Rod Holder '97 290 DA

Good Grief

Good Grief

New Member
Mar 26, 2008
314
Lusby, MD
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 1998
Engines
4.3L V-6's w/ Alpha 1 Gen 2 drives
I want to install a rod holder on the gunwale (?) on the starboard side near where the fold down step is but I have no access to this area from any angle. I need some place to put the magma grill, i have a mount on the swim platform and a pole but it's not the best location as it interferes w/ boat to boat traffic when rafted up. Do you 290 DA owners have rod holders and if so, where.
 
Search for "magma grill install" and look for the thread by bigblockcutlass named "Magma Grills".
See post # 13. There is a pic of my port side install on my '98 290. I went thru the breaker closet by the transom entry door.
 
Just a "wondering" thing... you guys aren't installing this from underneath, are you?
 
Thanks. I have the larger Magma Grill, the mount shown in the thread would not work. I need a rod holder... Was hoping to find someone who's been into the starboard side of the boat between the shore power connection and the fold down step.
 
@ Lazy. Sorry, Lazy, my bad. I did not go thru the breaker closet I surface mounted the grill mount.

@ Good Grief. I know the area you are talking about. I have no idea what's hidden in there to watch out for. When & if you find out - I would like to know. Thanks.
 
jamesgang said:
@ Lazy. Sorry, Lazy, my bad. I did not go thru the breaker closet I surface mounted the grill mount.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I was thinking to myself "Boy, if these guys are drilling from underneath, then of course it's awful hard to do!"

So you guys are just worried about whether or not there is something in the way? From my experience, I haven't seen anything that you should be worried about - the major cables all dip down well before the area you're talking about. Maybe the wires for a stern light, if that's back there on your boat. I can't say for 100% positive on your model, but on the models I have worked on, I haven't seen anything up there. I'm not saying go all willy nilly at it, but I really doubt you'll have a problem.

Can you look up from the bilge area? Maybe a mirror and a flashlight?
 
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The area is closed from below. It's part of the top 1/2 of the boat.
 
Good Grief said:
The area is closed from below. It's part of the top 1/2 of the boat.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Not all models are closed off there - I wasn't sure about yours. Can you get to that area easily? Maybe drill an exploratory hole so you can see up into that cavity? Are your blower vents in that area?

If it was me, I would just go for it. Do it slowly with a pilot hole, stop as soon as you feel it break through. Then you can explore a little with a stick (or something similar). Then finish with the hole saw. That area that you are drilling through, by the way, is likely a good couple of inches thick.
 
I have the same delima when trying to find a spot on my port side gunwale (280DA). Not to highjack this thread for the 290, but the thought of just "going for it" scares me. I really want to just go for it, but...the consequences of a 1-1/2" hole in the topside of my boat that won't hold a rodholder are too severe!
 
I do understand. It's a little daunting when you don't know what's there - heck, just the fact of "thinking" of drilling a hole can make you crazy if you haven't done much of this. But, I've yet to see something in the area you guys are going at. Think of it this way... when the boat was built, it doesn't make much sense to try and fasten something there - there's much easier ways to do it.
 
That is true, but, there are at least 2 cleats in that area, plus the rod holder has some depth as well as angle, not comfortable w/ pilot hole method. I need to know before hand that what I start I can finish. The other thing is that a rod holder has the potential of being a rod holder size hole allowing water to get in which would need to be able to get out...
 
Understandable. All I can suggest is to check again below decks - maybe make a hole there so you can look up. I can't tell by looking at pictures - are there any bilge vents nearby? You could remove those to look.
 
Ok, now I am interested so that I am going to do some "looking" on my 290 just to see what I can see. I'm thinking we ought to be able to dissemble the fold-down step's carpeted lining or/remove the whole thing; or unscrew the wall in the transom locker which holds the power/tv/water inlets for a look-see. I can't remember if is removeable or not tho.

Our bilge vents are on each side at the bottom of the arch, not in the hull.
 
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jamesgang said:
Our bilge vents are on each side at the bottom of the arch, not in the hull.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Could you post some pics of the various areas?

Are you saying the fold-down step is removable?

If you guys are really intent on seeing in there first, you could always cut an access hole and install a deck plate. Or how about install a small cubby or built-in storage bin?
 
The very useful step folds down out of a sort of built-in cubby on the starboard side between the arch and where the person in the pic is sitting, about where her knees would be. I would almost bet it is a unit and would come out and (hopefully) go back in. I don't have access to any pics at the moment but I probably have some showing the area & step.
 
From what you're describing, it sounds like (hopefully) that is your access point. If you do find any pics, please post them. Sounds promising, though!
 
From my inspecting, that step is assembled as part of the top 1/2 of boat. I did not take the frame off for a deeper inspection but I could find no way to disassemble the step to gain access. It sure would make things easy if that were the case.
 
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Thanks, James. It looks like there are four screws holding that face plate on - looks like screw caps? There may be more screws inside, sometimes hidden in the carpet. Take the step assembly out and see what you see.

There also a speaker right there in that area.
 
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I did not think of the speaker. I've replaced that speaker a while back but did not look inside the hole. that could be a possibility if you can (without dropping it) wrangle your flashlight in there enough to see. The step unit is enclosed so it may block any view. There is also an oval shaped cut-out in the stbd wall under the removeable small bench seat by that speaker, that might give you a look-see too. I don't think it's big enough to get your head in there but a mirror & flashlight might work. You might also consider giving Sea Ray a call, tell them about your project, ask if the step is removeable or if there is any way to gain access to the area above it. Also you might look for pics of other similar Sea Rays that might have installed a rod holder there. After seeing what was behind my microwave and closet walls, I'll bet there's a good chance of some wiring being in there.
 
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