Downrigger mount...where to find?

[sunnydude2]

I have two downriggers that need mounting. Visiting with dock neighbor he showed me his 'offshore mounts' that are an L shaped bracket that mounts to the inside of the gunnel and can be removed when not in use. Anyone know where to find these?

[Pegasis]

Outdoor Emporium

[SomeSailor]

You're definitely on the right track Sean. The Offshore Mounts are GREAT! Very small footprint and keep the boat lines clean so momma doesn't have to look at downriggger mounts when you're not fishing. I love mine.

Talk to dave at Outdoor Emporium. I saw they still had them when we were down there for the Boat Show Cruise. Heck of a nice guy. Tell him you're with IBoatNorthWest, maybe he'll cut ya some slack on the price.

[beyond kelp]

I went with the ones that slide into the stock rod holder gizmos- just pull em out when yer done. :D

[Pegasis]

Stopped by OE last night. They were out of stock on the Offshore mounts.

I've heard the guy that purchased the company works for Three Rivers in Monroe. Maybe they have them in stock.

[bradvo]

I know this place is out of the way for most but Sportco in Fife has a huge assortment of mounts and fish gear. Not sure if they have a web site or not. Off shore was a brand they also carried.
Brad

[SomeSailor]

Worth the time to find some Offshore Mounts if you can. As Roy said, they are really nice. They provide a very clean install, and when the riggers are off, you'd never know even notice them.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Sportco... I have seen lots of mounting hardware for downriggers. I was not looking for offshore however...

Sportco (http://www.sportco.com/productcart/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=4)

Seen them here too but not as many as Sportco...

Sportsmans Warehouse (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/)

[SomeSailor]

With them going out of business, it makes me wish now I had taken them off my boat before selling them. Really nice setups. They could be made easy enough though. Just powder coated aluminum pockets.

[sunnydude2]

SS...so what you are saying is I won't be able to find them now? :( I haven't found them at all on the web. The only thing close is a scotty side mount in black.

[bradvo]

The original offshore mounts sucked, you could lose your downrigger and I am sure some did. I almost lost one of mine , It happened to break and I was lucky enough to have been standing next to it and grabbed hold. Last I heard they were picked up by another company, they have a few different styles- 2 I know of was a quick release pedestal mount , the other was a nylon type material that was designed for rail mount and then you could also attach to inner cockpit area. It had a L shape bracket that fit in for quick in and out of down rigger.
Brad

[Go Aweigh2452]

I think the basic scotty mounting plate is not that bad to look at... it is only about 1/2" high and about 4x4" sq... You could always paint it to match your boat to make it less visible?

[SomeSailor]

I loved mine. Bob has them on his boat as well. Never heard of one breaking before. The weight of the downrigger sits on the teflon block on the L-Shaped bracket.

The really slick part is when mounted to a side gunnel, they are virtually invisible. They offer a very small footprint when not installed and are very well built from what I've seen.

[sunnydude2]

That would be what i am looking for. With these i could mount my swivel mount to it. The neighbor just had the stainless pins in his.

[SomeSailor]

If you absulutely can't find any, lemme know. I can build you a set. There's really not a great deal to them. Two pieces of plate, separated by two 1/4" square stock. They powder coated (or actually vinyl coated is closer) and are pretty straightforward designs. Well thought out and work well.

[bradvo]

when they first came out they did not have the metal back plate that SS shows, it was only a nylon material- the metal back plate came after so many problems. i had to buy a 3rd to make a better support then sold mine on ebay last year.
Brad

[bradvo]

Sean, if your not in a hurry for these I can look at Sportco when I get back from vacation and let you know the price. Let me know. If they are in stock and you like the price I can mail them up to you.
Brad

[sunnydude2]

Brad...that would be great! Thanks. Not in a hurry. Silvers don't run till the fall right and I have other boat projects to get done first. :)

[bradvo]

Sean, I have a short memory span and will be back in town around the 12th of march. I will try and remember to check on the mounts sometime betwen Monday and wed of that week- if you do not here from me about them by the 16 th of March please ping me about them. after a week in temps ranging around the 90's my brain may very well malfunction.
Brad

[sunnydude2]

A rough way to lose memory! :) I will put a reminder on my calendar!

[sunnydude2]

I was in Harbor Marine yesterday and they have all the Offshore Mounts. Not as expensive as I expected. Think they were $65/mount.

[SomeSailor]

Very cool Sean; I'm sure you'll be happy with them. We added a 1/4-20 threadedpin to Bob's to keep everything in place, but I really don't think you need it after all is said and done. If the boat rolls far enough to toss those L-Brackets out of the pockets... you have more serious problems to worry about than down riggers :)

[sunnydude2]

SS...I did notice that they don't come with a retainer pin. Didn't think you needed one anyways.

Haven't bought them yet as I am in the process of replacing sanitation lines and that is going to take me much longer than expected due to the routing of the lines through a compartment i don't have access too. :(

Will post when I do in fact get the mounts. :)

[SomeSailor]

They really don't. I had stainless pins I added to mine, and then when we installed Bob's we threaded up a 1/4-20 hole to pin them with a knob from Ace. They do sit still better, but if you think about bit, it'd take a pretty heavy roller to get them to fall UP 6" :)

[bradvo]

Just got back from our trip from Panama and read you have found a source Sean. No need to add a pin, was in some really rough water and my downriggers were still in place, they were the least of my worries and did not even have them on my mind, I was pleaantly surprise to see they were still in place.
Brad

[SomeSailor]

... and a float

... and a safety line on a clip

... and an alarm in case they fall overboard

:D

I added the pin to mine and Bob's, but honestly don't think they're necessary. If a downrigger can get tossed out of a 6 in deep pocket... That means everything else went up in the air 6 inches... :)

[jturbo]

I just installed the "L" shapped bracket today. Works pretty slick for the downrigger mount! Though I would recomend you drill a couple extra holes in through the entire assembly and use a couple pins to keep it a little more secure in the bracket. Otherwise it just seams like its a bit sloppy!

And yes Three Rivers in Woodinville has lots of shaps and sizes for what your looking for! They will be able to hook you up over there.

[bradvo]

Same feeling when you add those tilt davit sytems to your boat and your tender is hanging parallel to the water. Makes you wonder why this thing does not fly back and bang your transom when you stop fast?? it just does not happen.
Good luck fishing :)
Brad