Downriggers

Anita Marie · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject: Downriggers

I am getting ready to outfit our boat with downriggers and I have a few questions :

1. Penn or Scottys
2. Manual or electric
3. On the Penns can the swivel base be removed like the Scotty
4. Is Penn really not making electric downriggers anymore. (spare part availability)
5. How stable are they when you use the recessed rod holder adapter.

Thanks
Fred

digger · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:15 pm Post subject: Penn downriggers

On Snoopy-C I have Penn electric downriggers. They work excellent. I've used Scotty and Canon electrics, but prefer the Penn. I have the pole holers on the downrigger, and they are plenty stable. I have 4 ft boom, and use a cable clip to pull in the cable when I need to hook the fishing line to the downrigger. I do use Scotty clips however. The swivel base still uses the stationary mount on it, so the downrigger can be removed easily. However, on Snoopy-C I have a bolt through the bracket on the downrigger which can have a lock to hold it inplace. I therefore never remove the downrigger, and feel comfortable with having it on the boat when I'm not around. Parts are easily obtained through Penn website. I still see new Penns around the stores in this area. Ron

digger · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:18 pm Post subject: electric vs. manual

Sorry about forgetting the rest of the question. If you ever use electric downriggers, and you use downriggers very often, you'll never consider using manuals again. However, once again, on the manuals, I think that Canon is ok, but I prefer Penn. I don't really like the horizontal reel of the Scotty.

C-Fisher · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject:

Well I don't want to make your decision difficult but I prefer Scotty's. My last boat I had Penn's they were nice but I like my new Scotty's better. The retreave on the Scoty's is at least twice as fast and some how they made them pull half the drain on the batteries. I also like the clutch handle on the Scotty's, very easy to use to lower the ball down. I think the horizontal spool on the Scotty's operate the same to me as the vertical Penn's but the Scotty's are more compact. Looking down the cable on the vertical Penn's allways made me nervous if the cable was to break it could come back on you. Not only do the swivel bases remove easy but the tilt up gives you lots of options for travel positions. Yes only choose manual if you have no power to opperate. Being able to hit the switch and forget the downrigger when you got a fish on is well worth the price. For the rod holders I just installed a custom rail forward of the splashwell kind of like Da Nag had on his 19 ft. This is where I mount my rod holders. I like this better so I don't have to lean out over the side of the boat to get my pole off the downrigger mount. Which ever way you go Penn or Scotty's you will love them. They really up the chance to catch your fish.

Good Luck
Wayne

C-Bill · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

Recently heard that Penn was going to quit building downriggers. Better check first. I've had them both, and I much prefer Scotty.

My 2 cents,

Bill

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Downriggers

pugetsounder · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:22 am Post subject:

Howdy Fred!
I have had Penn manual downriggers and I really liked them, but I would go fer electrics.
Penn electrics are my favorites for easy operation, but they don't make them any more.
I have Scotty's on Haileigh's comet and am quite happy with them.
The big plus for Scotty is the fact that they use far less current so are not so hard on the batteries.
On Penns, the swivel base stays on the boat. I think there was a pair on Little Buddy when you bought it.
I have the pole holders on the downrigger and they work fine.
I'm not sure what you mean by stable . I'm not worried about them breaking thats for sure. I don't set the drag that tight on my reel.
I just read your post again and realized that you are talking about the mount for the downrigger.
Some of my marina neighbors have them, and they seem to work good.
They do allow for a clutter free gunnel.
You are welcome to come play with our's if you like.
dp

Redƒox · Guest

It took me a few years, but here was my final vote:

I prefer Cannon for reason of the clutch-design: It will allow "slip" (as a "clutch" should)

When my electric Scotty snags-bottom, it will break the cable (if the engine is engaged) The Cannon does not but will; slip-the-clutch because its drive-system is first run through the shaft that drives it's clutch.

It is not much more strain on the batteries than the Scotty is, and it's much quieter.

Another thing I noticed (at least on my down riggers, and there a few years old) is the tapered spool on the Cannon does not snag and tangle it's cable in the spool as much as my Scotty (non-tapered) does!

There are "trade-offs" between them both... it's still a close match.... I say get both! And make sure (if you have the 'mola-$$) go electric!!

Jon - CLou · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:12 pm Post subject:

Hey Fred, do you remember the action we had this September for silvers?
That's probably good enough reason to go with electric. King fishing is even more work, you'd be cranking 2 to 3 times more than silver fishing and with the manual, the chances of losing fish increase, especially fishing alone. It's a bummer losing a nice king on your downrigger wire because the crew couldn't crank it up fast enough. Right Bill? Crying or Very sad

I don't really know what the better brand is, but if you got the money I'd go electric.

Da Nag · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

Anita Marie · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the input from everyone. It looks like I will get one 1106 Scotty. I like the boom extension. I was really interested in the Penn electrics but if they are not going to make them anymore I guess I would be SOL if something went wrong and I needed parts.

Fred

C-Bill · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

Anita Marie,

I must apologize for giving you bad information.

Mighty Bite · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:

I've had both the Penn and Scotty electric downriggers. In my humble opinion the Scotty electric is a clear cut winner. Pros & cons have already been discussed & don't need repeating.

Good luck!

Anita Marie · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:39 pm Post subject:

This is good info because I bought Scotty electrics. I will be using them for the first time Friday.

Thanks
Fred

Mighty Bite · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject: