250 XF fishing mods

[Rickh]

Hey Gang,

Just purchased an 84 250 XF I/O. It's strange but the boat only has 2 rod holders on the aft corners. The boat also has a bimini but no hardtop. I am looking to install several more rod holders but a quick look at the gunnels has me wondering if it is feasible. I won't be picking the boat up until sometime next week and I want to be ready to get them installed when I get it. Any issues with installing 2 more rod holders in the gunnels with a slight angle out for trolling? Any tips?

Also, there is a cleat on the port side gunnel. I hate obstructions and would look to install a hawse pipe and relocate the cleat underneath. Can this be done? Or would a popup cleat be a better solution?

Any other suggestions for rod holders/storage. Looks like the cuddy may not hold 7' rods??

Thanks in advance.

Tight lines.

Rick

[mshugg]

You should be able to instal at least one more pair of rod holders further forward on the covering boards.  Getting the angle right will be tricky but doable.  A pull up/pop up cleat will be easier.  Just make sure you completely seal under the clear so water can’t enter the foam.  A hard top or top tower will offer many more options for rod holders, outrigger, etc than any Bimini.

[RickK]

I'm not sure he has covering boards, looking at pics of that and around that year models. I think we need to see some pics. If you are replacing top mounted cleats, you can, as mshugg recommends is go with pop up cleats but make sure you reinforce the underside of the liner where you make the cut out so in case someone tries to lift the boat by the cleat, it won't be ripped out of the liner. I think I used 6 or 8 layers of 1708 (1/4-38" thick). The pics I saw in the catalogs show rod holders that don't impede the rod tip of a pole. Pics,pics, pics.

[Rickh]

This is the only pic of the inside that I have now. The original owner mounted a downrigger base. It overhangs the cap by quite a bit. I am really not sure if I can get flush rodholders to fit:(. 

[Capt. Bob]

It would be nice to have a clear shoot of the gunnels but...

You have room to add additional rod holders amidship on them. That was in fact an outrigger option from Aquasport. I had it on my 84 222 CCP. I have it on my 91 WAC so yes you can add additional holders.


 
As for a hause, I had that on my CCP also. The factory rear cleats were located in the corner below the gunnel. I cut in the pipes so the lines didn't chafe on the sides of the gunnel.



https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=3981.0

The hull in the foreground is my 210. Notice amidship rod holder in gunnel.



87 250


Here's a 250. Look at the last set (6) of Photo Bucket pics (link is in the first post).

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=3981.0

Good luck.

[captaincahill8]

On my 1981 XF someone added two sets of rod holders to my cover boards. Honestly IMO I would get a set of clip ons to go oh the supports for the rail right at the steps for the walkaround and call it a day. The extra rod holders that have been added now get in the way and pretty much block off anything I try and place in the teak gunnel rod holders because the tubes from the extra rod holders shoot down and get in the way. Instead you could add too a rod holder on each side of the transom splash gate as well there is your six rod holders with no extra holes in the cover boards :)

[Rickh]

My concern was making the under gunnel storage unusable. Mine is an IO. I could mount holders on the engine cover. The clamp ons may be the way to go. Strange for a boat marketed as an Express Fisherman not to have enough rod holders??

[GoneFission]

I did something similar on my CCP.  You can check it out here:  http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=3103.msg19984#msg19984 

Good luck and see ya on the water!