Installing downrigger track

[clawman]

Thought I had this all lined out in my mind but I think I may be overthinking it .
I was going to mount a 24" Cannon track from the back of the rail toward the back. I would have to remove the retractable cleat. Now I am wondering if I should leave the cleat, and remove the rail placing a 36" track there. Not having a rail seems odd. The downrigger would be slightly forward using this system vs the shorter track further back.
I have never used track systems and not even downriggers that much. Does it matter is the downrigger is mid ship or further back?

Thoughts?

 

[dragonfly]

as far as removing the railing you are eliminating your tie points, bumper hanging points, or grab handles at the dock. as far as the downrigger it needs to be where it is easiest to work with and once you find that spot that is where you will always have it so as far as a track I never saw a real use for them. if you have scottys just flip them up if they are in the way loading, and if the rail uses tools you're probably not going to want to adjust then all the time any way and if not solid your downrigger will always be bobbing up and down as the rail twists. just my 2 cents

 

[clawman]

Good points all. Think I am going with the original plan. I can replace the cleat with one that slides into the track.

 

[bdogdt47]

Claw man, I have a new boat and just finished rigging my Scotty 1101s'. My boat is not a large boat . I went to the Sportsman's show and was lucky enough talk to the Scotty's reps there. My boat was a short distance away, so they were able to also look at the boat and recommend a location for the downriggers. I always thought the downriggers had to be at the very back of the boat. The reps pointed out that I should put them as far back as possible BUT in a location where I could reset the downriggers easily without leaning out to far . I also have the weight retrievers for added safety. Bottom line, I decided to find a good fabricator and had two heavy duty marine grade mounts made for a reasonable price. They are rock solid and the mounting location did not impact any fittings on the boat. Best of luck with your project.

 

[Bogey]

Hello, can you explain what the "weight retrievers" are?

Thanks!

 

[clawman]

http://store.cannondownriggers.com/products/324730/Retro-Ease
Basically a little pulley with a cord attached that floats along the downrigger cable to be able to pull the weight to the boat.

 

[bdogdt47]

The weight retriever is sold by Scotty, part number 3025. Consists of three parts. A plastic, round, smooth nut that is mounted on the downrigger cable. The cable slides freely through the nut. A cinching cleat that mounts fairly near the downrigger mount. A cord connects to the nut and allows you to pull the downrigger towards you for re-setting the rigging without having to lean too far outside the boat. To me, it's a necessary safety item. Should work on other brands, I would think. There should be some pictures of how it works on the internet.

 

[clawman]

Lot of companies make them, I even saw on on the Berts and Traxstech websites.

 

[dragonfly]

here's what scottys look like on my cannons using my stick weights and scotty snubers.


and getting installed with new wire

dfly

 

[clawman]

Good Morning 'fly;
Like those weights... as you know.
Looks like you have a section of snubber material or something stronger between the Chamberlain release and the weight? What is that and why?

 

[SuperD]

The snubbers are also sold by Scotty and help take the shock or bounce out of the weight to the cable. If you run Cannons, it functions as a better electric current break for the auto stops.

 

[SuperD]

as far as a track I never saw a real use for them.

Having 4 downriggers has become the standard and many of the guys with 17' boats really need a track system to make that work on a short boat.

 

[Bogey]

Thanks - never knew of such a beast before!!

 

[clawman]

What sealer should I use when installing this track? Cannon says "marine grade silicone". From what I've read and learned that does not do much for holding the track in place just seal holes. Is using 5200 too extreme? I don't see the track ever being removed.

 

[SuperD]

I don't see a reason to seal the track. Swinging a net in the boat with a fish will get more water in the boat than your mount screws.