Rod holder quality

[Tony Z]

My 2015 305 3xpr3ss has 4 grady white rod holders in the gunnels. They are pitted and green. Why grady used such inferior quality ones I don't know most other hardware is top notch. Contemplating replacing them but they could be bedded with a tough to loosen caulk. Anyone had experience on replacing the gunnel rod holders ? Don't want to rip the gel coat getting them out thanks

 

[Hookup1]

GW doesn't use an aggressive adhesive caulk on anything I have removed. Usually is't a silicone product. The holders on my 268 Islander were cheap GW logo'ed ones with plastic bases and pins. They looked ok but the plastic pins sheared and didn't hold the rod properly. I drilled them out and put a stainless bolt thru them. I added a few more better quality rod holders.

 

[DennisG01]

Actually, you have chromed bronze holders - which are not cheap, by any means. They will outlast pretty much anything else. The downside is the chrome part - it is an aesthetic finish that requires upkeep to keep it nice. But, like chromed bronze thru-hulls, once the pitting starts you really have to keep up on it to keep it from getting worse - and even then it's tough.

They shouldn't be hard to remove - whatever caulk is there is simply for sealing purposes - not a securing purpose.

 

[Ekea]

keep in mind that they are through bolted, not screwed. so if you dont have access to the back side, you have to drill out the bolts and then use screws to secure the new ones