound88]

What gdaddy said. That's what I had to do with my gradybwhite. Except, tthe flush mounts were rugged enough and my trax I had to dig the foam out to mount it. The deck plates work nice

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