Downriggers-build VS Buy

B.L.smooth · 03-18-2010, 01:11 PM

After a few trips last year for kokanee with very limited success, I've come to the conclusion that my boat needs downriggers! Needless to say, i was pretty surprised at the cost of buying them new, and was wondering if anyone has ever built downriggers. Any thoughts/suggestions? Has anyone tried the DIY method ?

twisted lines · 03-18-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.L.smooth

After a few trips last year for kokanee with very limited success, I've come to the conclusion that my boat needs downriggers! Needless to say, i was pretty surprised at the cost of buying them new, and was wondering if anyone has ever built downriggers. Any thoughts/suggestions? Has anyone tried the DIY method ?

I have not tried Downriggers but just finished this and would not do it again. I have days in this and only purchased the bolts and line and have no Idea if it will work! TL

Snapset · 03-18-2010, 07:36 PM

I made one. Put a lot more time into it than I really wanted. Doesn't work as well as I would like either. Some things that are particularly challenging:

1.) Finding a pulley that won't let the cable slip between the sheave and frame.
2.) Making a brake that is quick and easy to engage after you spend 2 minutes letting the weight down while you are trolling in to the wind
3.) You need an accurate line counter
4.) A way to mount the downrigger to the boat that doesn't scar the boat and is easy to detach.

All these are achievable if you are handy. I eventually got my homemade downrigger right, and I used it for quite a few years, but I will buy a scotty before this summer.

SilverBullets · 03-18-2010, 07:39 PM

You could always cut down a stout salmon rod to the first eye, put some heavy line on a big level wind (with a line counter), and attach a weight. I think you'll find though that a downrigger will work out alot better, especially since your going to want a 6-8 pound weight for less blow back while trolling at depth.

Rick on Rogue · 03-19-2010, 04:32 AM

In the photo, the device is used for side planers, I don't think it was designed for downriggers. There is a huge difference in the two.

skeetshtr · 03-19-2010, 05:49 AM

I just put a pair of Scotty 1060 downriggers on my 14ft Klamath. I came out a under $200.00 each ready to fish , mounted with 8lb weight and quailty stackable releases for each.They seem to work great. I doubt you could build anything better for much less without investing a bunch of time.

Klamanite · 03-19-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeetshtr

I just put a pair of Scotty 1060 downriggers on my 14ft Klamath. I came out a under $200.00 each ready to fish , mounted with 8lb weight and quailty stackable releases for each.They seem to work great. I doubt you could build anything better for much less without investing a bunch of time.

I started with a pair of Scotty handcranks I got off of e-bay. I only paid $130.00 and they came with an 8 and 10 lb weight

There's deals out there if you look hard enough.

SilverBullets · 03-19-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeetshtr

I just put a pair of Scotty 1060 downriggers on my 14ft Klamath. I came out a under $200.00 each ready to fish , mounted with 8lb weight and quailty stackable releases for each.They seem to work great. I doubt you could build anything better for much less without investing a bunch of time.

I've had the same (Scotty 1060's & 8lb weights) on the 15' Smoker Craft for the last 7 or so years...never had one problem. I mounted them on swivel pedestal mounts...easy to get out of the way when jigging.

Bigkntry · 03-19-2010, 07:55 AM

Buy vs Build............I would definitely recommend buy as I believe the engineering going into factory units is superior along with the warranties.
I too started off with Scotty hand cranks and upgraded to the electric a few years after that. I have zero complaints with my scotty units and lifetime warranty..........and the electric are the best ! !....Once you hook a fish ......hit the auto retrieve button and they are out of the way to fight the big one.

Good luck in your decision...and as Klamanite said there are some great buys out there..........you just have to look

Klamanite · 03-19-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigkntry

Buy vs Build............I would definitely recommend buy as I believe the engineering going into factory units is superior along with the warranties.
I too started off with Scotty hand cranks and upgraded to the electric a few years after that. I have zero complaints with my scotty units and lifetime warranty..........and the electric are the best ! !....Once you hook a fish ......hit the auto retrieve button and they are out of the way to fight the big one.

