"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 06:33:30 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"bobl" wrote in message
.. .
I just bought a new 18' North River Mariner and am considering how to
mount downriggers. The boat has 1-1/4" rails all around and no good
flat spot on the gunwales to fasten a mounting plate. Scotty's is the
only manufacturer I could find that has a downrigger mount for this
size rail that I could find. Anyone have any experience with this
kind of setup or have an additional idea?
thanks,
bob


I have a 21' Jetcraft but it does not have rails all the way around. I
mount on the flat spot on the gunnel where the rail ends.. The ones with
rails I have seen, have a L shaped flat on top plate welded between the
rail
and the gunnel. Do not think I would mount to the rail only. Lots of
torque when the ball gets hung up, or a big jelly fish is caught on the
wire. Would be the same with a lot of weeds.
Bill


I scanned through some of the websites and found what you described...
which may work for this guy. However, I was looking for the adapter
that put a downrigger in a rod mount, which sounds like it might,
also, work for him. (I couldn't find them and wonder if they have
been discontinued.)

As you note, unless the structure mounted *to* is an "L" or channel
shape.... or something of significant structural strength, I see some
large unforeseen tug at the line taking a piece of the vessel
overboard with the downrigger.....

--



Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC.

http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/cavern/
Homepage
http://www.southharbourvillage.com/directions.asp Where
Southport,NC is located.
http://www.southharbourvillage.com/autoupdater.htm Real Time
Pictures at My Marina
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats Rec.boats
at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide


These boats are very structurally sound. Thick aluminum. In his boat the
bottom is probably 0.190 thick and the sides are probably 1/8" thick, with
lots of reinforcement. Made to run white water rivers originally.