myth???

[danzilla]

I had a question about downriggers. I've heard from a couple different sources that a downrigger ball getting hung-up on the bottom can capsize a boat.

I've never heard of this happening and have a diffacult time believing it. but I've been proved wrong before.

DZ
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[Kent]

It could easily happen if one was caught in a windstorm and the ball was hung up. It is the reason that I carry a wire cutter on my boat.
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[Matador]

It depends on the size of the boat and where on the boat the rig is mounted. On a big boat you are more likely to have the fiberglass crack and break where it is mounted to the boat. But it sure can be a problem regardless.

m
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[Gumbo]

I've hung up a few too many times and sinking was never a concern. Downriggers have a drag like your fishing reel that will release cable when you hang up. I just put the motor in idle, bring in the rods, and do a 180 which has always worked for freeing the hung ball.

[Kent]

I have also had my downrigger hang up several times, and it wasn't a big deal, because the drag released out additional cable. The only time that you would likely have a problem is if you were in a severe windstorm and got hung up. In that situation it is possible that you would reach the end of your cable, before becoming unsnagged, and that could be dangerous.
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[kokeking]

I have hung up my downrigger weight many times,have never even come close to sinking.If the drag is set right this is usually not a problem.On one of my old hand cranks i got it hung up so bad the it bent the boom,this is how i learned about setting the drag the right way.I have heard the story of a boat sinking on the gorge from this,dont know if its true or not.The one thing i did like about the hand crank over the electric,was the you could crank up the weight a lot faster.Experince is a great teacher.
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[MRJ]

Most people mount their downriggers on the stern like I do. Some however run them over the side which does not present a problem, unless you are in a very small boat. The leverage the ball and cable has with a stern mount will not capsize a boat. The leverage that could occur with the downrigger amidships in a small boat could pull it right over in the right situation.
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