Rod Storage 360 Convertible

[Artcruise]

I recently purchased a 2000 360 Convertible which I plan to fish the Bahamas. I am trying to put my fishing gear aboard and am curious as to where to store my fishing rods. I primarily have 4 - 6' tuna sticks and two 6' bent butt rods. Additionally I carry 4 6' spining outfits and a 7' sabiki rod.

None of the rods fit under the bottom bunk which is the suggested rod storage and if they did, there would only be room for about 4 rods. The only other solution I have is to put additional rod storage under the stairs in the overhead area but this is also a pain in the A.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Art

[Esquire]

Art,
I have the same boat, fish the Great Lakes, my rods are of the 8 foot range, the under the stairs option is equally a pain for me to get them out with out breaking them or poking someone's eye out. I have put rod hangers in the piping of the T top and hang them there. It works pretty good. Your shorter rods should fit nicely. The only problem is they are not really "secure". I suppose you could put some kind of lock on the holders.

Scott

[Artcruise]

Unfortunately I was broken into about a week ago - they stole a new 19 HD TV, my binoculars, and a Dewalt Boom Box. Good news was they did not look under the stairs where my Penn International 2 speeds are and didn't go to the bridge Raymarine E120.

Put an alarm on boat and console last weekend. Leaving anything out topside would just be inviting trouble. I guess things are getting tough out there - never had a breakin in the past 15 years.

Art

[CaptainJR]

Art, sorry to hear about the break-in. Sounds like you were somewhat fortunate with minimal losses.

Can you tell me what kind of alarm you installed? I've been thinking about doing the same.

[Artcruise]

I looked at several different systems and I decided that the inexpensive wireless home alarm from GE was best suited to what I wanted.

GE 45131 Choice Alert 45131 1 18.24
Wireless Door/Window
Sensor
GE 45136 Choice Alert 45136 1 31.81
Wireless External Audio
Alarm
GE 45142 Choice Alert 45142 1 35.09
Wireless Control Kit with 1 Wireless Door/Window sensor

I pluged the control unit in to the A/C circuit and mounted the key pad under the salon TV (26" flat panel) directly above AC thermostat with heavy duty velcro (easy to get to flashing LED visible from door and does not look out of place). Put one window/door contactor on the at the top starboard corner of the salon door to protect the cabin, Put a second window/door sensor on the bench seat on the bridge by attaching the the small contactor to the seat cushion with wire ties and the sender to the center post with heavy duty velcro. Figure you can't remove the flush mounted electronics without lifting the seat back. I also installed a second alarm siren just under the front cowling and pugged into the a/c outlet in the console. no screws, no wires other than A/C plugs. Setting alarm is by the key pad with 45 second delay to exit cabin. 30 second disarm period when re-entering (away mode) or we can put it in instant if we are staying aboard. The alarm sounds at 110 decibles at the control unit and 130 decibles at the remote alarm on bridge. Back up battery on both the control unit and bridge alarm protect even when A/C is disconnected. I am considering taking the 12 volt A/C adaptor off and connecting directly to DC circuit.

Best part cost under $100 and installed in less than a half hour.

[CaptainJR]

I didn't realize the wireless alarm products had become so easy to install, and inexpensive as well. Thanks for the info. I will definately be installing one.