795 Downrigger Setup

[Capt’n Ron]

I’ve had a number of folks ask me about my downrigger setup, so I thought I would start a thread to see what others are doing. 

My Setup: 

• My Goal - Make it functional and make my wife happy it doesn’t stick out like it was only a fishing boat!
• Option 1 - the dealer suggested using a Gimbal mount for the downrigger. They installed additional rod holders and I gave it a go. Lesson learned, DON’T do THIS!  The first time I hit the retrieve button it practically pulled the rode holder out of the boat, cracking the fiberglass. The dealer did repair the crack. 
• Option 2, doing it the right way. 😊.  Installed Scotty side mounts. Here are some photos. 

[howesounder]

Jul 27, 2018 1:46:47 GMT Capt’n Ron said:

I’ve had a number of folks ask me about my downrigger setup, so I thought I would start a thread to see what others are doing. 

My Setup: 

• My Goal - Make it functional and make my wife happy it doesn’t stick out like it was only a fishing boat!
• Option 1 - the dealer suggested using a Gimbal mount for the downrigger. They installed additional rod holders and I gave it a go. Lesson learned, DON’T do THIS!  The first time I hit the retrieve button it practically pulled the rode holder out of the boat, cracking the fiberglass. The dealer did repair the crack. 
• Option 2, doing it the right way. 😊.  Installed Scotty side mounts. Here are some photos. 

[howesounder]

Hi Cap'n Ron!

Let me introduce myself as I've just joined this forum. Purchased my MF795 a few weeks ago, and am thrilled to be part of this community! It's the first boat I've bought. Thanks to the many posts you've contributed - I read lots of them already before and after buying my boat. They were super helpful.

I wanted to ask a bit about your downrigger mount. Is the mount still strong enough? Did you use the No. 1037 Mounting Plate in addition to the No. 1025 Right Angle Side Gunnel Mount? Or did you only use the No. 1025 Right Angle Side Gunnel Mount? When I look at the Scotty website, the photo seems to suggest the 1025 comes with the 1037, but it doesn't say this.

Thanks again!

[Capt’n Ron]

Hi Howesounder, congrats on your 795 purchase. You will really enjoy getting to know your boat.

This setup has worked extremely well and I also use it for my Scotty crab pot puller as well.

The 1025 right angle side gunnel mount does included the 1037 mounting plate. I then attached the 1026 Pedestal swivel mount to the top plate.  A couple of tips for installing.

• Measure, measure, and re-measure before you drill holes.  I made sure the right angle top plate rested on the top side of the gunnel. I also glued a thin rubber pad to the bottom of the top mount plate so that the mount plate plastic didn't rub and scratch the fiberglass rail.  
• I bought an 1/16" aluminum plate at Home Depot and cut it to the size of the 1037 plate and drilled holes to match up with the mounting plate holes to use as a backing plate.  I did this to firm up the fiberglass gunnel wall.  I'm not sure it had to be done, but I feel better doing it.  
• When installing the mounting plate I accessed the inside of the gunnel through the vent to the right (on the Port side of the boat) of the downrigger electrical plug.  This allowed me to get my arm far enough to use a wrench to tighten the mounting nuts. It was tough to hold the nuts so I actually adhered all 4 nuts to the aluminum plate over the holes with some caulking adhesive which made things much easier as I only had to hold the backing plate.    
• When drilling holes in fiberglass for the mount I used a process a buddy of mine showed me which was to drill in reverse (same thing if cutting a larger hole with a hole cutter).  It takes a bit more time but you get much cleaner holes because the bit doesn't' grab on the fiberglass.

Once you get everything setup the only thing you need to watch for if you have a kicker is getting your downrigger and fishing line caught up in the kicker prop on those starboard turns.   I've only done that once over the last 3 years when I wasn't paying attention.

I hope this helps and good luck and happy fishing!

Cheers,

Capt'n Ron

[howesounder]

Wow, those are extremely helpful insights. Many thanks Cap'n Ron! I'll do just that!

Except for watching out for getting a line caught in the kicker, as I don't have one