Downriggers

[sawdustsavage]

Yep it's me again.
I'm a pest. I sure appreciate all the great help I have recieved here Now you will get another laugh. I kinda bought a set of downriggers but never gave mounting them a thought.Then I looked at the rails on my pontoon boat and you don't want to know what I said then. Anyway if any of you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate the help.worthy12
John

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

How about posting a picture of what you have to work with. Are you speaking of an inflatable pontoon (kickboat) or of the family variety? The later should be no problem. What kind of downrigger? We need a bit more to go on.

 

[gonefishing]

Smoke Is Right. Post A Picture and Some One Can Help You! Aluminium Is Readily Avaiable And It Wont Take Alot Of Work To Make Something To Fix Your Problem. Also, There Are Lots Of Items You Can Buy To Provide A Surface To Mount Your Down Riggers To That Are Made For Rails Round Flat, Either Way

 

[twisted lines]

On your 18' Smokercraft you may put a large tube mounted on the floor up to whatever height may be comfortable for you; If the railing isn't there to support them101facepalm101

 

[sawdustsavage]

How about posting a picture of what you have to work with. Are you speaking of an inflatable pontoon (kickboat) or of the family variety? The later should be no problem. What kind of downrigger? We need a bit more to go on.

I will attempt to post a pic. It is an 18 ft smokercraft pontoon boat. It has square tube railing. I bought 2 walker electric downriggers. They have 4 ft. poles on them. I was concerned with the torque on the aluminum rail.
Thanks for the help
John

 

[sawdustsavage]

thanks

Smoke Is Right. Post A Picture and Some One Can Help You! Aluminium Is Readily Avaiable And It Wont Take Alot Of Work To Make Something To Fix Your Problem. Also, There Are Lots Of Items You Can Buy To Provide A Surface To Mount Your Down Riggers To That Are Made For Rails Round Flat, Either Way

It has square railing. They are walker electric downriggers, I appreciate your help. If I figure out how a before and after pic will be here.
Thanks again John

 

[Full_Monte]

Without photos, it's hard to reply. You might read this thread and it might give you some ideas:

http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/showthread.php?t=1875

You are correct about being concerned about having a substantial mount for each downrigger. You also should be VERY careful about setting your downrigger drag so that it will pay out line when you hit an obstruction rather than capsizing your boat. It happens!

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Wlaker makes a "Quick Mount Base" that mounts to a standard rod holder similar to Cannon's Gimble Mount. http://www.walkerdownriggers.com/accessories.html

I too am concerned over the torque a 4' boom would create on a square tubular handrail system without sufficient support especially should you snag. You may need to have you own mounts specially made to give you the height and strength you're looking for? It's great to be handy or have a good friend that is. I wouldn't skimp $ on whatever mounting system you select. You may even want to contact Walker Downriggers and/or Smokercraft directly for their recommendations? The companies are usually very helpful since they've probably heard the questions before.
101idea101

 

[sawdustsavage]

Wlaker makes a "Quick Mount Base" that mounts to a standard rod holder similar to Cannon's Gimble Mount. http://www.walkerdownriggers.com/accessories.html

I too am concerned over the torque a 4' boom would create on a square tubular handrail system without sufficient support especially should you snag. You may need to have you own mounts specially made to give you the height and strength you're looking for? It's great to be handy or have a good friend that is. I wouldn't skimp $ on whatever mounting system you select. You may even want to contact Walker Downriggers and/or Smokercraft directly for their recommendations? The companies are usually very helpful since they've probably heard the questions before.
101idea101

Thanks. Good information. I bought a set of the flat V blocks. I plan on mounting a piece of square tubing to the frame of the boat and bolting this to the railing also. I think that will be as rigid as can be done with this boat. I can also adjust height with the tubing. The V block plates will make it very easy to remove the downriggers if need be.
Thanks John

 

[sawdustsavage]

Full_Monte;18617]Without photos, it's hard to reply. You might read this thread and it might give you some ideas:
I messed up. this is too high

Thanks. Good looking mount. The best set up I can figure out is to use
square tubing and bolt it to the floor frame and the rails. If I can figure out how I'll post a pick of the setup when it's done.I can't see anyway on a toon to get it much solider than that. Any suggestions will appreciated. Thats one thing about not knowing anything. Theres alot to learn.
Thanks John
http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/showthread.php?t=1875

You are correct about being concerned about having a substantial mount for each downrigger. You also should be VERY careful about setting your downrigger drag so that it will pay out line when you hit an obstruction rather than capsizing your boat. It happens!

101goodpost101Thanks. These are the things that can save equipment or even lives. I wouldn't have gave it a thought without your advice.
Thank You101chromefish101[/QUOTE]

 

[SilverBullets]

Also, always carry a pair of cable cutters on board within arm's reach for emergencies.

 

[gonefishing]

Silver,

Thanksfor the cable cutter idea. I have never considered the cable cutter. Putting one in the boat today. Couple of times I almost got in serious trouble and never thought about cutting the cable.

 

[sawdustsavage]

cable cutters

Also, always carry a pair of cable cutters on board within arm's reach for emergencies.

101goodpost101
Thanks. Great Idea. I will make sure that is done. You know if I live long enough you guys may get me trained.
Thanks again John

 

[3RivrFishr]

Square rail manual downrigger mount--for what its worth:

 

[SuperD]

Downriggers have clutches for a reason. They are the equipment safety devices. Don't crank them down tight.

 

[sawdustsavage]

sorry about the quote meant to reply

 

[BROWNBAGGER]

3RivrFishr, very nice. I don't think I could have done a better job.

 

[smokin' Kokes]

nice DR mount fab. job for square tubing 3RivrFisher.

ditto on what SilverBullets said about HD wire cutters for DR cable.
if backing up and pulling on the ball reverse direction doesn't free it nor complete slack off and bouncing with the drive, it's cutting time
NEVER cut the DR cable while it is under tension, only when slack.
don't ask me how I know this, stainless steel cable zings through the air cut or broken under tension.

DR clutches save lives, boat sides and transoms and busted DR arms.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

That's the kind of handy work, custom made mounts I'm talking about!

GREAT PICS 3RivrFishr!

101goodpost101

 

[sawdustsavage]

Do you make these to sell? If so let me know the price and how you do it.
John