Mounting Downriggers

SerengetiGuide

SerengetiGuide

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

Just picked up our Grady in Bellingham today...want to mount downriggers on it asap as to be able to head out before guests start arriving on the 21st and do some exploring (cheaper on gas than Pursuit). Wondering if any of you have ever mounted your own downriggers and if there is any specific place to do it and how you went about it? Really appreciate it,

David

www.serengetifishingcharters.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/canucksfanatic44
 
I just did my grady in the fall - easy to mount yourself but take your time lol. When drilling the holes through the deck i placed the mount, then used a pencil to outline the mount and all the holes, then drilled the first hole, put the mount down and bolted it on with one, and then drilled the rest one at a time with the mount in place and put the bolt through right away - this way you dont drill them all out and find out some are out of line... you dont want to do it twice!
I also put a square piece of cedar on the bottom side of the deck for extra support/spread out the stress. Look under each place you want to mount and make sure you can place bolts through - i had problems with that. (one side was open and great - the other side had a pipe with the engine controsl going through it and held on with foam under the entire thing so i had to drill out a bunch of the foam)
 
I did the same as nedarb2, drill one hole then bolt it down and add the rest. Make sure that your backing plate is solid enough and ensure that you use the biggest washers that will fit with the bolts.

Did you send the picts yet??

Cheers

SS

Fishing08018-1.jpg
 
Use kitchen cutting board for backing plate, the plastic kind, cheap and you can cut/drill it like wood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
freshwaterlagoonnuquicw3.jpg
 
If you're lookin for chaep plastic instead of buying cutting boards if you're in Campbell River can go to CR industrial plastics they have a scrap bin you can scrounge thru and get free stuff. They have all thicknesses and stuff if u want to pay, probs still cheaper to get a piece cut than buy a cutting board.
 
do not forget to seal the holes with sicafex or equivilant. do not want the water getting in there.
 
Don't know where you live David, but Industrial Plastics Nanaimo has cut offs that will do the trick. A buddy had his gunwale torn off when he hung-up; the dealer had mounted the DRs without proper backing.
 
quote:Use kitchen cutting board for backing plate, the plastic kind, cheap and you can cut/drill it like wood.
Click to expand...

Save your cutting boards for fish!!! If you go to the plastic shop in Nanaimo they will sell you little square blocks for putting under your downrigger on top of the deck. They have every type of plastic available, and I always get the highest quality for my mounts from them.

Take only what you need.
 
quote:Originally posted by Charlie



DO NOT </u> wire one downrigger to one battery, and the other to the other battery! You will find yourself with a dead battery and usually at the worst time! :(



DSC01311-1-2.jpg

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Hey charlie any more info on this? I think this is how mine are wired.
 
quote:Use kitchen cutting board for backing plate, the plastic kind, cheap and you can cut/drill it like wood.
Click to expand...
And make sure you choose the OLD cutting board, thereby getting less flack from the first mate. (This is the voice of experience!)
T2

No Rigours
 
quote:Originally posted by Charlie

quote:Originally posted by kelly

quote:Originally posted by Charlie



DO NOT </u> wire one downrigger to one battery, and the other to the other battery! You will find yourself with a dead battery and usually at the worst time! :(



DSC01311-1-2.jpg

Click to expand...


Hey charlie any more info on this? I think this is how mine are wired.
Click to expand...
YEP! Been there... done that!
If that is the way they are wired, you have to run your switch on both to charge both batteries... NOT good! The engine you are running probably doesn't produce enough amperes to charge both! It is best to charge one (1) at a time! If you are running your switch on both... the charging engine can't keep up... and eventually you WILL find yourself, dead in the water!
Click to expand...


So is it best to hook them up to one battery and have the setting on charge one?
 
I think 'Woss' is the local word for really big mosquitos:DAt least they were last time I was there[:o)]
 
Your charging system will charge both batterys on "all", if not you have a defective batt. or charging system. Having said that, your charging system may not have enough amperage to keep up to a prawn puller or similar, therefore it may be necassary to only use one batt during those times. I sometimes put my switch to all when Im running to ensure both batts are charged. Oh yea, I also should say I have 3 batts, one of which is a 4D, and I sometimes parallel all 3.
nootkalasttrip015.jpg
 
quote:Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Your charging system will charge both batterys on "all", if not you have a defective batt. or charging system.
Click to expand...
Nope... you're wrong... depends on the amps you are using! And the amps your engine/engines are putting out! Been there... done that! It is best to select one "battery bank" and run "both" engines charging that bank! ONLY</u>, when you have a large draw! This is also, not recommended from the factory. According to them you should charge #1 battery from #1 engine and your #2 battery from your #2 engine, to prevent possible damage to your batteries from over charging! [:I]

quote: Having said that, your charging system may not have enough amperage to keep up to a prawn puller or similar, therefore it may be necassary to only use one batt during those times.
Click to expand...
Yep, that is correct... see the first paragraph! :D

quote:I sometimes put my switch to all when Im running to ensure both batts are charged.
Click to expand...
It is best to run with one selected... than the other! If you are cruising... you might be able to get away with that, while not having a big draw on your batteries, but if you are trolling and using your downriggers... see paragraph one!
quote:Oh yea, I also should say I have 3 batts, one of which is a 4D, and I sometimes parallel all 3.
Click to expand...
So, do I! I also run a fridge, three downriggers, freezer, 2 gps, 2 sounders, 2 vhf, radar, 2 fuel meters, 3 TV's, Sat radio, and 2 water temp gages... and "BOTH" engines do NOT produce enough amps to charge all</u> my "BATTERY BANKS" with all that running at an idle so, I do have to manage what is on... see the first paragraph! :D

But, don't worry... when you are "dead" in the water, I will be glad to give you a tow in! [:0]
 
I've ran my batteries on "ALL" for 25 years now and have never had a dead battery. You obviously had other issues going on as stated before.

Sounds like if you want to run all that junk you should just beef up your altenator.

Take only what you need.
 
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