Hardware for my boat? downrigger and trolling motor.

[MaxumCory]

Hey all. If I can figure out how to attach a pic, here's my boat and I'm trying to get some suggestions the type of hardware I should look into putting on it to get some good fishing out of it. I know it's not ideal for fishing but I'm sure I can make something work. I've been looking into downriggers and trolling motors. There's a thick plastic platform on the port side of the motor thats supposed to be for an alternate motor. I would appreciate some recommendations on brand names or even models. Right now I'm leaning toward salmon fishing in the sound. Thanks!

[Matt]

Welcome to Washingtonlakes.com Cory!

You are going to need a trolling motor for sure, I would recommend at least an 8hp for a boat of that size/weight. If you have the money I would go four stroke as opposed to 2 stroke, they are much quieter and run nice and smooth. I would shop around on craigslist for a Yamaha T9.9 High thrust 4 stroke. You can find them for between 1000-2500$ depending upon the features you want with it. In my opinion they are the best kicker motor currently on the market.

Here is a link to exactly what you want:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2178806687.html

Once you have the kicker on there, you are going to want an auxilary steering control arm. E-Z Steer makes the nicest product around, and you should also look for this on craigslist to save yourself a ton of cash. They retail for around 400$, but you can pick up the whole kit (2 brackets, and the control bar itself) for 50-150$ on craigslist, they come up on there pretty frequently so keep your eyes peeled.

This is what you want:


For downriggers, I would say go for scotty's. They are currently the most reputable and well built downriggers on the market. I would go for no shorter than a 30" Boom on that boat, and the Strongarm 30 series would be ideal, they are great riggers, again craigslist will save you money. The downriggers don't HAVE to be scotty, so just look for a pair on CL for a reasonable price, look to spend between 150-300$ on 2 nice manual downriggers with at least 24" booms and preferable 1" nice thick booms. Also, you're going to want heavy lead balls, 10lb minimum, although most people nowadays run 12's or 15's out there.

Here is a pic of the strongarm 30 series:


You're also going to want a fishfinder, and this one is all up to you. You're probably going to have to spend some decent cash for a good unit, and you might as well pay the extra $ and get one with a GPS already built in. GPS is CRUCIAL in the sound on foggy days, some days the fog is so thick you can't even see the bow of your boat and it doesn't lift off until late into the afternoon over the water, if at all.

Also consider getting yourself a VFH marine radio. Handhelds are cheap, and are adequate if you are not planning to travel too far from the harbor, and if you are only on the water once and a while, but dash mount units coupled with an antenna will broadcast much further and more clearly as well as pick up other boat's signals much better than handheld units.

Hope this information is helpful, get that thing ready for humpy season and get after em.

See you on the water.

[Anonymous]

Hey MaxumCory,
Welcome to WL.com
I took the liberty to get your boat pic posted for you.
Mounting downriggers on your boat will be troublesome but it can be done. Where there's a will there's a way.
You could mount some of this style of Scotty bases in the area that you now have your rod holder bases mounted aft of your speakers. Scotty riggers come with rod holders mounted on their booms so you won't be losing rod holders. You'll have to make sure to add some reinforcement behind the rigger bases so you don't damage the fiberglass under them.

[MaxumCory]

really appreciate this info. I found this on Craigslist, sounds like a great deal but I'm not sure if i could mount it using that bracket you put there Big D.

[Anonymous]

really appreciate this info. I found this on Craigslist , sounds like a great deal but I'm not sure if i could mount it using that bracket you put there Big D.

That's another way you can mount them but you'll have to punch a couple of large holes in the gunnels of your boat.
You should jump on them. That's over $900.00 worth of riggers and extra gear right there. I would also remove the link you posted because if you don't jump on them quickly somebody else surely will.
Here's a pic of the flush mount rod holders that you'll need for that style of mount. Come to think of it, that's probably a much better way to go.

[MaxumCory]

I agree, sounds like it would be much more sturdy. Good point on that link... removed! ah! its still on your reply!

[Anonymous]

Got it. By the way...Thank you very much for your service.

[MaxumCory]

Bangor.

[Anonymous]

Bangor.

That's where I retired from back in 92. I finished up my navy days working in the hydraulics shop .
You on a boat or in a shop?