Ready to Fish

[dan4836]

I'm in and ready to fish.

Just a few more items to tie up such as: Seats - I am thinking about keeping the deck open and using some folding deck chairs that I can store in the cabin as and use on the deck as needed.

In floor fish box - It's under the floor but I never cut it out. This will be hooked up to a macerator pump.

Rod holders - Only have holders in the transom. How do you mount rod holders in the side gunnels? I think I need to look at the small square ones?

I was able to put 5 hours over the last few days without any issues except the motor starves for fuel beyond 4,000 rpm. I think the anti siphon valve is the issue. I will remove the valve and install one without the anti siphon (carp is higher than the fuel tank)

Ready to fish!

[bradford]

Sweet looking V!

I liked mine with just the helm seat too, but I knew better.

[SkunkBoat]

Looking good.
I have just a helm seat also. Got tired of the crew complaining so I just added a padded backrest where the "passenger" armrest is and I put an eyebolt in the bulkhead to clip a 100qt cooler with cushion there. I figure I need the cooler held in place anyways so if it stops the griping its twice as good.
btw because of the seat cushion, the cooler hinge has to be towards the centerline for this setup to work.

as for rod holders, things to know;

they come in 30, 15 and 0 degree angles. your transom one is probably 30. You don't have room in the gunnel to angle them outward. So if you put them in the gunnels they will point straight back, putting the line into your gunnel rod. Hmmm...You might be able to turn your gunnel ones outward?

You have rod boxes which limit the length of your rod holders. Get short(cheaper) ones and they might fit.

Measure THREE times before drilling.
Get the angle right and the hole size right the first time because fixing it is REALLY hard.

Thru-bolt, 1"flat washer and lock-nut at least one of the screws. Stainless.

Don't buy plastic. When the big fish you dream about DOESN'T take your rod, you'll be glad.

[dan4836]

Take a look at this site:

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/new316ststde3.html

I bought: hinges, and transom rod holders. Good quality and much better cost than the retail (West Marine) My 4" hinges were around $4. each. The same ones at West were $24.

I am interested in the surface mounted holders. I thing they will hold up well.

What do you think?

[SkunkBoat]

very cool rod holders! never seen them before....hmmmmm

[RidgeRunner]

Nice looking piece of hardware you found there. I am just before cutting the holes in the gunnels for the flush mount ss rod holders. Cheap ones, but at least they are all stainless and the flange is cast and welded to the tube. Having them face straight back just isn't the best case scenario is it?
Then there are the outriggers. I have the Perko bases for the small poles but the only decent poles I have are the Lee's 15' aluminum poles that are the larger diameter. None of the sizes are adaptable, even if I take off the largest section I can't get the diameters to match up.. So I go buy more stuff to make it work? No. I am not $pending another grand on the lift and lay t-top mounts, I never much used them.. I want a bimini over the foredeck, a cushion for the casting platform and some graphics on the hull.
I did install the small Nicro utility hooks to help get some stuff organized.
I will post a picture up soon as I take the plunge..

Very nice looking V. I like the blue hull sides a lot.

[dan4836]

I think they are based on the West Coast and shipping can take some time. All of the items I received I have been happy with the quality. I like the gunnel rod holders but on the V the gunnels are so narrow. The previous owner installed square bezel holders and chopped up the gunnels to the point I had to remove and patch the holes.

I am not a big fan of surface mounted holders but I think they got this design right. They look strong and you can position them out for some trolling!

My transom holders are 30 degrees and I am planning on putting one 0 for the bait cutting board.

[DiverDux]

Check out Cisco rod holders. I've got them on my V and they are absolutely the best rod holders on the market. They aren't flush mount though. I live in Ohio, about ten minutes from Lake Erie and most all of the charter guys use these rod holders.

http://www.ciscofishingsystemsltd.com/

[ssiredfish]

my .02 about rodholders....

I frequently have had to cut two holes to install an angled rodholder or outrigger base. If youve ever tried to use a holesaw to create hole #2 that overlays hole #1 its very tricky. Take a dremel tool and use the 60grit sandin drum to edge out a larger hole. This thing eats through fiberglass like a fat man on 10cent wing night. After using this tool and bit the first time I was amazed. Did the same thing when I created new speaker holes. Its dusty but it works like a champ!!

[dan4836]

I used the Dremel many times throughout the construction process. Worked well cutting out my gauges as I did not have a hole saw that large.