New 60" Scotty Downriggers

[jtravis2]

I just purchased 2 Scotty Downrigger's with 60" booms. I already have 2 Scotty's with 24" boom's on my 17'.5" Lund Fisherman; I needed 2 more since my Grandson now fishes with my son and I. The 24" Scotty's were already installed when I bought the boat, I will be installing the new Scotty's myself with a lot of help from a friend. My question is will I need to add additional support to the gunwale to handle the longer boom. Lund runs a thick piece of wood under the gunwale for support, will that be enough support or will I need to beef it up?
Thanks in advance for your feed back.
Jim

 

[DLM]

I used a 1 inch board under mine just as it sounds your boat is equipped with. As long as you bolt all the way through and done just use screws it should be fine.

 

[Full_Monte]

I went through this exact problem. Here is the thread I posted that explains what I ended up doing.

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

There is another one with advice from the guys here:

http://kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/showthread.php?t=1440

Note: if you mount your downriggers to the aluminum railing, it will be possible to put a big kink in it if you hang up on the bottom. There's a lot of leverage on those five-foot booms!

 

[jtravis2]

I used a 1 inch board under mine just as it sounds your boat is equipped with. As long as you bolt all the way through and done just use screws it should be fine.

Thanks for your input. What type of boat do you have & if you're running more than 2 DR how far apart do you have them?
Thanks

 

[Full_Monte]

I have two downriggers. Boat info is in my signature.

 

[SuperD]

Jtravis, you may have to remount your existing 2 riggers for best rigging. I would recommend having the 2 - 24" mounted at the transom and just inboard of the gunnels if possible. The front riggers should simply go as far forward as possible. If you have a bench or back seat, just behind that. I've fished on boats that have them almost side by side and I found it very frustrating but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[DLM]

Thanks for your input. What type of boat do you have & if you're running more than 2 DR how far apart do you have them?
Thanks

Alumweld Talon, cut I only run one downrigger on each side. I did have them on the transom at the back but am moving them forward for more room to work with the kicker and other stuff. I have moved one so far and will move the other by spring. When I move them forward I am taking them off the gunwale and onto an aluminum bracket. This is necessary as my boat does not have the wide gunwale's all the way forward, just on the rear.

 

[jtravis2]

Jtravis, you may have to remount your existing 2 riggers for best rigging. I would recommend having the 2 - 24" mounted at the transom and just inboard of the gunnels if possible. The front riggers should simply go as far forward as possible. If you have a bench or back seat, just behind that. I've fished on boats that have them almost side by side and I found it very frustrating but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Great idea, thanks.
Jim