Rocket launcher

[wrxhoon]

I just bought a 228 G with factory hardtop and it doesn't have a rocket launcher.
Do any of you know who makes the genuine one that GW fit to the Seafarer ? The ones I have seen have 4 rod holders, I would prefer at least 5 . I believe they fix to the hardtop with 3 brackets and e bolts per bracket. Can anyone confirm? Can anyone confirm if they are aluminum ?
As a last resort I'll buy one from GW .
Thanks in advance.

 

[Ky Grady]

These are all the close pics I have of my 228 factory hardtop mounted launcher. Hope you can see what you need. First pic shows the mounting tabs. WMW Marine was the manufacturer of my top. Reach out to them, they show a 5 place holder as well as the 4 on the website.

 

[drbatts]

I think that WMW marine makes all of Gradys factory tops. My express initially didn't already have a rocket launcher either. I talked to a couple of the local Grady dealers, who all said they had to special order it. I ended up buying mine directly from WMW marine. Price was about 25% less then what dealers quoted me, Plus they included the mounting hardware.

 

[Ky Grady]

I think that WMW marine makes all of Gradys factory tops. My express initially didn't already have a rocket launcher either. I talked to a couple of the local Grady dealers, who all said they had to special order it. I ended up buying mine directly from WMW marine. Price was about 25% less then what dealers quoted me, Plus they included the mounting hardware.

Wasn't sure if WMW was still the supplier for the tops, mines a 2004, has the WMW sticker on the starboard leg. Manufacturers sometimes change vendors.

 

[Fishtales]

They are the vendor. https://www.wmwmarine.com/

 

[Uncle Joe]

I just gave WMW a call.....Jerry was great.....knew what fit my 82 Offshore right away. I will be ordering from them this spring.

 

[glacierbaze]

Why would anyone, other than the builder, put on a 4, when the top looks easily wide enough for 6 or 8?
No one ever said, "I wish I had fewer rod holders".

 

[wrxhoon]

Ky Grady
Thanks very much for taking the time to put up the photos , are they alloy aluminum or S/Steel?

Fishtales
Thank you for the link, I will be contacting them.

Uncle Joe
Did you get a price for 4, 5 or 6?

glacierbaze
I agree with your comments , my preference would be for 6 as long as they are spaced enough to hold 50W Tiagras . That's what I use and it is the reel of choice in Australia for stand up game fishing.


Does anyone know these advertised on E-Bay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Pole-Fis...h=item282566308a:g:r2IAAOSwGvhUC3jS:rk:5:pf:0

I want to thank you all for taking the time to post , great help.

 

[Fishtales]

i'm sure wmw will be happy to add additional ones. if you go somewhere else, remember to spec the mounting system. gw mounts via a flat plate through the hardtop. just want to make sure you get them at a height that is accessible for you and that they sit properly when loaded.

 

[wrxhoon]

Thanks for the advice, I will contact WMW . These on E-bay mount with flat tabs on the top .

 

[glacierbaze]

you have to know your roof angle. If the one in the ebay link was mounted on a perfectly horizontal top, the rods would be at 15*, which is what I would want, but any slope on the top just adds to that, and gets in the way of casting.

If you want something built, and shipped, check out PalmettoTrooper on THT, or his website at:

www.carolinaaluminumproducts.com

Shipping is "always free", but I doubt that applies to Australia. Better examples of his work are actually buried in some of the multi page/multi year threads, that what is on his website, which seems geared more towards tool box and truck bed rod holders.

 

[wrxhoon]

Thanks for the above advice. I have to buy something stock . I'll have it delivered to Jacksonville and put in the cabin before the boat leaves at the end of January.

 

[Ky Grady]

Yes, they are aluminum.

Those eBay ones look nice and may very well fit, but if you're thinking GW welding stands for Grady-White welding, it's actually the owners name, still might work though.

