Downrigger Installation

[lr172]

I am trying to keep my kids interested in going out on the boat and they have a good interest in fishing. I tried hanging a pole off the back with a trolling diver, but it is too much work to hold the pole for them.

I bought a used downrigger and would like to hang it on the outboard motor holder on the stern rail. I can make a bracket. I am a little worried about the weight and wonder if it will hold this. The downrigger has an 8# ball hanging off a 4' lever and I am worried that this could bend the stern rail. I am sure it can handle a lot of downward force, but don't know about the sideways force.

Has anyone done this before? I have a Hunter 34.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[lr172]

I thought about this some more. If people can put seats in the corners of the stern rail with 200 lbs supported, I shouldn't have a problem with a 15 lb downrigger.

I think I will just attach the downrigger to a 2-3' section of 2X6 and lay it across the corner section of the top rail. I'll put a few u-bolts at each end and the weight should be supported just like the seats people install.

My desire is to have something easily removable with no permanent scarring. I don't care if it looks ugly while it is there. Kids will likely get bored with fishing anyways. In the interim, it should be fun to "catch" our lunch.

Can anyone tell me the diameter of the Stern Rail tubing? I assume it is 1".

Thanks for your help. I am on Lake Michigan by the way.

Larry

 

[PilotAlso]

Hi Larry,

I purchased a Scotty's brand rod/reel holder and mounted it on the back rail of our H34. It's removable and has worked great. I was also going to mount a downrigger similar to the removable setup you're talking about. I just haven't had the time.

I can't remember the diameter of the rail, sorry. The mounting hardware for the rod holder came ready for 7/8 and 1" so I just used the one that fit.

FWIW: I caught a few nice Kings out of Milwaukee last fall trolling J-plugs behind Dipsy-Divers. Just remember you'll need a pretty long handled net to bring them aboard.