Stainless rod holders without inserts?

chiroken

Member
I'm looking at getting some stainless steel rod holders to mount to my hardtop but they don't have nylon/plastic inserts. Will this be an issue? Will the rods get damaged without the inserts? I've never used them before and looking forward to not having rods laying up in the cuddy all of the time. Thanks.
 
would say make sure you can get an insert that fits or get ones that have one already if there too slim then an insert won't work make sure they have a flare at the top as well cork or carbon, duplon is still going to be open to vibration and impacts
 
When my boat was built the aluminum rod holders didn't have liners in them. It was OK for the Bottom fishing rods because there was a pin at the bottom of the holder. Most bottom rods have the crosshair style bottoms for using fighting belts to keep them from twisting. They are also longer butt sections than down rigging rods. However, with the shorter butts on the downrigger rods the reel seat sat on the aluminum holder and being anal I knew it would wear. I thought about moving the pins higher on some of the holders but ultimately, I found rubber insert caps for my holders on Amazon. They only go in a few inches but keep the seat protected nicely. Long winded explanation of not putting inserts in but a good solution as well....lol
 

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would say make sure you can get an insert that fits or get ones that have one already if there too slim then an insert won't work make sure they have a flare at the top as well cork or carbon, duplon is still going to be open to vibration and impacts
Thanks. These are custom built ones without liners. So I guess I’d have to know the internal/external diameter to see if I can find inserts.
 
When my boat was built the aluminum rod holders didn't have liners in them. It was OK for the Bottom fishing rods because there was a pin at the bottom of the holder. Most bottom rods have the crosshair style bottoms for using fighting belts to keep them from twisting. They are also longer butt sections than down rigging rods. However, with the shorter butts on the downrigger rods the reel seat sat on the aluminum holder and being anal I knew it would wear. I thought about moving the pins higher on some of the holders but ultimately, I found rubber insert caps for my holders on Amazon. They only go in a few inches but keep the seat protected nicely. Long winded explanation of not putting inserts in but a good solution as well....lol
Love the look of yours! I have to mount a bit further to the bow on my hardtop to keep the curtain snaps accessible. I too thought the reel seat might sit on the top of the holder and do damage and I don’t know if there are bottom pins, I’m guessing no. These are custom built ones without liners. So I guess I’d have to know the internal/external diameter to see if I can find inserts.
 
These were custom built made by the builder as well. Pretty sure it's just 1 1/4" aluminum pipe and the amazon caps fit perfect. The holders on the side of the cabin are 2" and I had one put on each side thinking it would be for a net holder. The cab is wrapped and the net slops around too much for my liking, so it just rides on the roof. In the end its far more convenient there anyways..... Post up some pictures once it's all installed.
Love the look of yours! I have to mount a bit further to the bow on my hardtop to keep the curtain snaps accessible. I too thought the reel seat might sit on the top of the holder and do damage and I don’t know if there are bottom pins, I’m guessing no. These are custom built ones without liners. So I guess I’d have to know the internal/external diameter to see if I can find inserts.
 
I'm looking at getting some stainless steel rod holders to mount to my hardtop but they don't have nylon/plastic inserts. Will this be an issue? Will the rods get damaged without the inserts? I've never used them before and looking forward to not having rods laying up in the cuddy all of the time. Thanks.
Built probably a thousand rod holders in my time and never used liners and never had an issue. Look inside where the weld is and check for burn through. Can file or grind it smooth if you do find someIMG_2397.jpeg
 
When my boat was built the aluminum rod holders didn't have liners in them. It was OK for the Bottom fishing rods because there was a pin at the bottom of the holder. Most bottom rods have the crosshair style bottoms for using fighting belts to keep them from twisting. They are also longer butt sections than down rigging rods. However, with the shorter butts on the downrigger rods the reel seat sat on the aluminum holder and being anal I knew it would wear. I thought about moving the pins higher on some of the holders but ultimately, I found rubber insert caps for my holders on Amazon. They only go in a few inches but keep the seat protected nicely. Long winded explanation of not putting inserts in but a good solution as well....lol
Do you know what the Amazon product is or what search term you used to find it?
 
When my boat was built the aluminum rod holders didn't have liners in them. It was OK for the Bottom fishing rods because there was a pin at the bottom of the holder. Most bottom rods have the crosshair style bottoms for using fighting belts to keep them from twisting. They are also longer butt sections than down rigging rods. However, with the shorter butts on the downrigger rods the reel seat sat on the aluminum holder and being anal I knew it would wear. I thought about moving the pins higher on some of the holders but ultimately, I found rubber insert caps for my holders on Amazon. They only go in a few inches but keep the seat protected nicely. Long winded explanation of not putting inserts in but a good solution as well....lol
I had the exact same experience. The bottom fishing rigs were fine, but the islander/technium combo was making contact. I used these to fix the problem. The fit was pretty tight, so I put them in a pot of boiling water to soften them up for the install. When they cooled it was a perfect fit.

 
I had the exact same experience. The bottom fishing rigs were fine, but the islander/technium combo was making contact. I used these to fix the problem. The fit was pretty tight, so I put them in a pot of boiling water to soften them up for the install. When they cooled it was a perfect fit.


Those are the ones I used. I see you can get other colors now as well if that matters at all.
 
Built probably a thousand rod holders in my time and never used liners and never had an issue. Look inside where the weld is and check for burn through. Can file or grind it smooth if you do find someView attachment 117449

I agree with shorter ones that are flaired I'm sure it's fine. Mine just happened to be longer which I do like for a bit more security but the rub on the seat was an issuse.
 
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posted a tip about gimbal holders and reels catching against the top lip drop a concrete rebar chair in it will raise it so it wont catch
 
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