I have a 15 degree Lee's rod holder that I would like to mount on the transom of the Islander but that top surface is only a thin layer of fiberglass and no real supportive structure. Can I 5200 a piece of plywood or that architectural lumber to the underside to provide more support or are more structural improvements needed? It will not be used for trolling, mainly anchoring for stripers, occasional resting spot for fluke rod etc. When inspecting underneath it is not at all like the gunnel's construction, more like just a shell.
Transom Rod holder
- Thread starter 1st grady
- Start date
Yes, you should be able to use in that way. The architectural lumber(deck lumber ?) is a better choice, through bolted though.
What year Islander are you talking about?
I installed a Lee vertical rod holder in the middle of the transom on our 2002 Islander and I had more than 1.5" of material to get through. In fact, I kept the plug around for quite some time as a good example of Grady construction.
You can see the holder just above the "L" in "NORFOLK" on the transom in the signature photo below.
Brian
I installed a Lee vertical rod holder in the middle of the transom on our 2002 Islander and I had more than 1.5" of material to get through. In fact, I kept the plug around for quite some time as a good example of Grady construction.
You can see the holder just above the "L" in "NORFOLK" on the transom in the signature photo below.
Brian
Best bet is adding finberglass mat if it's really thin. Adding lumber using 5200 will add some strength, but not the way fiberglass will and over the years the wood will break down, there is no 100% way to seal off this area from water. Using a lee backing plate would do just about the same thing and would avoid replacment of the wood down the road. The lumbar will last maybe 10 years if it is left open at most, even treated wood once wet will start to break down. If you want the rod holder to last either thicken the area with fiberglass mat, not a tough job, even for a novice, or go with the aluminum backing plate, will spread the load just like the wood and will never rot, will end up lasting the life of the boat. Honestly, 1/4" of glass would be enough for any inshore fishing and any stress drags under 10-15lbs, if you fish offshore of might use more drag, beef it up with another layer or 2 or glass to be safe.
ocnslr,
It is a 1995 and the structure is only 1/4" thick. I actually have a transom shower in that spot so the hole is already there, that is how I know it is not reinforced.
Gradyfish,
I do not believe this area will ever get wet. It is inside the transom "wall" that is at the back of the cockpit. It is not really possible to get up into there to add layers of glass and resin. I will be sure to seal the bolts and opening for the rod holder.
I like the idea of the composit decking material.
Thanks fo the input. I just wanted a second opinion other than my own.
It is a 1995 and the structure is only 1/4" thick. I actually have a transom shower in that spot so the hole is already there, that is how I know it is not reinforced.
Gradyfish,
I do not believe this area will ever get wet. It is inside the transom "wall" that is at the back of the cockpit. It is not really possible to get up into there to add layers of glass and resin. I will be sure to seal the bolts and opening for the rod holder.
I like the idea of the composit decking material.
Thanks fo the input. I just wanted a second opinion other than my own.
Not sure why you would use decking material when there are aluminum backing plates made for exactly what your doing. The aluminum would last forever, and does not compress, price wise it will run around the same, why not do it right?
I thought it would be better to distribute the load over a larger surface area. Do you really think the backing plate will strengthen the 1/4" F-Glass enough? I could see if it had some structure in there.
1st grady said:
With a rod holder you have one side of the flange in compression and the other side in tension. Spreading the load will work on the tension side but is not as effective on the compression side. Increasing the thickness will help with the compression.
A ¼” aluminum would strengthen the area by a factor of roughly 3. More than enough under normal circumstances.
Hookup1
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Rod Holders
I installed two 15 degree holders in my '07 Islander (center and port side). I thought I had more than a quarter inch of glass but that should be plenty strong. Use washers to help spread the load out. Silicone or 5200 to bed the holders.
Pull the 3 or 4 screws from the battery switch board so you can get up in there to put the hardware on. Also consider holders the have either caps or drains since they are over your batteries. Lee makes ones with drains.
I installed two 15 degree holders in my '07 Islander (center and port side). I thought I had more than a quarter inch of glass but that should be plenty strong. Use washers to help spread the load out. Silicone or 5200 to bed the holders.
Pull the 3 or 4 screws from the battery switch board so you can get up in there to put the hardware on. Also consider holders the have either caps or drains since they are over your batteries. Lee makes ones with drains.