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I have a 2003 smokercraft millentia 171, going to mount cannon downriggers on top of the gunwhale using the mounting plates. question is what's the best way to secure the plate to the top of the gunwhale without tearing the boat apart to get under the shelf to nut/washer it from the bottom. theres no way to access the underside of the top shelf. do they make an anchor similar to drywall anchors that i can use or do i just drill a hole onsize with the core of a coarse threaded screw and thread the screw into it. or does the interior of the boat need to be torn out so i can get a nut onto the inside of it???
I know there will be some heavy force pulling on the downriggers using 10lb weights just want to make sure i have no problems.
appreciate any insight
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Bolt them down you will not regret doing it this way. If for some reason you snag bottom and your clutches are not set bye bye downrigger
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I don't know what it would take to use bolts and nuts, but that's the way to go! Like Hydrofish says if they hang up you could lose the downrigger as well as damage the boat.
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[#484848]Have you ever looked at these? I think Ace or Lowes also carries a similar product.[/#484848]
[#484848][/#484848]
[url "http://www.motorguide.com/store/accessory/mounting/mounting-isolators"]http://www.motorguide.com/store/accessory/mounting/mounting-isolators[/url]
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What does the inside of you boat look like? If you have rod lockers, you can mount the down riggers on top of them.
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I have a smoker craft 2004 and have mounted cannon riggers on it. my boat has a small net cover pocket in the rear, not sure if your's does. but that's where I got into the gunnel to bolt mine down. take the little pocket out if your boat has it. I also used a
1\4 thick piece of aluminum bolted under the bottom of the riggers mounts in the gunnel for reinforcement just in case I snag bottom I don't want the rigger to rip the gunnel apart.
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I have a similar but different dilemma - mounting a bow-mount troller to the front of my boat, but I've got rails, and also no access to the inside. I'm thinking about ripping off some rails, or getting on with just reworking the whole bow box, and making a bracket or raised shelf.
Need to take measurements, but first thought is just the through-surface bolts. Just not sure how much torque a 54lb thrust will put on the connections.
Be curious to know what you come up with. Take some pics and walk us through your project. (or take pics and see what cool gizmos folks have tried)
Petty had some nice metal brackets someone made for him - super sturdy.
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got the boat pulled out of storage , going to start the dismantling tonight
Ill be going with the through bolt system for sure now- Be hard to explain losing a downrigger over the side of the boat after i finally talked to wife into buying them! [blush]
ill be after those Kokanee soon - post some pics of the project when i can
- appreciate the replies!!
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bolt them down I can help you I have a side buz that's rigging sonar and gps and downriggers ,trolling plates ecct,,,
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thanks zman, ill let u know if i have any issues
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In case you have this design inside your boat, this is what I did. Pics attached.
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Get rid of the cable on the Down Rigger and put on 130lb Sufix Braid line, it will cut through the water easier and you can go with 6lb balls or you can use 4 lb balls with 80lb Suffix 832 ghost line.
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mission accomplished last night - even had time to replace my trolling motor rope which snapped on me last time out
had to remove some trim pieces and cut some marine board and place it underneath to secure the bolts but all went smoothly - think i just needed encouragement to attack the project the right way.
i had enough room to place them on the top rail
thanks again to all who replied .
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heres what the boat looks like and placement of the riggers
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