Scotty Rod Holders

When mounting Scotty rod holders to fiberglass boats, does a person need to anchor the base under the gunnel?

My concern/question is when mounting the holders, there is only a “thin” layer of glass that 4 bolts go through.

Has anyone ever had any problems of the glass cracking from stress of fish hitting when trolling?

OR

Do people place some type of anchor or metal plate underneath the glass to support the holder?

HUH?

Note: 50″ muskies hit hard, when you are trolling @ 5mph…………..

Use the largest outside diameter washers you can find.
Or use the mounting plate as a jig to drill out a backing plate. A backing plate would distribute any load better.

I agree, I have an aluminum boat and placed a metal backing on mine. Wood should work too.

Better be safe than lose that Muskie…and rod!

It depends on what you have under the fiberglass in the gunnels.

Warriors are reinforced on top and the gunnels are sealed with floatation.

Don’t try to force the screw into a small hole because you’ll crack the gell coat.

Are you using the side mounts or flush mounts?

If you are using flush mounts the hole will help add extra holding power.

In any case if you have access to the bolt and the holes are only through fiberglass get some fender washers and lock nuts. Fender washers have small holes and large diameter.

Unless you got some cheaply constructed boat with only a few layers of glass you won’t have any problems with the gel coat gracking or fiberglass being ripped out.

Thanks.

All of your answers, I basically thought, but needed that vote of confidence!