Downrigger Question?

I have mine mounted to the side, and have no problems.

I have two mounted straight back and two with longer arms mounted to the side. No problems at all. Just make sure you mount them securely and include backing plates in your installation.  

I really could not, or would RATHER not say if it will suffice, or not. Personally, I don't mount ANYTHING to my boat without a plate.

pafisher,
          Erie, yep a nice size salmon from there between the 4 mile creek and the bay. It's the first time I had ever fished lake Erie so it's all new to me. My boat is only 16' and I'm a little skittish about taking it out there. I was not even positive it was a salmon since I have never caught or fished for them or larger trout, I fillet it and saw the pink meat. I'm a Walleye fisherman mostly and that's why I'm trying Erie this year. However, I think I'm hooked now. It beats most of the smaller lakes around here. Also like the big rivers, you never know what is going to bite the hook.     

I just got mine on e-bay brand new for $250.  Cannon Mini Mag with 36" aluminum boom and electric with Ion/magnetic attraction.  For the extra $100 you can't go wrong.  You might even find one cheaper now.  Good Luck!  
 
Heres some links I found for ya.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANNON-EASI-TROLL-II-FISHING-DOWNRIGGER-W-COUNTER_W0QQitemZ200107384006QQihZ010QQcategoryZ36151QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=cannon++downrigger&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=16157&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1

ORIGINAL: Finster

I was thinking of buying this downrigger? For the price it seems nice. Any comments?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=search_redir&id=0043210018861a&navCount=0&podId=0043210&parentId=cat20985&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20985&hasJS=true

 
I had looked at those at one time. The price does seem nice. Back when I was considering them, I believe they had a fiberglass boom. I had heard a 2nd hand report of the boom breaking on that model. Supposedly, the owner replaced the broken fiberglass boom with a stainless steel rod of same dimensions. I'm not sure, but I think there is also a weight limitation for that model and I think it is 8lb. On Erie, I prefer a 10 lb (or heavier) ball.
 
I know all of what I said above is a bit fuzzy because it was either 2nd hand, or it was from what I recall going back 10 to 15 yrs ago, but just a few things you may want to check into prior to your purchase.
 
I have 4 Cannons. 2 electric, and 2 manual. I can't remember the model numbers because they are 10 to 15 yrs old, but they are the ones that come with the telescopic boom. Mag 10a sticks in my mind for some reason. Have had great luck with Cannons. I recently bought some Big Jons components that I needed as part of the 2 planner board masts I built. I am not impressed what-so-ever with Big Jons. The pulleys don't turn, the handle vibrated out of the reel, noisy, etc.

I agree with spoonchucker about the backing. Even a block of wood with the fender washers on the bottom side of the thru bolts would be enough to disperse the forces across a greater area of the gunwale.

Thanks for all the info guys. It will help. I went to Erie today and didn't catch anything. As the final kick in the butt, my 9.9 kicker motor quit pumping water!!! I was running it for quite awhile before I noticed. Hope it's not trashed. I have it at the shop now.

ORIGINAL: kc

I would used some type of backing plate, either wood or aluminum and make sure you use bolts and fender washers.  Absolutely do not use screws. There can be a lot of stress on the mount especially in choppy water and you are trolling a 10-12 pound weight at 2-2.5 mph waiting for that 25-30 lb. King salmon to hit.

 
I totally agree with kc. Mounting a downrigger is an application for thru bolts (you can use machine screws with washers / nuts). If you use a wood block as your backing, you should also use fender washers. If you use a metal backing plate (and I don't mean sheet metal. 1/4" aluminum would be good), you wouldn't need the fender washers. I always use the nylon nuts so they stay tight.
 
When I installed the downriggers on my current boat, rather than mount the bases directly on the gunwales, I used the Berts tracks. Used ample backing under the gunwale as already discussed. Gives me the option of using rod holders only instead of downriggers. Berts stuff isn't cheap, but it is very nice. And if your planning on keeping the boat for a long time, what the heck. Besides, with the Berts tracks, you can install the step insert and they down even look like fishing tackle. Even though I only use my boat for fishing, I try to keep it visually appealing to the cruising crowd as well. I think resale from day one.

Buy a Cannon w/ mounting plate and swivel base.  I have riggers mounted on our custom aluminum raised rack.  We have positions/base plates mounted for 3 riggers and have 3 on at the moment.  If we only use 2, the are run directly behind the boat.  If we decide to run three, we will use the swivel base to "turn it out" and make it a boom rigger.  Somedays if it is dead calm and fish very spooky, especially in shallow, I will make both outsides boom riggers.