I’ve got 2 Cannon downriggers installed using 45* tubes. When I’m trolling there is alot of force being applied to the gunwale that is thin sheet metal surprisingly filled with Styrofoam. How does a guy go about reinforcing them?
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And when using them is straight off the back ok or is at an angle off the boat better?
How are the tracks attached to the gunnel ? I know traxtech says to install a backer plate ?
The downrigger goes down the tube circled..tracks are for the rod holders only.
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In a similar application in the past, I added tracks to mount the downriggers to and added a 1/4 inch aluminum backer plate below the gunnel. It’s best to spread the load out across a longer section of track than have it all on one small area like your mount you’ve shown in the picture. The longer the track and back plate the better.
like andy said, I’d use backer plates. I don’t think that rod holder mount is meant for the weight of downriggers, especially if you’re running like a 10 LB ball and 2 rods off each side. does your current setup work? sure, until it doesn’t.
I’d get a specific downrigger mount and get a backer plate to go underneath where you mount it. It’d be an expensive lesson if your rigger gets ripped off one day while the boat is rocking in big waves.
I’m using a flush mount rod holder like this. The bottom of the downrigger has an aluminum adapter for the tube….its just flimsy. I’d like to try larger weights but I’m very limited, honestly haven’t caught a fish using them.
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Here is a closer pic of set up…obviously downrigger is just turned backwards for storage.
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couple observations from those pics…
-that entire setup is being secured by 3 small screws. not bolts. right? so there are basically 3 sheet metal like screws and the only thing holding all that weight is the grip the thin sheet metal has on the screw.
– your rigger mount setup isn’t even sitting flush on the gunwale. of course its going to have some play to it.
I’d say your current setup works but is far from ideal. lots of pressure when that downrigger ball is out and you have a rod or two sitting in the rodholders on the rigger, especially with that long of a boom. Over time those screws holding the mount to the gunwale will wiggle and work more and more play into the setup.
I’d get a flush mount and back plate and use BOLTS, not screws to mount it to the gunwale. You have a very nice sized gunwale for mounting a rigger… do it right and it will be snug.
So this with bolts will help? Can I use the same flush mounts I have?
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