With your parameters and the AU logistics, I would recommend you stay with WMW which seems to still be Grady-White's preferred vendor for their hardtop and accessories. I'd reach out to them if you're looking for something custom and see what they can do. I'd be more comfortable with the original manufacturer building a add on rod holder than someone else.

 

[wrxhoon]

Thanks KY Grady,
I understand the GW is G w Performance Welding LLC, they are in NJ. The problem I have with the WMW they are only 4 rod holders , I would like 6 or at the very minimum 5. GW make a 6 and it is 52" wide with 3 mounting tabs, that should fit , I may have to relocate the spreader lights.

I would be grateful if you could measure your hardtop width at the rear also if you could tell me how much the middle of the hardtop protrudes further to the rear than the sides and how much higher the middle of the hardtop is from the sides, from my research should be about 1.5" on both measurements.

I spoke to Jerry at WMW but I need it to be in Jacksonville by January 15 so it can go in the cabin before the boat goes in to port so I prefer something from the self.


Thanks in advance




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[Ky Grady]

My boat is in storage at a warehouse in town. I'll try and get buy this weekend to check measurements.

 

[Uncle Joe]

I have a 1982 24 Offshore....the customer service rep told me that the 4 tube model is what fits my hardtop.

That would work for me as I have already mounted 4 SS holders on my bowrails as far back as I could and 4 others on the uprights to my hardtop.

 

[Fishtales]

you have to know your roof angle. If the one in the ebay link was mounted on a perfectly horizontal top, the rods would be at 15*, which is what I would want, but any slope on the top just adds to that, and gets in the way of casting.

If you want something built, and shipped, check out PalmettoTrooper on THT, or his website at:

www.carolinaaluminumproducts.com

Shipping is "always free", but I doubt that applies to Australia. Better examples of his work are actually buried in some of the multi page/multi year threads, that what is on his website, which seems geared more towards tool box and truck bed rod holders.

^^^ This is very important. The hard tops definitely have a roll off on the edges and are curved (port to starboard) as well. You want to make sure the top guns have the same curve. I'd get some prices and then bang them against WMW. The one thing with the latter is you know they will fit. The one downside, is the height is fixed. Depending on your height, reaching them (especially the center) can be tough for some folks. If you do something custom, you can drop the height a bit if needed.

 

[Ky Grady]

wrxhoon,,,,,I can physically carry 16 rigs in holders if need be, 4 on the hardtop, 4 on the legs, 4 in the holders on bait tank, 4 in the gunnel holders.

The longer 5 or 6 holder probably has different geometries to fit the larger hardtops. If you go with the standard 4 for the 228, that is designed to fit our hardtop, you're only loosing 1 holder per your minimum requirements of at least a 5 place holder. And you know it will fit. Just saying. And can be in Jacksonville before they crate or wrap the boat for export.

Are you crating/boxing or RO/RO?

 

[Fishtales]

Maybe ask WMW if they would do something custom for you - extend the holder and add 2 more tulips? Outside of the curve and bracket angle, you want to make sure that the tube that holds them together is positioned properly for your hardtop. I think the best options are: Factory or go to a local shop and have them measure to your boat. Buying something stock off the net and hoping it fits probably isn't the best idea.

 

[drbatts]

^^^ This is very important. The hard tops definitely have a roll off on the edges and are curved (port to starboard) as well. You want to make sure the top guns have the same curve. I'd get some prices and then bang them against WMW. The one thing with the latter is you know they will fit. The one downside, is the height is fixed. Depending on your height, reaching them (especially the center) can be tough for some folks. If you do something custom, you can drop the height a bit if needed.

In addition with regard to an "off the shelf" rocket launcher you should pay attention to the depth of the mounting brackets. On my boat the mounting bolts/washers came very close to the hardtop support crossbeam.

FWIW, I have also seen a couple of boats in which the rocket launcher was mounted on the bottom side of the hardtop, which would make it easier to reach the rods in the center holders.