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Can someone please point me in the right direction - I am looking for fishing rod holders for my 1989 Montauk RPS. As close to OEM, but doesn't have to be necessarily. Anything is better than what I have now which is nothing...
Thanks,
Steve

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Have you read our "OEM Parts Photos and Info" section yet?
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=91

The last time I heard the Perko black ones are still available.
See the RPS Rod Holders in the link above.

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I don't have a source for the actual SS rod holder tube, but if you already have the tubes and are looking for the liner caps, as many are, this is what you want. Photo shows them installed on a pair of original RPS rod holder tubes. The outer lip has to be trimmed back to the height of the RPS wood top.

http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/l...w==/?ref=1

You can get them here:

http://www.marineengineparts.com/whit...-7003.html

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Interesting...do they just pull off?
(1988 Montauk)

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Thanks but I'm looking for the entire holders. Just a couple of holes in my RPS currently.
2" OD about 11" deep needed. I'll do some searching. Thanks.

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For OEM parts, the first place to check is with Sue Lodel, Parts Manager, Twin Cities Marine.

www.beacontcm.com

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If you need complete rod holders, the best solution is use the Lee 0 degree flush mount rod holders. They make a beautiful installation and drop right into the existing holes in the seatback top. You want model #RH527VS

http://www.leetackle.com/flushmount.htmlmount.html

You can see them installed here in my boat:

http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/l...DM=/?ref=1

If cost is an issue, you can probably find less expensive Chinese copies.

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Thanks - Love your mercury outboards!

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I just noticed when measuring the rod holder holes in my RPS that the holes aren’t even centered on the short dimension. Is this normal?
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dizu3r69gr...JrY2a?dl=0

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I would say not typical.

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Finnegan, Great suggestion because not only do they look great but it also eliminates the rod holders lifting out of the RPS.

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Not typical, always centered-

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Apparently not always... :)

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No, they were never drilled this way by Boston Whaler-

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Well, it is the original seat back from a 1989 Montauk. Weird.
Boat in question: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/92slywlyd1...gA8Ma?dl=0

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I found that when working on my 1979 22' Revenge.........when first purchased all seemed square and aligned. Once I started repairing/retrofitting/customizing not all the angles and moldings true. However, when put together at the factory craftsmen did the assembling to make some of the slight mismatches appear aligned and correct. So, as I have proceeded I found that some of my miter cuts needed to appear square and "reveals" consistent even though my tape measure and miter box said otherwise. I preferred it looking correct than measuring correct. An example would be the wooden rod holders underneath my gunnels. None of the were perfectly exactly alike but the all appeared identical installed.

I wouldn't sweat out slightly off center holes or some slight misalignment's. If the RPS hole alignment for the rod holders really bothered me (and it might very well would) I would wow the holes and center the holders if the rod holders hardware could hide the voids and still be installed structurally.

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My 1984 Outrage Cuddy 22 has the same sloppy drilling with the original RPS.

When I built replacement gunwales for my Outrage 18 a few years ago, I learned that the hawsepipe placement was not in exactly the same location on each side.

Hand finished boats. Every one is an individual...imperfect just like people.

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Well said Marko. Another example was my mentioning of my gunnel rod holders. There is an ever so slight radius to the walls of the underside of my gunnels. The installer scribed the wood and individually matched the radius cut. I just stepped into my cabin and saw just how out of square the step is........not a big deal. Reminds of some lines from Robin Williams to Matt Damon in "Good Will Hunting". He was talking relationships and it was the imperfections in people that were the most endearing. The same with these vessels.

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I must be winter-but anyway, if you drill those 2" holes that much off center, you will be drilling into the 1/2" teak boards that make up the sides and back. Sure, it could have left the factory with them that screwed up, but not likely. Even when drilled properly, there is 0 room for error on this operation, and yeah, it would drive me crazy.

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I have seen a Lot of RPS seat backs and never seen off center holes. I wonder if someone else replaced the top piece on that RPS, which you could also do again.

Left as is, this is the reason to use the Lee recessed vertical rod holders. They have a large enough top flange to cover the off center situation. Simply grind out the holes as needed so the Lee holder will center, and screw them in at the center location.

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I put the Lee's in my Outrage 18' years ago and would do that with any other RPS of that vintage when the original rod holders or inserts wore out.

http://www.whalercentral.com/images/p...olders.jpg

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Like I said, must be winter. I meant to say front and back , 1/2", sides are 3/4"-I guess I could have worked for Boston Whaler, I'm far from perfect, and make plenty of mistakes.