How to install flush mount rod holders

My new 2023 Mako 18 LTS did not come with any flush mount rod holders on side or back and most new boat dealerships will not install them so that left it up to me as a novice to figure it out. After building up the courage to cut a hole in my perfect boat and watching UA-cam videos on the subject, we got the ball rolling. I hope this video helps if you find yourself in this situation.

[@RustyFLL]

GREAT VIDEO! You did the dirty work first...THANK YOU SIR!

[@flipkilby]

thank you for great video: watched as I prepare to install similar rod holder (mine is for adapting a gas grill table). HUMBLE suggestions: 1. use 4200 instead of 5200 - why? you never know when you might have to remove/replace/mod (ex chrome could tarnish). 4200 + the fasteners offers def excess necessary mechanical strength - and you can remove 4200 with using a jack hammer. 2. after you drill pilot holes, use a 3/8" bit, set your drill to REVERSE to countersink slightly the gelcoat. Reverse will keep your bit from digging in to the gelcoat and underlying fiberglass; countersink will relieve stress and prevent the gelcoat from cracking. holes without this surface stress relief will 95% develop spider cracks within a few years. hint: just barely countersink until you see the underlying fiberglass. again - great video!

[@mtnguyen1696]

What’s 4200 and 5200 again?

[@oceandeepfishing4555]

Ok, nice video and detailed information. Great job on that. One thing I would say is if your going to be trolling for big fish (like tuna or kingfish, ect). I would definitely use a backing plate on the underneath gunnel and would use a threw bolt and nut, not just screws.
Trust me, I learned from experience. Too much pressure will pull on those screws and uppull your fiberglass.
Enjoy your new boat. Looks beautiful

[@simoneangelini1069]

Thanks brother, very useful!!

[@oceandeepfishing4555]

Next time when your trying to duplicate the mount from one side to the other, here is a good trick.
Since you have exact lines on both sides, you can measure from, take a piece of tracing paper. Do one side with your screw holes and pilot hole. Line the paper up with the measurement lines that are on the boat. Then mark those points with your marker. Then go to the other side of the boat and turn the paper upside down lining up the lines on the boat just like you did the other side. You will see all the marks threw the paper easy. Now mark the boat and you will have the exact measurements as the other side without having to do all the measuring you did.

[@fishingfromsandiego]

Great video. I have heard that you should tape up the surface of wherever you are going to drill so that the gelcoat doesn't chip. Not sure how much it matters. Also, what about backing plates?
I don't have backing plates on my rod holders, but I think I should add them at some point.

[@jeffmartin2810]

Love the videos!

[@jimelmore9728]

Excellent job!

[@tankty6977]

Great job man

[@gruntsculpin1]

I see you went to a lot of trouble measuring the top of your boat to get the placement of the rod holder, but I found that it saves a lot of time and trouble if you just drill a small hole through from the bottom first, in the centre of where you want the holder, then drill from the top, job is done in 10 minutes! Fyi for the future 😁

[@mgsfishing]

Makes sense. Yes hindsight is 20 20

[@Star_of_the_new_moon]

How have the Amazon rod holders held up so far?

[@mgsfishing]

Still going strong.

[@christianrogers2361]

Would relocating the light socket slightly inboard have been an option?

[@mgsfishing]

Maybe but more work than Inwanted to do. There still is the issue of that interior fiberglass wall from the storage compartment

[@jhup9448]

Nice 👍👍