Downrigger mounting idea

[Birdnest]

I am going to be mounting a pair of Scotty manuals (30" boom). I will be mounting these on the 360 swivel bases. They will be going on a Hewescraft Searunner with plenty of flat mounting space.

My question concerns a backing plate underneath to help prevent pulling the bolts through in a bad snag situation. At this point I am planning on using plastic cutting board material with large washers. My choice is based on cost, ease of cutting, and water resistence.

Is this material strong enough?

Concerning placement, I realize that the farther back you have them the less likely to tangle a wire in your prop. I also realize that they need to be far enough forward for ease/safe use.

Any hard lessons learned out there? You can start the story..."I had a friend who..." :tongue:

Thanks,

Joe

[Mojo]

I used 2" Fender washers with no plate. I've never had a problem...and I've had 'em out in pretty rough water. How thick is the area you are mounting to?

[Rusty]

Birdnest:

I have an electric Scotty mounted on my 21' Alumaweld. I did not feel the need to use backing plates as the gunnwale material was plenty stong enough to support the application. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a backing plate if you feel you need it.

One thing to look out for when mounting the boom. Be sure to swing in in all directions to be sure it doesn't hit anything, like railing, as it makes its 360 degree swing. Mine did so I repositioned the base and it is fine.

My $.02.

Rusty

[Birdnest]

Thanks for the feedback. The sides of my boat are .125 and the bottom is listed at .190. I am not sure if they used the thicker stuff on the gunnels or not.

[ 01-25-2004, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Birdnest ]

[shalom]

I think a backing plate is a good idea. IV!E HUNG my dowrigger ball up on structure while trying to stay close to the bottem and anchored my boat unexpectedly .Just wanted to pass this along .

[RussT]

I have done that unexpected anchor thing too. I now run a 12" peice of 40# mono between my cable and downrigger ball.
RussT

[Birdnest]

Boater-I will shoot Hewes and email, thanks.

GM-Thanks for the offer, but I do not have rails on the back. Might be out on the 1st, but more likely won't get out until the 3rd(Eagle Bluff-flood, Indian Village-ebb). My boat is black over silver, swing by and say howdy.

Joe

[slabhunter]

I agree with the large fender washers. I've run ledges on Hood Canal and hung four crab pots at 145ft. :shocked: The corner of the boat sat deeper in the water but there was no damage to my Penn 625 or the boat. This was on a nice day and I brought the pots to the shoreline. Anyway, the fender washers work just fine on my 22ft Intruder.

[Mojo]

Dean,
I saw Downrigger bungies on e-bay.

[big foot]

Birdnest, Keep in mind someplace to mount your downrigger ball nest, It's a lot easyer for me to swing my ball and arm to the rear even with a 360 mounting plate. Your idea of the backing plate would work great . Bob

[Spoiled Daddy]

Birdnest,

On my Hewescraft I used a backing plate made of 1" cedar cut to fit the space under the side rails, then used large fender washers too. I soaked the cedar in Thompson's for 24 hours before installing it. It seems to work really well. I have the manual Scotty 30" boom (1085's I think...) with the 360 degree mounts. Mine work fine mounted about 20 inches from the back of the boat. I made my own ball cups and haven't had a problem with them smacking the boat, etc... I haven't tried anchoring the boat with the downrigger yet, but with my luck, I am sure that someday that will happen too!

Good luck. SD

[Green Machine]

I said the wrong rails....I meant the side rails towards the back of the boat. Just thinking of a trial run before you do like I did and have a few extra holes to weld. That's not fair if you get to fish the 3rd!!! :depressed:

Green Machine

[boater]

birdsnest, i think that your boat already has reinforcement from the factory to mount the downriggers to, you should call hewescraft to be sure. for the downriggers weights, you can buy a bungee that hooks between the weight and the cable, it helps alot in eliminating the bounce when you let it down or bring it up and it will break off if it gets hung up on the bottom

[Born to Fish]

Boater, where do you find those bungees?

[Green Machine]

Get them as far back as possible!!! If not, in a tight turn your lines will rub the back of your boat, especially with 30" booms. I made the mistake of mounting the downriggers in front of the rear rails for strength, right to the gunnels. Yes, strong, but way too far forward. Darn!!! 4 holes in the boat!!! So then I went to the downrigger pads that mount to the rear rails. Those work pretty good. I see some manufacturers put them on as standard. I would see if you could get someone to weld the brackets for you. If not, I have some Scotty Rail mounts that you can borrow and try out. (No holes to drill!!!) The boat I have now has a raised deck and rails, with the downrigger pads in the corners. Those seem to work fine. Let me know if you want to try the Scotty's....looks like we are only a few miles apart.

Green Machine

**I think we will fish Pt. Lawrence on the Feb. 1 opener

[Birdnest]

Originally posted by big foot:
Birdnest, Keep in mind someplace to mount your downrigger ball nest, It's a lot easyer for me to swing my ball and arm to the rear even with a 360 mounting plate. Your idea of the backing plate would work great . Bob

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Bigfoot--I am not sure I want to mount the nest. I have a fuel cap on one side right where you would want put one. I will probably just end up taking the balls off each time. How many of you folks swear by the nest??

Joe

[greenbuttskunk]

I agree,
no need for extra material, go with the large fender washers, that should do the trick. A hung ball will still bust off before ripping the rigger off the boat. There are safety options too. Just make sure to not mount too far forward. I like to mount around the line of a splashwell.
good luck,
GBs