Flush mount rod holders on bow for shade poles?

Our "soon to ours" 2019 Freedom 285 does not have the flush mounted rod holders on the bow for the easy up bow shade. I'm curious if anyone has gone ahead and installed a smaller diameter rod holder for the poles for the easy up bow shade? Thanks

DennisG01 said:

They're very straight forward to install. Drill hole, drill pilot holes for screws, chamfer pilot holes, install. Was there something specific you were wondering about?

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No, I think it sounds pretty straightforward. I was just wanting to hear from someone who maybe had done the project. So thank you

Mustang65fbk said:

Not sure if you're going the stock route or not, but it looks like in the picture you attached, as well as the one I'll link below that it's not just a standard rod holder that they use. If you zoom in on the picture that I've linked below, you can see that there's a flip top to the holder. I imagine a call to your local Grady White dealer could get you a couple of the holders, if you're going the stock route and that's what you're wanting to use. If not, I imagine there's a multitude of different options out there. Good luck.

https://gradywhite-fdcdn-blob-dqabgae8e7g5fygv.a02.azurefd.net/media/17770/freedom-275-grady-white-27-foot-dual-console-bow-overall.jpg

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It's interesting that you mentioned that because earlier today I was given the name of a guy who lives down in the Florida keys and he puts together a bow shade kit and uses the actual fitting that we see in the picture here. They have a 15% angle so you insert them facing forward therefore with the bend in the pole always keeping tension on the shade. He sells the poles, hardware and shade for 950 and the stainless deck inserts w flip cap for 225. He is offering a discount on the shade and poles if you purchase before the end of the year. I've attached a picture that he sent to me of his deck fitting. His name is David Ryers and his Instagram in @never_enough_boat_shades
(305) 879-5621