Rod holder brand?

[Greyduk]

I have a 1999 GW 223. Does anyone know what brand of rod holders it would have had from the factory? I want to install backing plates and I'm trying to determine which ones would fit. Thanks.

 

[Jody]

I just replaced my outrigger holders on my 89 228 and had to fabricate them. The top of the gunnels are pretty thick you could probably get away with fender washers with a little grinding if needed.

 

[DennisG01]

Rod holders don't need backing plates of any kind when used with a thick gunwale. You only need to secure them with screws.

 

[journeyman]

Rod holders don't need backing plates of any kind when used with a thick gunwale. You only need to secure them with screws.

I would say that depends..... Light or medium duty? Ok, screws or just through bolted. Heavy duty? Backing plate and through bolted. You could use a piece of Starboard or a piece of marine grade plywood that has been coated with epoxy. JMHO

 

[DennisG01]

I had the "flush mount" (probably the most common?) rod holder in my head. 1" or 1-1/2" screws into solid fiberglass/wood core will be WAY more than strong enough. The stress is not vertical - it's horizontal. The gunwale is probably at least that thick - or at least the couple dozen boats that I have installed these on were. But I have not installed one on a Grady, so maybe the gunwale isn't that thick? If it's only 1/2" or 3/4"... I agree - a backer plate like SB, Marine/PT wood or even better an Al or SS plate.

 

[Fishtales]

Winterville Machine Works has a marine division that does the support structure for the hardtops as well as hardtop rod holders. I would guess they do the in gunnel rod holders too.

https://www.wmwworks.com/

This is a link to their rodholders.
https://www.wmwmarine.com/rodholders.html

 

[Greyduk]

I am thinking about using them with downriggers with a 10 lb ball. I would be afraid to use them without backing plates.


Thank you for all the replies.

 

[georgemjr]

The answer to you actual question is Perko. There were a couple different models of that rod holde that grady used. GW parts can definitely tell you the model number for your boat. A backing plate certainly can’t hurt. It may need trimmimg depending on how much room you have around it.

 

[DennisG01]

Agree - if you're doing downriggers, it's a good idea to do a backing plate. As mentioned, it certainly can't hurt.

Most rod holder manufacturer's make standard grade and heavy grade - although they may call it something different. Often, the difference is things like the thickness of the tube wall and the top plate. However, as far as which "brand" Grady used - it won't matter. Attwood is another good manufacturer to look at - you'll be happy with either Attwood or Perko. I honestly wouldn't worry about who made it for Grady - when it comes to sizing, rod holders are rod holders are rod holders. Point is, don't go crazy trying to find who made it for Grady - it won't matter in the end. Do note, though, that you can get rod holders in different "angles", so get the one that would work best for you.

 

[georgemjr]

If you are trying to match the backing plate to existing rod holders, their pipe size and bolt pattern, and they are manufacturer installed with GW engraved, then they are Perko.

 

[DennisG01]

If you are trying to match the backing plate to existing rod holders, their pipe size and bolt pattern, and they are manufacturer installed with GW engraved, then they are Perko.

Reading back through his original post, maybe you're right that he ALREADY has rod holders. I was under the impression, initially, that he was going to add them - along with plates. But, it should be easy enough to make your own backing plates, right?

 

[Fishtales]

The GW gunnel rod holders use thru bolts. The bolts are not all that thick, I'd say 1/4 or 3/8 in diameter. A metal backing plate could be used, just need to size for the hole pattern and under gunnel area.

 

[drbatts]

I have added additional rod holders in my last 2 Gradys. Both in the gunnels and in the transom. In both boats I used Lee's with backing plates. Also remember to seal the holes with epoxy before installing.

 

[journeyman]

At the 3 minute mark of this video, you will see a rod holder get ripped out. It was a light duty rod holder held in with just screws. They were using it for the wrong application but it shows how it can happen. Don't just skip to the 3 minute mark, the entire video has awesome scenery!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J2u7_03yMU

 

[DennisG01]

Cool video, for sure. Near the end, they showed a close-up of the pulled-out rod holder. It kinda looks like there might be some rotten wood on the threads... but I TOTALLY didn't have that kind of heavy use in mind when this thread first started!!! But with the limited info, I guess it was hard to know exactly what the OP was after, at first. Also gotta wonder how thick that gunwale is, but if it had a backer plate, I think it's safe to say that it would not have pulled out.

 

[Fishtales]

A rod holder pulled out? I must have missed that....
If you are going to install a backer plate, make sure the pin inside the rod holder is adequate. You could end up reinforcing a holder that the next weakest link is the pop riveted pin.....