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Random Quote: Any Boat can be a Minesweeper--ONCE !
I have a Grady 360. Cockpit is 96 sq ft and I mostly use it for offshore fishing. Would you guys recommenr a 4 rod launcher with as a fighting station or a small chair like the FFC130 in this page:
I assume your Grady is twin/triple outboard which makes using a chair is almost impossible for large fish (300+ lbs) that tend to go deep as the rod tip will not clear the motors; and for smaller fish (less than 300 lbs) stand-up is just a better choice. I would go with the rocket launcher.
I would say the same. In addition to the technical aspect of it, spacewise, the chair is going to eat up some space on you... My cockpit is 140 sq. ft. and with the chair, the transom can get crowded pretty quick.... I would opt for keeping your deck open if I were you... A good stand up harness is going to perform better than the fighting rocket launcher will.... IMHO.
Ryan
__________________
Lets have a Sexy Party! 38 Henriques FB 2000 ~ 17 Montauk 1978
I have a Release Marine Chair and a Rocket Launcher. The Chair spends most of the year in my garage. I love the rocket launcher. It's very handy and practical.
What do you target mostly? I would only get a chair if you are fishing for giant tuna and large marlin,otherwise I would opt for a rocket launcher.
Do you need this for your spread or mostly like the idea and look of having it,which I do as well?
That boat has several rod holders on the tower legs does'nt it?
My friend is going through the same debate now on his Viking,but he only has 4 gunnel mounted rod holders and really needs something to add more fishable rods.
Rocket launcher is the way to go on smaller boats. If you need to handle the occasional giant bluefin or marlin on very heavy tackle, mount some vertical swivel base rodholders in the gunwales and use bent butt rods to fight the fish. I have three gunwal rod holders on each side and two in the transom but I still find the rocket launcher to be a great asset in managing the spread.
I target anything I can find. I run a spread of 8 rods, some 80's some 50's. The rod holders on tower legs are pretty high and they are very uncomfortable to put rods in and out of. may be only the lower holders. The boat has 2 rod holders on each gunnel and none on the transom. I really need 4 more rod holders for my shotguns and the long corners. The chair would be real nice for trips with the family or getting back to the inlet. It is the prime seat in the house. I asked John from Nautical Designs about clearing the gunnels and the engines and he recommends a 24" base for the chair and a reversible gimbal. He said it should not be a problem. And his foldable chair from the link above does not use much more space than a rocket launcher but it seems that in reality we are mostly standup trying to bring the fish in on the side of the boat. Usable floorspace on the cockpit is 6ft x10.5 ft/ It seems tight to put any chair there regardless.
More opinions? I have seen bunch of Carolina Classics down to 28 ft boats with chairs...
I decided to use a triple kite rod holder for more rod space and not get either one for now, even though the rocoket launcher sounds like the right choice! thanks for all of the i nput...
__________________ "Off the Hook"
Grady White 360
Triple Yamaha 250
Pirate's Cove, Manteo, NC
I have a Scopinich Battle Station, which the top removes and i add the rocket launcher...
ANother idea for you....
Capt Rich / 32 Stuart Angler / "Run Off"
it is an older battle staion, which mounts on a standard HD adustable pedestal. The top section lifts off, and slip on the launcher. I will try to send pics.
Rich
I would say add more gunnel mounted rod holders. We are fishing a 37' Topaz with a huge Cockpit. No chair, no rocket launcher. We have 2 on each side and 3 across the back. Totally clean cockpit and tons of room to move.
Unless you are fighing bluefins and tournament sized marlin, standup is the only way to go. We removed the chair the first day we had the boat.
Fighting Chair or Fighting Rocket Launcher 
