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The 1988 Montauk 17 I bought had the wrong cooler cleats and no cooler or rod holders so I decided to try to get it back to the original configuration. I made the cooler cleats from mahogany using the prints located here (came out nicely). I also made the rod holders using the drawings located here along with the mounting instructions. Everything came out and installed nicely. Then I received my Anderson cooler seat cushion and rod holder back cushions. I found that the 94 Qt. Igloo recommended here along with the seat cushion is too high when it sits against the center console. I don't think moving it forward enough will be a good idea because of the V narrowing towards the bow. When the rod holder cushions are installed it gets worse. The cooler will not open (placing the opening towards the stern makes it a little better. It seems the only solution is to add some pieces to the rod holder mounts to allow the backrest cushions to be installed higher than the rod holders. This actually will put therm in a more comfortable height (with the 94 Qt. cooler and cushion). Unfortunately it will hamper the use of the rod holders because of reels protruding. I guess I might use the cushions when riding around and just unsnap them and stow when carrying rods. The boat is not at my home so I only get to work on it sporadically.
I was wondering if anyone has the same cooler / rod holder / cushion set up.
Any comments on this will bill appreciated.