Mounting Downriggers on 21ec

[TylerFromEverett]

Hello,

Any suggestions for mounting downriggers to a 21ec? I prefer a non-permanent solution like a rail or gimbal mount but don’t have any practical experience with either of these options.

 

[bob daily]

Tyler, I went with a rail system with a 4 in riser so the down rigger will clear the rails when placed in the aft position for docking. When not being used you can replace the cover and it looks like a foot pad for entering the boat, very clean and nice looking I think. I photo is in my album, if you want more photos of my install text me and I'll send.
To access the area of my install was through the cockpit speakers.
Bob

 

[TylerFromEverett]

Did you modify your side rails to lift off? Or was that from the factory?

 

[bob daily]

They lifted out.

 

[Newf]

Scotty has mounts that you can clamp directly to the rail. I used them for 5 years with no problems using 15lb balls. Last year I added stiffening bracket to provide a bit of extra strength after hooking the bottom and commercial crab traps a couple of times. Photos of before and after stiffening in my album.

 

[johnniethek]

Tyler,
I used a rubber mallet to remove the rails on both sides of the boat, then added downrigger plates above the speakers. Look at my pictures and you can see how that was done.

The folks at RT did the work for me and didn't even charge me. That's because they said they had never put downrigger plates on a 21-footer and learned how to do it on my boat. Because of that knowledge gained, they didn't charge me.

Later, I had the boat wired for electric downriggers, which you might want to consider. I used both electric downrigger and pot puller on the Red Ranger.

Good luck,

J