Rod holders in glass

  • skeeter101
    Oak Grove, MN
    Posts: 43
    #1262187

    New to IDO although I’ve been reading it for years. First time posting on here, but I bought a new skeeter last fall and it’s my first glass boat. Need to put rod holders in the bow. Plan on doing flush mounts on the gunnel, and just want to know any tips or anything to be careful of.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #761192

    Be absolutely positive sure of the placement before you drill any holes. Once you know where you want them do a double check to make sure you can get at the underside of the mount so you can bolt and nyloc nut those holders in place. If you don’t have access to the underside of the mount then you’ll want to verify that the manufacturer has a sturdy wood backing under the glass in the location of choice so you can use course threaded stainless screws to mount the holder. The bolt / nylon locking nut method of fastening the holder to the glass is preferred over the screws so if possible go that route.

    When it comes time to actually drill holes, put masking tape over the glass and drill through the tape into the glass. The tape keeps the glass for splintering / cracking at the edges of the holes being drilled.

    Other than that this is a very straightforward install. But, like grandpa always said, measure twice, cut once. Fixing misplaced holes can be done in glass but it isn’t cheap.

    fishim
    Minnesota
    Posts: 83
    #761193

    Pre-drill your holes of course and then most importantly always use a countersink bit before you put any screws in. This will keep the gelcoat from cracking. Don’t forget to check to see what your drilling into. There could be a chase running along the gunnel with wires for the trolling motor and other electronics on the bow

    Bill

    skeeter101
    Oak Grove, MN
    Posts: 43
    #761196

    Thanks alot guys. I just don’t want to have any more problems than I already have. The boat had stress cracks in the gel coating and when I purchased the boat they said bring it back at the end of the season and they would have a local guy fix them in a week or two. Skeeter decided they could do it cheaper and had the boat shipped all the way back to the factory in Texas! They said it would be a month or two and ended up being four! I just got it back on Wed and without a beat had to head down to p4 for 2 full days. After getting it back realized they had wrecked my keel guard, forgot to put the little ladder in back on and scratched the gel coating all over the boat! Then when I first dropped it in the water on Thurs. am they forgot to hook the fuel lines back up and I got 100 yds from the landing and the motor puked. Luckily I’m decently mechanically inclined and figured it out in about 10 minutes. Needless to say I have not been too impressed with skeeters warranty or quality checks. With that said even after all the nightmares still love the boat.

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    #761197

    Who is your dealer?

    If you’re continuing to have issues, give Dan Meyer at Skeeter Boat Center a call. These guys are nothing but the best. Their dedication to customer service is like nothing else I have experienced. If you need warranty assistance or customer support that your dealer isn’t providing, give Skeeter Boat Center a try.

    skeeter101
    Oak Grove, MN
    Posts: 43
    #761273

    Thanks guys for the help. Rod holders are all in and look great no stress cracks at all. Jason I may have to look into that because I bought it from Frankie’s and felt they were taking care of me. The way your talking maybe it’s Frankie’s that’s pulling the fast one. Wanted to mention to James that sure is a sharp looking boat! Can’t wait to see it down on pool 4, and here how it performs.

    SkeeterBoats
    Posts: 59
    #761427

    In reference to Skeeter factory service: I can say that in the year and half that Dave and I have been in business, we have found only good things with the warranty process with the factory in Kilgore. I know the answer to our warranty questions are always “fix it.”

    Hope everyone is enjoying the start to spring. Have fun fishin.

    Dan, Dave and the rest of the Skeeter Boat Center Team

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