Downriggers mounts

C

cislander

New member
Getting ready to mount some new downriggers on my 19 Angler Dory.
How do you guys mount them, since there is no way to get at the underside of the gunnels?
I was considering epoxy and stainless self tapping screws??
They have to be super sturdy, in that I plan to use the Scotty 1106 on the boat, Penn Electrics are next to impossible to find these days.
 
cislander":30bgc1ds said:
How do you guys mount them, since there is no way to get at the underside of the gunnels?
Click to expand...

Oh, but there is...and it's a great upgrade.

Install Tempress Tackle Hatches.

You'll get great storage, and access underneath the downriggers to install proper backing plates.

Yes...you lose a minimal amount of flotation. A non-issue to me, but it may be to others.

From my old 19:

aah_7.preview.jpg
 
Bill: Thank you for the info. this really is the answer to the problem of getting to it.
I am taking her out of the water today and rigging her for the San Juans etc.
Is there anything a guy can't find out on here?? :smiled
 
One tip on the base install - angle your holes slightly inwards towards the middle of the gunnels.

There's just enough room with Scotty bases to drill straight down, if you center it correctly - but if you angle it in a bit, you avoid any possible mishaps. And, a slight angling of the holes provides plenty of clearance from the edges underneath for large fender washers.

And, as you can see from the pic - take advantage of the hole, to route your downrigger plug wires inside the gunnel for a nice, clean install. Socket facing down - keeps the water out.

Good luck!
 
That is great idea. nice use of the space. Hey about the backing plate, use one . use the biggest one you can get in there. Wood will work , but aluminum or stainless is best. or even cutting board material. You just want to spread out the load on the mounts as much as possible. make the backing plate as wide as the gunnel and at least as twice as long as the mount.

When I read that you where going to use screws and apoxy I had to laugh. father of a freind did that and the first time he hung up on bottom he ripped it out and it went in. If I every loose a rigger it will have to take a good bit of rail with it.
 
For what its worth:
After careful looking and consideration, I decided to mount the Downrigger plate just forward of the battery hatchcover. There is just enough room if you place it between the gas fill cap and the inside edge of the side gunnell. You should try to find 1/4-20 by 2 1/2" stainless bolts to make sure you have enough depth. I barely made it with 2" bolts.
The top of the hull is very thick in this location, so can't understand why someone else didn't have this spot for the solution.
Thanks for the help though, it got me thinking before I started drilling.
I have the collapsable rear bench so the Tackle Box application wouldn't have worked well for my boat.
 
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