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Any suggestions for a simple clean rod holder to mount on Whaler rail? I would prefer stainless steel and I don't want to drill any holes in the fiberglass. I have a SS15 with the rail that goes 3/4 of the way back on each side I can mount them on horizontal or vertical rails but I really like clean and simple. Thanks

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You want rail mount rod holders, widely available from many manufacturers.

In the old days, the Whaler gold standard was the Lee Rail Mount Rod Holder, which Whaler offered as optional equipment. Unfortunately Lee has discontinued them.

Currently, in my estimation, the best holder currently available is now from Perko. This is the highest quality rail mount holder you can now obtain, made like the Lee's in chrome on brass. The price is not as much as Lee charged. I have mostly the older Lee's on my boats, but have recently purchased some of these Perko units and they are very nice. Highly recommended.

http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/9-111...8DPCHR.htm

If you click on the Rod holder menu at the bottom of the page, you can see lower cost options in SS from several companies, all made in China.

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Agree on rail mounts. Quality depends what you are using the rod holder for, I troll for tuna and other pelagics - a quality stainless steel rod holder is used in those locations - the west marine model 8674087 is a good example (about $99.00). It has a gimbal holder in the bottom and 4 screws that clamp on the rail, not 2.

If you are using the rod holder for holding rods when not in use, the lower priced models are acceptable. I always use lock tite when securing them.

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I have bought the Attwood stainless steel for 30$ on amazon in may. so far been great. a little rust color after the season from the bolt but not much.

not sure if the link works but this is title on amazon: its list at $26.36
Attwood Stainless Steel Clamp on Rod Holder

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKELHS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

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I've been using the West stainless steel holders for twenty years in mostly salt water fishing. They've served me well and I recommend them. I also recommend lock tite be used when mounting these holders to including the allen screw used to hold the mount to the tube. I use these holders all the time and they stand up well holding rods in a nasty chop. I do use bungee cords to secure the rods when underway. I've never had a speck of corrosion on mine. The holders are frequently on sale at a much better price.

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I have CE Smith, West Marine, and aftermarket Ebays. When used in saltwater......all still the same shininess. However, I did pick up the CE Smith (pricey at 75$ plus on sale) because my horizontal mounts scratched the stainless when trolling 2lb + balls for salmon. Had to tighten the heck out of them and they still swiveled a bit. Go vertical mount if trolling with lead on line. WhalerBob turned me onto the CE Smith.
Garris

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Thanks for the input. I will probably be using them mostly for holding the rods and not for trolling.

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The West Marine version also has the ability to rotate the bottom pin for optimum placement.

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I'm glad they're working out Garris. The problem with many of the rail mount holders is by the time you tighten them enough so they won't slip they dent and chew the rail. Also, over time the backing plate on models like Perko will bend and eventually fail plus they are prone to pitting and corrosion.

CE Smith has a ceramic insert that fits perfectly around the rail so dent, no slip, and extremely high quality solid stainless. My only issue with them is they only come in 15 degrees so for fishing straight down from the rod holder it's not ideal.

[IMG]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/Whaler1989/photobucket-2082-1330527813435.jpg[/IMG]

Here's me fighting a shark from the rod holder on a 50VSW, no way I'd do that with anything else.
http://youtu.be/5N-dFjP9MAU

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Bob,
Yeh! The CE Smith rod holder a beautiful piece of hardware. I placed them on a couple of uprights where clearance was critical because of downrigger placement. I overbought mine. Where I had space on my rail uprights I used a standard adjustable rail mount rod holder and was able to adjust the angle so the rod went a little more parallel to the water.

We caught a Mako shark out here a month or so ago (Bodega CA) trolling for tuna when the warm water was here. I was on a buds boat and a fun filled 45 minute fight for a 60 lb fish. Not a leaper like yours. Thought it was a Blue Fin until it got closer to the boat. Nearly spooled the reel. I was told great eating but....non descript to me. Still nice having meat in the freezer with a 3 way split. My best and the video looks great.

Garris

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The jumper was Dolphin / Mahi, caught 5 that day... I had hopes for a Mako, that first one that broke off may have been one, I had it on a solid rod with 80# line and wire to the hook but somehow the 150# wind-on leader broke as it got close. The multiple replay of it breaking was for my friend Andy that made the leader for me :)