Recommendations on a leaning post width?

[Sprunx]

Hey guys I am in the process of completing a new custom console for my 20’ and I’m having a leaning post made. The console is skinny at only about 26” wide but will have 3” rod holder pods on each side making the total width 32” I know I’m splitting hairs here but I can’t decide whether to go with a 30” or 32” wide leaning post. I’m concerned that the 32 is too wide for a console that is 26” at the top yet I’m afraid 30” is getting small for seating. Any opinions out there? What do you have on your seacraft? Post em up!

[bumpdraft]

For what it's worth, a friend of mine bought a fancy (and expensive) leaning post with rod holders for his 25 Mako. The rod holders were welded on in a 'fanned out' orientation . The outside holders turned out to be useless and we never had rods in them because it was too difficult to get around them.

[Sprunx]

Originally Posted by bumpdraft

For what it's worth, a friend of mine bought a fancy (and expensive) leaning post with rod holders for his 25 Mako. The rod holders were welded on in a 'fanned out' orientation . The outside holders turned out to be useless and we never had rods in them because it was too difficult to get around them.

I can see that being an issue. I’ve seen that before and it looks nice and practical but I never thought about walking under the rods when they are leaned out like that. Good point.

[Xcomunic8d]

I have a dual console with a fighting chair so not much help on the leaning post for you.

But I face these challenges in my woodworking often. I’d suggest making a cardboard template. Start with a 36” wide x whatever (24”?) piece or whatever. Put markings on it for 32, 30” etc lay it out and try to visualize it. Maybe take a rod out and see what kind of clearance you would have at approx. 30” or whatever height you’re ordering.

Sorry couldn’t be more help. But this is what I do when I get asked to build something and have no direction on dimensions.

[DonV]

"For what it's worth, a friend of mine bought a fancy (and expensive) leaning post with rod holders for his 25 Mako. The rod holders were welded on in a 'fanned out' orientation . The outside holders turned out to be useless and we never had rods in them because it was too difficult to get around them"

How true Ron, I had them like that and they were useless and always in the way. I pulled the rod holders out and made the area a storage tray for fishing stuff. Then I figured why not put them in the front gunnels, that's now where they are at. That being said, they were 30 degree, maybe 15 degrees would have worked better on the leaning post but you have clearance issues with the T-top.

[Capt Terry]

In the mid 80s I managed the team for the external hardware for the F119 engine for the F22 Raptor. We also built a full size engine mockup for a USAF review. Since then I build mockups when necessary, for instance to ascertain if I could shoe-horn a PerfectPass speed control servo under ny ETEC cover for more closely controlled watersports speeds. It worked and my wife likes the speed control as much as I do.