Cutting hole for rod holder....

capercanuck

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
78
I want to put a couple of rod holders on my 2252 bayliner, but I'm a little concerned with cutting the holes in the fiberglass.<br /><br />I'd like to put them next to the bait well st the stern. Is this a big deal? Will I weaken the structure of the boat if I cut them? I guess the holes are probably 1 1/2" round.<br /><br />Thanks
 

cuzner

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 14, 2004
Messages
771
Re: Cutting hole for rod holder....

I,m trying picture in my mind where your putting them.I had a smaller bayliner, and put the starboard one right in front of the fitting for the anchor light, and put the port one to match.If your putting where I think, you'll have no issues If its a clean cut. Word of caution though....Use a good quality hole saw and a high speed drill apply very little pressure.The bayliner was the first one I did, used an old cheap hole saw, It shattered (the hole saw) had to dig a piece of steel out of my forehead. Just instaled rod holders on my new boat. Went to Home hardware and exchanged my used holesaw( too small) for a 1 5/8 , worked great. I wanted to angle the holders as far away from boat as possible, and had to move holes as far out as possible to give them room on the inside. Sorry if I'm rambling on...just thought I'd share my experience.<br /><br /> Jim
 

blackz3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
159
Re: Cutting hole for rod holder....

can you see under where your going to be drilling..if you have the clearence go for it
 

Barlow

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 11, 2003
Messages
1,794
Re: Cutting hole for rod holder....

I'm understanding this as a recessed angled holder.<br /><br />one thing to entertain would be multi-positional top mounted holders such as the Tite-Loc / Big-Jon "rocket launchers" .. <br /><br />to me there's simply nothing more functional which in-turn is more practical.. plus - you're not punching large diameter holes in the glass.. but, thats my opinion.<br /><br />mounting them with through bolts w/locking vinyl nuts -not screws- and backer plates works like a charm.<br /><br />(edited for spelling :rolleyes: guess I was tired )
 

vicman2

Cadet
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
24
Re: Cutting hole for rod holder....

I agree with barlow, look at top mount rod holders with through bolts and a backing plate.<br />Scott Plastics of Victoria B.C. makes several types of fixed and adjustable rod holders under the Scotty brand. When not used as rod holders they can be use to mount a flag or barbecue. Recessed holders usually leak or fill up with water or the caps get lost, besides who needs big holes in the boat.
 

Reel Poor

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
5,522
Re: Cutting hole for rod holder....

understood by Barlow; <br /><br />I'm undestanding this as a recessed angled holder.
If this is so, they will not fit in a round hole . The hole must be oval shaped.<br /><br /> Before you drill a hole!!!!!!!!!! Read below. <br /><br />Use a piece of cardboard for a templet. Keep trying rod holder in templet till it fits.You will see what im talking about. Then place template on boat and draw out your OVAL hole [be sure of clearance below}. By leaning your drill [with hole saw] at the same angle as rod holder tubing, {must be very carefull] it will cut an ovaled hole to match your template.
 
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