14 Footer with Downriggers?

[Jacobus97]

Just wondering if anybody has ever put downriggers on a 14 foot aluminum boat? I ask because I have an old 14 foot aluminum boat that I want to turn into an all around fishing boat. I understand that it is only 14 feet so you are limited to what you can do, but I still would not mind trying. Any suggestions on other mods I can make too would be welcome?

 

[kaministiquia]

Just wondering if anybody has ever put downriggers on a 14 foot aluminum boat? I ask because I have an old 14 foot aluminum boat that I want to turn into an all around fishing boat. I understand that it is only 14 feet so you are limited to what you can do, but I still would not mind trying. Any suggestions on other mods I can make too would be welcome?

We have hand crank scotty down riggers on our 14ft aluminum it is more than enough boat to handle small inland Lake Trout lakes try to find them with as big a spool as you can find the smaller the diameter the more cranking.
You will also need rod holders and a fish finder so that you can locate fish set up your depth and not lose balls this is a real pain. If you locate enough Lake Trout in one place you can use a marker bouy drift/anchor and jig for them with 11/2 oz to 2 oz buck tail jigs dropping them to the bottom and reeling them up to the surface as fast as you can, jigging just off the bottom etc...

 

[Jacobus97]

We have hand crank scotty down riggers on our 14ft aluminum it is more than enough boat to handle small inland Lake Trout lakes try to find them with as big a spool as you can find the smaller the diameter the more cranking.
You will also need rod holders and a fish finder so that you can locate fish set up your depth and not lose balls this is a real pain. If you locate enough Lake Trout in one place you can use a marker bouy drift/anchor and jig for them with 11/2 oz to 2 oz buck tail jigs dropping them to the bottom and reeling them up to the surface as fast as you can, jigging just off the bottom etc...

Thank you for the information it helps a lot.

 

[kaministiquia]

Thank you for the information it helps a lot.

You are very welcome...You will need to produce Z-platforms where you can install your Down Rigger mounting brackets measure them so that you know how big to make the platform.
Top platform: 10-12 inches long X 6-8 inches wide brake @ 90degrees and produce a tail of 6-8inches self tapping screw to gunwhale.
Bottom: Width same as top leave 4-5inches length to screw to seat....over lap the two halves, clamp drill and bolt together....cut any excess material off prior to connecting the two halves.
Using this method you should be able to produce a brackett for a dow rigger mount on any boat.... See some Tin Bashers ( sheetmetal shop) for some aluminum scraps in which to brake your 90s after you pick up a set of down riggers and have your measurements.
To help visualize this think of a Z cut in half both top and bottom can be slid up or down to adjust for height and the offset angle of the gunwhale if you run out just shear off a strip of aluminum which will act as a backing plate to gain more height.
Once your platforms are installed just drill/countersink and bolt down your quick release mounts, install down riggers, mount rod holders, set up and test your set up to make sure that everthing works ok prior to fishing!