Custom Down Riggers for 25CD

Alasgun · Guest

One of the many boat upgrades undertaken this winter was a set of Down riggers. Yea, I know how cheap they are but I'm kind of geeky that way.
Materials include: Nimonic 50 which has elevated strength and corrosion properties over 316 stainless and the price was right in the form of an old pump shaft. All black parts are 6061 T6 Aluminum and have been hard coat anodized.
Delrin and 660 bronze were used for thrust washers and oilite for the main bearing.
Go to my album and look in the upgrades and jewelry sub album if interested.
Notice how well they fit on the side rail and if you wondering, yes everything underneath was reinforced.
The 4 ft arms are easily removed by taking off the one wing nut, this makes for a nicer look when not in use.
Maximum strength, minimum weight, user friendly and last but most important, way cool. Completion time right at 60 hours!
Mike

416rigby · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:

Pretty cool...how does the brake work on those things?

Rick

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject:

Here's a look-see and link to the album: Custom Downriggers

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject:

I like it, sweet and simple, does it have a line counter? Make and price?

Alasgun · Guest

First off I gotta thank Joe for the picture posting help. This makes it easier for folks to view than having to go find this or that. Stay with me buddy there are about 10 more boat jewlery items that were completed this winter that will be making their debu shortly.
The brake is actually a dog clutch, depress the lever and the dog lifts off the cog and the wheel will roll, let go of the lever and the dog is spring loaded so it drops into the next cog and holds until you repeat the sequence.
The line counter relies on my memory as it is 2 ft. around the spool so I hope I can remember how many turns I let out!
Make & Price, I made them, and you can't afford them! Not trying to be ornery here but at 60 hours for the pair, times shop rate they would be over $1500 EACH. To me the price would be irrelevant as I fully enjoy building these one of a kind, unique items for the boat. I guarantee there are no downriggers out there with .0005 tolerances nor the attention to simplicity as these.
Mike

Dora~Jean · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:15 am Post subject:

Sorry, I missed that they were custom made, I'm not very good at 'reading between the lines'. Wink

Well done, nice work, there's a second career there for the taking for ya! Thanks.