mounting outriggers off second station tower frame on PH

[panga]

Anyone see any issues with mounting my outriggers on the aluminum frame/ handrail for the second station on top of pilot house on my 2520. I am planning to have some aluminum mounting plates welded to the round handrail tubing which goes around the perimeter of the pilothouse station and is about 40 inches above the pilot house roof? I will be using the taco gunnel mount rigger bases that the previous owner gave me with the boat but had never installed. I would think they would be very easy to operate when standing on the roof of the pilothouse. What do you guys think, I have heard that these rigger bases have issues with being to low to the water when mounted on the gunnels the pilot house height should solve this? I am a rookie when it comes to outriggers, but would like to use these riggers I already have.

 

[lorikay2]

Don’t see why that would be a problem? But if you’re starting fresh, I would recommend thinking about another option that allows you to choose more positions on the outrigger. It would definitely work but the gunnel mounts only let you set the rigger in one of three positions if I’m correct? The base plate is a great idea just shop around before you drill the holes. Whatever you choose, you’re guna have a blast fishing with an outrigger setup!

 

[panga]

Thanks for the input, I think you are right they will only allow for a few settings. I was just figuring they will be plenty high enough so I wouldn't be having problems on the height, do you think I will be wanting to set the riggers lower to the water for certain conditions or lures?

 

[Megabyte]

do you think I will be wanting to set the riggers lower to the water for certain conditions or lures?

Getting to the release clips that high up might be an issue, so keep that in mind before you make a final decision.
Of course, if you set your rigging down on the washboards, that might not be an issue at all.

Would love to see photos of what you eventually come up with.

 

[lorikay2]

Well in heavy wind, ill run mine in the flat position so that the wind isn’t catching the lines and swinging the lines across each other. In normal conditions (5-10 mph wind) Ill run them at around 30 degrees. Otherwise it depends on what the fish are asking for ie. deep diving baits or top water splashing. So if you can lay the riggers flat, I don’t think mounting them up there would really be a problem? I’ve seen plenty of boats set up that way. Another thing to think about is eases of deployment and use because when you out scratching and you need to run and gun on fresh radio numbers, you’re going to want to raise and lower them several times during the day. So that makes mounting location important also.

 

[Bryan 2530]

If you lay the riggers flat you risk dipping one and bending the sh!t out of it.

That is why they are mounted at an angle.

 

[panga]

Cool thanks for the help everyone, i am going to go ahead and get ahold of the welder in the morning. I will try the bases I have now, if they don't work out I will get some that allow more adjustment. But as is I think I should be able to go flat or 30 or 60 degrees, and being that high off the pilot house I doubt dipping into the water will be an issue. As far as access to the riggers, it will be a snap just walk up the ladder and sit on the top bench seat.

Thanks for the help,

 

[panga]

Also... If I mount the cleat that the lines go to low on the gunnels working the lines should be easy? what do you think?

 

[lorikay2]

Ya I forgot about running the risk of dipping them in the water when laying them flat. Ya, we run the lines to the center cleats on the gunnel and it works well. And that way I didn’t have to mount more hardware to the hull. Well it sounds like it’s going to be a cool setup and we’re guna want to see some pick when it’s done!