Fly Rod Storage - 330 Express

kirk a

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Looking for ideas and recommendations on storing fly rods on board. I have a 330 express, and for this year I simply laid the rods down on the starboard side of the helm from the livewell up to the windshield. Clearly a sub-optimal approach. The underside of the hardtop is out, as there are mesh hammocks for lifejacket storage up there. I've seen some rod holders (Birdsall Marine is one version) where they can be inserted into a holder on the rocket launcher for instance. I have a pair of I-fly holders which could be installed as well, but not sure what would be a good place. In a perfect scenario, they would be accessible, but protected and out of the way.

Any solutions or ideas?
 

frankm

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Hello Kirk,
I have a 305 Express, not a 330, as you do, so i'm not sure if the hardtops are similar. However, here are some photos of how I was able to install rod holders under the hardtop (4 in front of the life jacket storage and 2 behind. I don't know if this helps you!
IMG_0722.jpeg
IMG_0723.jpegIMG_0724.jpegIMG_0731.jpegIMG_0732.jpeg

Frank
 

kirk a

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Thanks, in my case the lifejacket mesh goes pretty much the entire hardtop, save a little bit over the helm, but then the electronic boxes are there. Should have added that the fly rods are 9' long as well, which adds to the difficulty.
 
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Fishtales

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I think what you are doing is the best move.
 

HMBJack

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You can remove the teak magazine rack rails on the starboard side of the vee berth. Then install a 3X set of rod holders there. That side of the vee berth gives you nearly 10 feet of rod storage space in a safe and dry location. A lot of us with 330's have done this and it works really well.
 

kirk a

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Resolved the fly rod storage with a pair of ifly holders mounted to some starboard and pvc trim. Tested it today with a pool noodle over the hand grip.

overall
F180F87F-5562-458A-A8B8-41CB5EEB0A55.jpeg

handle

1E02F28C-8D3E-4003-91EB-775A4E9A8CF4.jpeg

tip

4EE016F3-5946-4CD3-BF41-B0B0B7CE23B5.jpeg

hope this idea helps others too.