Rod Holders attached to a cooler?

[Shady]

I recent replaced my 10 year old crappy fishing cooler with an igloo marine 25. Now I'm thinking I might want to attach some rod holders to the cooler. Has anyone done this? My simple idea is to just use stainless self-tapping screws that will protrude about 1/4" passed the inside wall of the cooler, cut up an old plastic cutting board to use as a backer, and seal everything with goop.

Whadyathink?

[archeryrob]

I would use bolts and washers. Cooler plastic walls are very thin and I bet it could strip out without spreading the force out like a washer would. If it was a solid thicker material, yeah it would work. Plus you can buy those nut caps to cover the ends of the bolts to protect anything inside the cooler or outside, depending on which end the bolt head is setup.

[Shady]

That's why I was going to use the cutting board as backer plate to spread the force out. Still don't think its a good idea?

[Shield]

I used nuts and bolts, but you should be fine with the cutting board.

[archeryrob]

The backer board should work, I must have stopped reading on that part.

[loupa5]

B-Yakin and Katfish-jones use a 24can cooler setup without drilling holes in a cooler. They use a ratchet strap to secure a 3 position rod rack from Basspro, and it does the job. Here's a picture showing B-Yakin's cooler/rodholer and a nice Blue Cat.

[J.A. Veil]

Ryan -

I have been using a 3-slot rod holder on the front of an Igloo cooler since the mid-1990s. It is great addition. I have used it in a portable capacity when I had a 23' boat, and now have the cooler installed in front of the console on my 16' boat. I used stainless steel bolts, washers, and nuts and cap nuts (to avoid sharp edges on the inside).

[Shady]

I was thinking about the ratchet strap solution, but I think I'd rather do something more permanent.

Thats a nice looking boat John, did you use any sealant such as goop or just bolt it all together?

[kevinfry]

why not use carriage bolts and put the heads on the inside? This would present far less obstruction. If you don't use the cutting board use a ss washer with a large nylon washer beneath.

[J.A. Veil]

Thats a nice looking boat John, did you use any sealant such as goop or just bolt it all together?

I just bolted it -- it has lasted for nearly 20 years with only an occasional tightening. If you plan to fill your cooler with liquid, you would be wise to seal the holes. Otherwise, the bolt is a snug fit in the drilled hole.

The photo in the middle is my current boat, the "Small but Perky" a 2000 Scout 162 Sportfish. After downsizing from a 23 ft Parker SE (the photo on the right), I chose the largest boat I could fit into my garage. The Scout was my selection.

Also on my Parker, I had a large Igloo cooler sitting on the floor at the bow area. I bolted two single rod holders onto the end of that cooler to provide more forward rod storage. After selling the boat, I kept the cooler and removed the two rod holders.

[DOGFISH]

I did a cooler for the kayak. I just used nylock nuts, screws and smaller fender washers. However, if you wanted to be fancy, you could use barrel nuts, which will fit flat on the inside. Just seal it up with silicone or goop.

[surfdog]

ive set up a couple 5 day coolers with wheels and rod holders to use on the pier or surf just used 2"pvc pipe and ss bolts and washers with lock nuts hasnt failed yet. i wouldnt trust screws the plactic on coolers isnt very thick and its all foam inbetween

[Katfish Jones]

As loupa5 said I used a ratchet strap so I didn't compromise the cooler. It seems to hold up nice no matter how much weight I put against it. If you end up doing something more heavy duty let me know how it works out.