Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by sunnydude on 04/04/16 - 1:02 PM

Hello. New to forum and BW ownership. Just picked up a 13' sport and wondering how/where to mount mount a downrigger base. My son is set on us being able to use as well as eventually adding a pot puller.

Boat has the side rails but nothing else.

Thanks.

Posted by bradsc on 04/04/16 - 6:28 PM

You could put a rod holder vertically on the railing and then have a downrigger base go into the rod holder. Look at my personal page, under the 15 Sport, how I had the rod holders mounted. I would think it would hold a small downrigger and a light ball. If you want something more heavy duty you will have to design/make a bracket. We kingfish some and I had to make a downrigger bracket and mounts. We use Penn swivel mounts and 8# balls. Look at my personal page.

Edit: look at the 3rd and 4th pictures. Those are the downrigger brackets. The down rigger bases go inside the brackets (pipe) and stick up just over the railing. I had a buddy cut out the stainless steel parts on his water jet, TIG welded them to schedule 40 stainless steel pipe, and then powder coated.

Edited by bradsc on 04/04/16 - 6:45 PM

Posted by sunnydude on 04/05/16 - 11:50 AM

bradsc wrote:
You could put a rod holder vertically on the railing and then have a downrigger base go into the rod holder. Look at my personal page, under the 15 Sport, how I had the rod holders mounted. I would think it would hold a small downrigger and a light ball. If you want something more heavy duty you will have to design/make a bracket. We kingfish some and I had to make a downrigger bracket and mounts. We use Penn swivel mounts and 8# balls. Look at my personal page.

Edit: look at the 3rd and 4th pictures. Those are the downrigger brackets. The down rigger bases go inside the brackets (pipe) and stick up just over the railing. I had a buddy cut out the stainless steel parts on his water jet, TIG welded them to schedule 40 stainless steel pipe, and then powder coated.

Ok...thanks. I am wondering if I can mount a Scotty sidemount to the transom: http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/downrigger-mounting-systems/1025-right-angle-side-gunnel-mount.htm knowing that I will only run it to port side due to thickness of transom? The wood diagrams say there is full thickness plywood where the kicker motor would go.

Posted by Simon on 04/06/16 - 6:58 PM

I picked up a 15 foot sport a few months ago that had downriggers installed, although I don't have it now. The previous owner installed a price of wood on the gunwale, so that it is wide enough to install the bracket for the downrigger.

I plan to do the same but use starboard.

Simon