rob v Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) I'm trying to figure out how to go about mounting a downrigger or two on my crestliner. The gunnel on my boat is 3 inches wide and the mounting base/plates on my big john downriggers is 4" square. I would like to mount them on the gunnel some how but I can't decide how. I was thinking of mounting the base plate to the gunnel with the extra 1" hanging over the inside edge of the gunnel with a 1" peice of aluminium angle under the extra edge and attached to the side of the gunnel. Not really excited about mounting a board across the stern. I looked into the Bert's mounting system - but the base plate for that system is 3 1/2 " wide - which would leave an extra 1/4" over each side if I centred it on the gunnel. I may have to consider that option. Anybody have any other ideas/suggestions ? Thanks. Edited June 11, 2009 by Rob V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonny Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 It may be a little more expensive but a rail system has alot of benifits,,check here http://www.traxstech.com/store/downrigger_mounts.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob v Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Thanks for the suggestion Sonny - similar to the Bert's system - again the track is 3 1/2" wide and my gunnel is only 3" wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Thanks for the suggestion Sonny - similar to the Bert's system - again the track is 3 1/2" wide and my gunnel is only 3" wide. Rob, how about this T-Bolt mounting bracket. It allows you to mount a track above the gunnel. You can then take the 'riggers off and mount rod holders or other stuff on the track. http://www.traxstech.com/store/t_bolt_mounting.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdox Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Rob, how about this T-Bolt mounting bracket. It allows you to mount a track above the gunnel. You can then take the 'riggers off and mount rod holders or other stuff on the track. http://www.traxstech.com/store/t_bolt_mounting.htm I might be wrong, but that looks like it's for boats that have a factory track system already installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dara Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Lets see your boat. I just did mine. I used the holes already there from the cleats. Bent a piece of stainless steel at work, used a file and sander to get rid of the sharp edges and give it a brushed finnish. I couldn't and didn't want to put a board across because there is a seat mount in the way. If you show a picture maybe we can come up with something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Devine Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Rob, I have 2-6" tracks for my boat. They don't have to go on the gunnels as you see by my pics. I have also seen people put them just in front of where I mounted mine on the carpet. All you need is a 4"x6" area to work with when using Berts track system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob v Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Dara/Bob - some good info - thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipupesox Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Another option would be to install 2 flush mount rod holders and than purchase 2 gimbal mount brackets like these: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...rset=ISO-8859-1 Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fang Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Rob I run a Crestliner 1750 with I think the same gunnels. I have 6" wide Aluminum brackets (1/8" thick) very similar to Dara post. They bolt in to the gunnel and then tie into back deck. I'll post a couple of pics later. I run cannon mag 10's with the old cannon swivel bases and the plates are very solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Walker Downriggers also offer a gimble mount style bracket (Quick Mount Base) for built in rod holders. They also have a Narrow Base Angle Stand available. (2-1/2 X 6) While I don't have them they are a nice option that allows for quick and easy removal of the downriggers when not needed and leaves a couple of rod holders behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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