Equipment mounting rails? What do ya think?

[Moose-Hunter]

I've been looking at mounting some rails/tracks on my new boat for riggers and rod holders.

What you you folks think of these track systems as opposed to hard point mounts like deck plates for each individual item...

Been looking real close at Bert's gear. Cool stuff! Spendy, but cool!

[Het]

I have a few buddies with the Bert's tracks. They are extremely 'user friendly', and you can put just about anything in them, and move as needed. I did, However, have a buddy with a StarCraft that had them either factory mounted, or dealer mounted. They just used screws to mount it to the top rail of the gunnel, which is plywood wrapped aluminum. Our first trip to Ontario salmon fishing using his riggers had the screws tearing out of the top rail. We found a hardware store, and bought some stainless screws with fender washers and nylock nuts and did it right. If you're gonna use riggers, as you say, use the right mounting hardware.

[Moose-Hunter]

Het... VERY good point!! Wood screws ain't gonna cut it!!

I've already started fabbing up backer plates for the rails. These plate will bridge the gap between two mounting bolts, perpendicular to the length of the track. Think of them kind of like a long retangular fender washer. I've seen first hand the result of "un-engineered" mounting of riggers. Not fun!!

Seems like common sense. However, it's always good to bring it up every time so we don't get lazy!