Drilling flush Scotty mounts

I'm planning on drilling a couple flush Scotty mounts on my Outback. I've been thinking alot on where to put them and I think I want them directly above the stock rod holder mounts towards by the mirage drive. I like being able to move my to holder to either side and also eventually using a ram/Scotty adaptor to hold a gopro.
I've looked through the front storage hatch and can see where the rudder cables are so I know to avoid them, however I'm still a little nervous. It's a big stinkin' hole!
Any suggestions or advice before I start to drill tomorrow?
I know the old adage measure twice cut once.. For me this will be measure  8 times, cut once... Slowly.....

I have mine right in front of the rod holders. I angled them a bit to follow the contour to get the best seating. If I recall the cables sort of hugged one side or the other a bit. I remember being really careful when I drilled. Keep the speed low and the pressure light. I used cold sweat to lubricate   I remember being pretty terrified while doing it. I was also very careful to keep the lines away from the bolts and not trap them under the backing plate that I used. I did it partly by feel and partly by sticking my head in the front hatch and looking to see what was going on. I can not remember if I needed a hand mirror to see everything clearly.  Now I am nervous and I will have to re-check my install again tonight.

I zoomed in on the best picture I had to show how I set my rod holder. I think I had to do this to get the mount to sit flush on all 4 bolt holes.

One more thing. Before you screw the mount down make sure you did not twist the rubber cap so that it is facing upside down. It appears that statistically there is a 50% chance of this happening. DAMHIK.

Thanks PDX that pic helps alot. You said you used backing? Is that necessary or precautionary? I was going to use some small washers to distribute the pressure.

Btw I love your Scotty holder arm. What is it? Looks jointed.

This setup paired with a Scotty Power Lock rod holder is by far my favorite Scotty rod holder:



(I'm sponsored by Scotty)

Thanks PDX that pic helps alot. You said you used backing? Is that necessary or precautionary? I was going to use some small washers to distribute the pressure.

I had read that most folks on here use some type of backing plate with washers behind that for this type of install. I ended up using a piece of plastic cutting board that was getting kind of gross with age. I cut it out to be a bit bigger than the base and then put it up inside where I wanted it. I think I had to trim it a bit to get it to fit nicely. I think some folks use aluminum plates, but I will let other folks tell you what they used. In the end washers might be good enough, but it would suck to have some huge fish teach they weren't - as you stare at the gaping hole in your hull where your rod and rod holder used to be

Btw I love your Scotty holder arm. What is it? Looks jointed.

Yes. I started with just an extender but added a second extender and a gear head. The combo lets me place the rods pretty much anywhere in space I want around the mount. I am a bit worried that there may be too much stress on some of the joints. I may end up removing one of the extenders and ending up with what Rawkfish posted, but for now I like the space alien, robot arm looking factor with the extra extender

Coat hanger or electric fence wire with a open loop bent into the end of it can be your friend. 

Start by looking through the hatch and looping the wire around all the cables.  Now slide that loop down the cables to the area you plan to drill.  Pull down on the cables to clear the drill bit and all will be good. 

Coat hanger or electric fence wire with a open loop bent into the end of it can be your friend. 

Start by looking through the hatch and looping the wire around all the cables.  Now slide that loop down the cables to the area you plan to drill.  Pull down on the cables to clear the drill bit and all will be good. 

Good idea.

Are you guys costing the bottom of the flush mount with marine goop or silicone before bolting it down?

Are you guys costing the bottom of the flush mount with marine goop or silicone before bolting it down?

Marine Goop wouldn't hurt.  You don't need a lot though.

Here's a few pics of a recent Scotty flush mount I installed for a Visipole on the aft hatch. It's rock solid! I'll let the pics tell the rest..
jmr

That is awesome Jammer.  That is exactly where I plan to put mine.  I hate drilling into the hull.  Great minds think alike.

Here's a few pics of a recent Scotty flush mount I installed for a Visipole on the aft hatch. It's rock solid! I'll let the pics tell the rest..
jmr

Jammer where did you get that Scotty gasket?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Here's a few pics of a recent Scotty flush mount I installed for a Visipole on the aft hatch. It's rock solid! I'll let the pics tell the rest..
jmr

Jammer where did you get that Scotty gasket?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

I picked up the gasket, the scotty mount and the Visipole at Next Adventure Paddle.