Gunnel SeaDek & Rod Holders for Champion

[Rojo]

Since my new 184 Champion is a dual console jig poles will need to ride on the gunnels. To accomplish this the gunnels need to be covered with SeaDek. Fortunately I happen to have a bunch of lite Blue SeaDek in stock. The first step is patterning the gunnels.



On the cutting table using .005 Acetate I layout 2 rough oversized pattern pieces. The SeaDek is 77in long so I mark 77 inches on each pattern piece. Since the widest part of the gunnel is less than 8 inches I go 9 inches wide at the Stern to 7 inches wide at the Bow.



Once cut I roll them up and head to the boat. I double the straight edges to reach the full length of the pattern pieces to mark where to cut.



Using a 14ft jig pole I first figure out how are forward from the Stern will it reach and place masking tape there. Then move up 77 inches and place another piece of tape. Once done I measure another 77 inches up for the last piece of masking tape. Now SeaDek shrinks so you want to leave a gap between the two pieces so when it shrinks later you don't notice it.



I use the straight edges to keep the pattern markings as straight as possible but if you look at the picture where I'm working around the Stbd console I freehand around the radius keeping the pen on the flat part of the gunnel but tracing right around where the fiberglass starts to roll up to the console. Once you get to the curved area of the gunnel gripping the pen and holding the tip where you want the SeaDek to follow the curve you pull your elbow backwards while your fingers follow the curve. It is surprisingly easy to follow the radius right around to the beginning of a straight line.

I missed a picture, a Reel Holder like this will be mounted on each side as well as I will need to add a piece of brake metal somewhere in the back to keep the rod tips inside the boat.