I got more cleanup of all the spatter of welding these, drilled a few holes to try a dress them up a little, deburred that; then I case colored them with what stainless does all on its own with just a little help. Still have a few holes to drill and tap in the rod rack stanchion leg and then I have decided to clear coat the raw aluminum for now. Have not decided if I will plastic coat the stainless rod racks or just leave them all case colored as they are here below. It's not like the catfish are really going to care lol. I just need to make my mind up I guess, and why I can be my worse enemy...

I doubled the thickness of the base plate that U-bolts to the cleat, it had to much flex for me, sure it would have been fine, but it's much better now. Here is a temporary pic or two of how it's all going to look together.

I got the 4 hook tie back eyes colored and installed and this thing is ready for a lake test to see if it's going to work or if there are more changes to be made. I would be guilty of going to the lake right now but we have wind in the 30 mph and gusting well above that right now.

The lake is not that much a concern in the wind, this 21' boat does fine, it's getting back on the trailer bothers me more lol... It's like the ramp down at Port O'Connor Texas, getting on and off the trailer down there is a big challenge, they have bleachers at the ramp!!! It's quite the activity to sit and watch everyone try to launch and load there.

You catch the wave or waves wrong and you can literally knock the bow right off the boat or worse. Many nice Bluewater boats tore up there. Guys can go sit in the bleachers and learn how others achieve the task or fail. There are certain things you do, one being you always have all your bilge pumps going when you start the process and you always take water over the stern of your vessel lol...

I put my smackdowns on a board mounted to a seat pedestal. I'd love to have a couple MulTbars but man those are pricey.
This works for now - I have a couple upgrades in mind. I wish I could fabricate like you.

Well thanks for the comment, but those you have there look really good. My rods with the Balancer on the butt of each rod does not fit those rod holders. I like those you have too. Nothing wrong with your rod holders mounted to the board either. Looks like a great set as is.

Ok, was given the permission to share a couple of pix from Wesley Mann of Spread'M Planner boards, rod racks and how he made his own bases to mount the Smack down rod holders on his boat. His boat certainly looks to be a real stand out. I figure with all the rods out and fishing it would be like an octopus lol. Then there is that slick 250ss Suzuki on the tail of her. I bet this rig of his and all colored to match while fishing looks killer...

I am looking so forward to getting the new Spread 'M Planner boards I ordered yesterday from him. Heck this guy was awesome to work with, he went way out of his way to try and get me what I need to drag baits around, the whole time come to find out he was getting ready to fish a tournament today! Most people when busy getting ready for something like that won't mess with someone like me that has no idea what to get or what I need. Heck I felt guilty after hearing he was getting ready to fish a tournament. Anyway, you guys have a look/see here with how he made ways to mount the Smack down rod holders, might give some of you guys ideas on how to do the same for your rigs. He doesn't make anything to mount rod racks or rod racks in general, he does build the Spread'M Planner boards though.

Well, had the boat out for about 3 hours yesterday. Had the new MadKats-Green Goblin in the rack and these freaking rods are incredible. I snagged a cedar tree just off a shallow point with one of my 3 oz sinkers, I was fighting a pretty stiff wind and was on the bow using the trolling motor and that rod went down hard. I knew I was snagged up, I was trying to move off that wooded point lol.

I took the rod out of my rack and cranked the boat back to the snag. Must say the sinker came right out once I got on top of the cedar. What I was so impressed with was that Green Goblin, I was pulling on it withe the weight of my TR-21 and a stiff east wind out flow from a small storm to the east of the lake.