Good luck in your decision...and as Klamanite said there are some great buys out there..........you just have to look

I built a planer board mast recently and I'm not completely confident in my pulley selection, I'll find out this weekend. If you search "planer board reels" on e-bay you'll see what I bought. They seem to be of good quality and SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper than the commercially marketed ones. I'll post some pics once I get it all finished and installed. For downriggers, I also upgraded to Scotty electrics and would never go back

Cannon · 03-19-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.L.smooth

After a few trips last year for kokanee with very limited success, I've come to the conclusion that my boat needs downriggers! Needless to say, i was pretty surprised at the cost of buying them new, and was wondering if anyone has ever built downriggers. Any thoughts/suggestions? Has anyone tried the DIY method ?

I bought my first set on Ebay. $175 for both in brand new condition with weights.

grumman16 · 03-19-2010, 10:16 AM

If you are trying to keep cost down look at CL. CL in seattle has them up for sale more often. I've bought both of my scotty manuals off of CL.

Klamanite · 03-19-2010, 12:49 PM

Here's a couple that just showed up, pretty inexpensive.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...57#post3036357

B.L.smooth · 03-19-2010, 01:31 PM

thanks for all the input guys. I figured (correctly

) that if it was something easily built and the DIY ones worked well then you'd know, and I think my only decision at this point is how to convince the wife that I NEED to spend the $$ to put them on the boat.......

Maybe I gotta convince her she NEEDS some new jewelry

Is the upgrade to electric worth the extra $$ ??

Sgt.Slaughter · 03-19-2010, 02:00 PM

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=297184

this guy just posted some for sale for $50

Pwillie · 03-19-2010, 02:53 PM

I have just ordered my 2nd electric downrigger and as soon as it comes in I am replacing my Cannon uni troll downrigger (manual version) and I will sell to you $50. send me a pm and we can work it out....

SilverBullets · 03-19-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.L.smooth

thanks for all the input guys. I figured (correctly

) that if it was something easily built and the DIY ones worked well then you'd know, and I think my only decision at this point is how to convince the wife that I NEED to spend the $$ to put them on the boat.......

Maybe I gotta convince her she NEEDS some new jewelry

Is the upgrade to electric worth the extra $$ ??

In my opinion manuals vs electric all depends on what type of boat you have, what type of fish your targeting, what waters you'll be useing them on, and how much your willing to spend. For a small boat (12-15') that's mainly used for trout and kokanee, manuals should be fine for for lakes where your target depth is around the 40-60' level. Spend the extra money for one that has the high speed two feet per turn spool.

the flyman · 03-21-2010, 08:29 PM

Hey, you can get by with manuals but electric is the way to go, I have a Scotty, and it hasn't let me downrigger yet. Kokes or Salmon it's great. Buy it don't build it! You won't be disappointed. fish on!

Doc_Rhen · 03-22-2010, 10:14 AM

As far as Manual vs Electric, I have effectively used the manuals for a couple years and it gave me the opportunity to figure out that DR's are one of the best investments I have made for fishing, but in a "hot bite" the manual can be a pain to manage so I just recently mounted a pair of Cannon Digi-trolls and with just a couple trips out with them I am definitely sold on electric being the way to go for me.

Cannon · 03-22-2010, 10:31 AM

deeptrout · 03-22-2010, 10:39 AM

I built my own, and they work fine. After using some different models on friends boats, and practically taking one down to the nuts and bolts at the sportsman show, I designed a pair and they have been working fine for around ten years now. Improvements I made over current designs include: larger spool for quicker retreives, spectra line for less drag in the water, storage for weights built into the frame, 100% accurate depth indicators, and I made one left and one right hand crank.
But....I am a toolmaker with access to the lathes,mills,and welding equipment I needed and I still probably have a hundred bucks or more invested in materials and my own time paying myself minimum wage.

One thing I will pass along as a lesson learned: save the money on braided stainless line and line counters that don't work. Use Spectra line bought at a kite shop as kite line (it's all the same if it is sold as Spectra) and buy some numbered beeds at a beed shop. I tied knots and set beeds every ten feet, and they are easy enough to see as they go out that getting to a certain depth is easy and certain. I did have to try several craft stores before I found the beeds with numbers on them, I would advise going to the biggest beed shop you can find first and saving yourself some hassle. Those beed ladies are a rough crowd.

jasonbartosz · 03-26-2010, 02:24 PM

Careful when purchasing down-riggers off of CL. Allot of people say that they come with bases, but that does not mean swivel bases. The bases are about half the cost of the whole deal sometimes.