Downriggers

Fishn-Hunter · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:39 am

I am having trouble figuring out the best way to mount 2 downriggers on my boat. One is a cannon mini-mag electric and the other is a cannon easy troll manual, they both have the same mounting plate. The boat is a 96 Princecraft super pro 166. The problem is I cannot get at the underside of the gunnels to bolt them on and just screwing them on is not an option. Aparently princecraft make a raised mounting bracket that rivets to the gunnel but mine are carpeted except for the outer edge. So the brackets for the newer boats will not work on mine. Also they no longer make the bracket for my boat, they only go back as far as 2003. Anyone with any fresh ideas please feel free to respond cause Ive been scratching my head bald on this one cause I want to make sure I do it right the first time so as not to screw up my boat and or riggers. Also want it to look decent and not like a peace of abstract megivered art lol.
If anyone out there has the same boat and has the facotry mounting bracket wow that would be the answer if I could get a patern off it. But please anyone with ideas are MORE than welcome. I will try to get a pic or 2 up later but I am on dial up so I will have to try from somewhere else.

Maverick · **Joined:** Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:32 am **Posts:** 586

Pics posted for fishnhunter:

haybay larry · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:34 pm

Fishhunter,
You might try mounting the downriggers to a board placed across the boat. Then you could use "c" clamps to secure the board to the edge of the boat on both sides. I've seen this done with great results on many boats. The board would need to be wide enough to mount the riggers and stiff enough so it would not flex. Something about 6" wide and 2.5" thick should be about right....Larry

Fishn-Hunter · **Posted:** Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:26 am

HayBay Larry
That is a good idea, I have done that on previous boats but there is simply nothing to clamp too, the gunnel guard does not over hang at all. I have also looked into bolting a plank to the inside of gunnel but again access is limited too none.

Maverick · **Joined:** Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:32 am **Posts:** 586

I think I found a solution for ya. I found these brackets that you can use,

take a look and gimmie a call:

hairybumcrack · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 5:59 pm **Posts:** 61

You may be SOL as you have to get plates for the boat. My 1996 SP 166 came with factory downrigger plates where I installed my cannon bases.

You can make up your own plates as these were screwed into the sides. Nothing special with their factory plates.

Pa Fireman · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:09 am

Mavrick what about using smaller size lag bolts, with inserts. Just pre drill the holes insert the ancors and lag them down. If you will not be removing them, I would cut the carpet to the size of the rigger and add glue to the bottom of it to insure its secured.

walleyedreamer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:28 pm

i used a 2x6 aluminum rectangle plate. just a little shorter then my beam and used to s hooks to hold it from turning and tight. used a springfield post in the center. that's my buddy Kim holding the walleye from last year. adding electric big jon soon and will be at merland park last week of Aug for two week and bringing them along. if you want to see the plate.

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Downriggers

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