How to mount big-boat downriggers on a small boat

I asked some questions about this awhile back and thought I'd show you what I ended up doing to put two 1106 Scotty downriggers with 5 ft booms on my 15 foot boat.

Shows completed installation with wiring into receptacle under seat. Wires go back to battery underneath the floorboards.


Shows aluminum support brackets under seat


Brackets are bolted to seat bulkhead


Wood plate serves as retainer for tee-nuts to attach aluminum pedestal. Aluminum pedestal raises the boom to clear the gunwhale.

A few more photos

Screws keep the tee-nuts from vibrating loose during assembly of the unit to the seat.


A little surgery on the seat flotation to make room for brackets and wiring


Downrigger installed and fishing has begun!


I made the aluminum pedestals from pieces bought at a metal scrapyard. A friend welded the plates top and bottom. The whole idea was to make a downrigger mount that was secure and functional. It has worked well so far. One might think the mounting supports are over-kill, but the first time I lowered my 10-pound weight quickly and put on the brake, it confirmed that a solid mounting was required. I think you might be able to use a seat pedestal available at a boat shop or Walmart if it's tall enough. Note that vibration seems to loosen the bolts fastening the pedestals to the seat. It might be smart to put some permatex or thread locker on the bolts to keep this from happening.

Warning: for those of you who are thinking of putting a downrigger on a small aluminum boat, especially a 'rigger with a long boom, you need to set your clutch/drag on the downrigger so that it easily unwinds more wire when you snag the bottom of the lake with your weight. A downrigger with a tightly adjusted clutch COULD capsize your boat before you can react to the situation. This wisdom came from the guys right here on this forum. Note also that some downrigger models are not recommended for small boats...I guess for this reason.

Late edit: I ran into a deal on security locks for my riggers, so installed them and then noticed that my attachment bolts to the seats could be easily unscrewed by thiefs. I installed some "security bolts" from McMaster Carr to add a bit of security.

Well Done Monte!

I guess you'll be hosting you own Boat Improvement Show in the near future. I'm glad you took the time and did it right - Looks Great!

Great job Monte...very well planned out. Thanks for sharing! thumbsup

Very Nice job Monty!! Looks like yhou'll be putting those riggers to good use!!

thumbsup.....Kokonuts

very nicethumbsup

Thanks, Guys...you all helped me with the thinking. I hope you can get something out of it...I appreciate your answering all my questions.

Another great project from Monte. Good stuff. I edited your messages to bump the photo size so we can all see the work better. Hope you don't mind.

Kevin

Hi Kevin!
Thanks for the help on the photo size. I couldn't figure out what I had done incorrectly to get the photos so small. I thought it had to do with putting multiple photos in the post. Thanks again!

Sweet upgrade. thumbsup

I really like the bench plug in receptacles.

Nice work.

Sweet job...

That is a great modification, you are very handy... I myself am not allowed to own tools, especially power tools. Great job and the pictorial was perfect. Thanks...
I have a 15 foot SmokerCraft and had the same problem with placing a downrigger in a spot that was easy to access but still usable. I (see first statement) bought a piece of 2X4 aluminum channel stock wide enough to fit from one oar lock to the other and then had a friend drill two holes, one on each end. Then simply placed a couple of s/s bolts (the same diameter as the oar locks) tightened the two bolts down; then mounted my downrigger on that bar, I gained two things from this installation; first my downrigger is amid ships - second it tied my boat together and made it much more stable. I did add marine carpet to the bar and stuffed it with recycled Styrofoam, the carpet keeps the bar at a nice temp and the Styrofoam kept the whole thing quite. Once the thing was installed I added a rod holder and ball buddy. Not very high tech but when your not allowed tools one much adapt...


Chuck

I can't see

Really; I'm not from Missouri, but photos are a real kick start to my imagination. Come on Chuck get the ole camera out and help me out.

Very nice and well thought out , Monte.

Nice job will done Montethumbsup