JEM Watercraft

Hi Chaps,

Looking to attach a few things to the Southwind during the build. The ones giving me the most cause for thought are the rod holders.

I have purchased some Cabela holder with the flush deck mounts (excellent service as everyone has suggested) so this means I'm about to drill 1 inch holes in the deck and potentially weaken the deck in these areas. I am hoping that I cab attach two holders about half way down the cockpit which is probably the weakest spot so I'm looking for the best ways to strengthen the deck at this point.

I have considered sticking extra thicknesses of ply to spread the load as well as adding extra bracing each side of the mount similar to those in the plan to strengthen the deck for strapping to the rack on the car. The coming is also going to add some strength.

Do I need to add extra strength to these areas? I do intend to use the holders for trolling in open water and hope to get in to some large fish at which time I imagine there are some large lever forces at play.

An alternative would be to build a thwart/cockpit which is strong enough to take the rods and can be removed if I'm not fishing and can also be adjusted to optimally position the holders.

Thoughts/suggestions welcomed

Thanks,

Tor

I'd add/glue a "patch" that is about 1/2" [12mm] wider all around the perimeter of the rod holder base. That should help distribute the load. If you think you'd latch onto some really large fish while the rod is in the holder, might want to add a layer of fiberglass over the patch and laying onto the hull.

I did the same as Matt sugested and have had no problems.................my rod holders are Ram when something hits hard the holder seems to fold over on the ball mount rather than stress deck fixings


If you get something really big I think your main problem will be getting the rod out of the holder.

Cheers Paul

I made a removable portage yoke, from Matt's free plans, that clamps onto the coaming for carrying my South Wind. It would be easy to make a similar but wider one to fit the rod holders into.

I just looked at my South Wind 15-30, there is very little space between the coaming and the edge of the deck panel for most of the length of the cockpit. You might have trouble fitting the flush mount in there, but I don't know just how big the mount is and my coaming ended up being not quite according to specs.

G'day Tor,

This works well enough for me mate.





I use my Southwind to fish for barra, mangrove jack and spanish mackeral - tackle destroyers all

Never had a problem with the mounts.

Cold and wet weekend here so it was a weekend of planning...

Jimmy is right there's no room on the side to mount holders so I think I'll make something similar to what Mick has. I expect to use the Southwind with my son so I will probably mount one holder on the front deck and a thwart/bracket with will have space to store the tackle and have the rod holders/fishfinder/gps mounted.

more thinking to be done...