'99 ZX185 ???

[Rick CT]

Hello people, I purchased this boat in Nov., I am getting it ready for this season. I would like to know if someone makes a rod holder system for the port (left) rod locker. the tube system would be fine since I have a lighted locker., Does Skeeter make one? Also I was looking for a swim ladder for this boat, since I fish with a 12 and 10 year old, sometimes we want to just jump in for a swim. I want a foldup and stow away when not in use ladder. Thanks, Rick

[jfdawson]

I used to have a 2000 ZX 185 and I bought this one.

http://www.ospreyproducts.com/index2.ivnu

To be honest, you could make one yourself out of Golf bag tubes and wood from Home Depot for about 1/4 the cost, but if your looking for the 1 stop shop version the Osprey will work for you.

JD

[bassmants]

I used the Osprey ones also. Worked Great. To do over again, I would build it myself after seeing how it was done.

[fastlife]

I have a 97 ZX 185c and I built my own for both of my rod boxes. I used the golf tubes, but instead of wood, I just bought the white cutting board simply because it is water proof,cheap, and won't rust or anything like that. It also looks pretty good and stable as well.

fastlife

[dcbassman]

Fastlife-
Any chance you could post a picture of your 'creation'? I was think of using the exact same stuff.

Thanks
DC

[fastlife]

Here are a few:

[Rick CT]

awsome pics, I can do that. that saves me cash for something else my wife wont find out about.. any ideas on a swim ladder???

[flippindrew]

what is holding the tip section up?

[fastlife]

Not sure if you mean the front portion of the rods, but I there are black golf tubes that the front portion of the rods slide into. The golf tubes are cheap and work very well. I just used a hole saw and drilled out the marked holes where I wanted them. I hope this answered your question Flippindrew. If you are wondering what is holding the actual white cutting board piece, It is partially wedged in there, but I did drill and install a small stainless screw in the top just as insurance to make sure it stays put.

fastlife

[GA SX190]

Great pics! Thanks!

[flippindrew]

fastlife, thanks for the info. yes, i was talking about the white piece. so you screwed it in at the top? did you mount a brace or bracket onto it to screw into? not really sure how you screwed it in. just curious, looks really good and id like to try to make one. thanks, drew.

[fastlife]

I did not mount a brace onto the white piece. I simply got a long enough stainless screw (#10 or #12) I think and drilled a pilot hole through the top of fiberglass and into the top of the white piece. It will take just a little measuring to get the hole where you want it, but nothing hard at all. I only used one screw as I cut and trimmed the white piece to fit snuggly from the start. The small screw simply keeps the piece from moving at all.
Hope this helps. I also put some RTV onto the screw before I screwed it in just to seal it a bit. Maybe not needed, but that's just how I am.

Picture attached:

[flippindrew]

thanks for the info, think ill go for it. drew

[skeeterlesssx200]

Nice job fastlife... want to do mine for me?

[fastlife]

Thanks, I could definitely knock it out if you were closer. This project was really inexpensive and didn't take long at all. The longest part was actually measuring the cardboard template to trace onto the cutting board. Trimmed with scissors until it was to my liking and then traced the template onto my cutting board. Jigsaw to cut pattern and holesaw to cut holes for tubes. They work great.

[Rick CT]

Hey fastlife,, what did you use to hold up the butt end of the poles?

[fastlife]

If you take a look at the last picture that I posted, it shows a black item that holds the butt end of the top rods. That black piece is the rod holders that you can get at Walmart for about $8-$10 I think that is the cost, not much at all. I just removed the foam insertt that come with the rod holder set. I used one for each side. Hope this helps.