How do you deal with a boat storage compartment that doesn't fit your rods?

[AaronTC05]

I have a Lund 1650 side console with two long storage compartments.  Up until recently I've fished with mainly 6' rods but have recently bought a few 6'6" rods which no longer fit.  The rods I bought don't break down in half either.  What kinds of workarounds do people use in this situation?  I like the idea of having a locking compartment for my rods, but maybe some sort of exterior mounting bracket would work.

I can fit the rods in the compartment by bending them a bit at the end when inserting, but I'm thinking that will weaken the rods over time and risk snapping an end off.

Thoughts? Do I need to buy a bigger boat? 

[Finns]

PVC pipe with foam rubber in caps on each end?  That's what we use to transport rods on fly-in fishing trips. 

[fsnrod]

I have a Lund 1650 side console with two long storage compartments.  Up until recently I've fished with mainly 6' rods but have recently bought a few 6'6" rods which no longer fit.  The rods I bought don't break down in half either.  What kinds of workarounds do people use in this situation?  I like the idea of having a locking compartment for my rods, but maybe some sort of exterior mounting bracket would work.

I can fit the rods in the compartment by bending them a bit at the end when inserting, but I'm thinking that will weaken the rods over time and risk snapping an end off   Remodel  move the end og the storage abit.

Thoughts? Do I need to buy a bigger boat? 

[MattL]

Can you make the compartment bigger in any way?  My Alumacraft Competitor has a center rod locker and I removed the rod tubes to get more and longer rods in it. 

[SkunkedAgain]

My alumacraft only has one rod locker - made to hold 5 rods but I've got 7 in there since I'll double them up. One way to double up rods without tangles is to use a rod sock. For longer rods, I just don't keep them in the locker. I've got a 3-rod holder mounted to the side of my single console. I keep my three main rods there for quick use. I also recently added one of those 8-rod holders that mounts into a boat seat hole. I've never put a seat on the elevated stern seat mount, so I put the 8-rod holder there (immediately in front of the motor).

While all of my rods are 7ft or less and can go into my locker, if I were you I'd just toss the big ones into the back of my truck or lay them flat in the boat during transport. While fishing I'd use the external/vertical holders.