scotty downriggers or pot pullers

[Sante&Judy]

We recently purchased a new to us 2014 Ranger 25SC. We are considering using it for crabbing and/or shrimping. What has anyone done to attach downriggers or pot pullers on a similar boat? Is there factory equipment, or only after market? What advice, recommendations, and cautions do you have? Thanks.

 

[Chimo]

Our 2017 25SC came complete with Scotty pads (mounted to the side cockpit rails where there is a vertical support) and plugs below. We have removed ours as the boat idles too fast to troll effectively. If you have a puller they would work perfectly. Suggest you go with Scotty for compatibility with the plugs if you find you have them but you can buy the plug-ins and adapt other makes.

For crabs and prawns e currently use a Sotty rail mount with their removable pulley to make the line pull horizontal. Crabs are shallow so the "armstrong" retriever works fine. For prawns you might like to thing about an anchor retriever like https://www.westmarine.com/ironwood-pac ... 88414.html. We made it cheaper still by using the marker buoy we already had. Electric pullers are great$$ but until you know how much you will use it try one of the simple solutions.

 

[Red Raven]

We have a Classic R27 which. Has a similar cockpit to your R25SC. We use our boat for shrimping with a Scotty Line puller. We do not fish and thus do not have down riggers but the previous owner did have downrigger power and rail mounts installed which can be used for a pot puller.

As originally configured the Scotty rail mounts were mounted to the rail on both port and starboard sides on the rail just aft of the step going forward. This location did not work well for shrimping for several reasons. First the rail is fairly high for lifting the trap into the boat, second, the Bimini frame is in the way making it very difficult to lift the trap through, third, the boat hull is easily scratched by the trap requiring the use of a large carpet or other slung over the side to protect the hull, and lastly the cockpit floor gets pretty messy when the trap is pulled in making the Admiral unhappy!

My solution was to move the starboard Scotty rail mount (and extend the power connection) to the far aft end of the rail immediately starboard of the cockpit/swimstep door. The Scotty rail mount needs a horizontal and vertical rail section to hold fast and not slip. While a rail tee location is best at this location there is only an “ell”. The rail mount needs to straddle the rail ell and be very tight, but it works. The Scotty puller is then mounted to the rail mount with a Scotty adaptor. The puller arm hangs out at an angle dropping the line directly in front of the swimstep ladder. Prior to pulling the trap(s) the dinghy is lowered to the water to the water, leaving it attached to the tug via the Weaver mounts. When the trap comes up it goes straight into the dinghy instead of the tug. I then work from the dinghy to dump the shrimp from the trap to a bucket and keep the mess in the dinghy which is easily washed out with a bucket when tipped up.

This approach protects the tug hull from scratches, makes it easier to haul in the traps, and keeps the cockpit clean. Works great!

Curt

 

[bob daily]

Most small pot pullers are designed to mount to downrigger pads the Scotty, Brutus Pacific pro and the Five Oceans pot puller to name a few. The main diffrence is that some will swing the boom around to the cockpit area and some like the Scotty you will have to reach out and lift the pot over the Grunwal.
The price of a small pot puller is between $500 and $1500 depending on choice.
I use the Scotty mounted to a Cannon pad using an adapter for the mount and electrical plug. I was just west of you last week crabbing the mouth of the Columbia river, the crabs were large and full of meat I brought a freezer full home a little over 80 something. The winter months are the best time of the year for grabbing but the weather is unpredictable we had small craft warnings 3 out of 4 days. The current rips, so be sure th weight your pots if you want to get them back, I use 10# bar-bell weights
Best of luck with your new boat Bob

 

[dgiles]

Most small pot pullers are designed to mount to downrigger pads the Scotty, Brutus Pacific pro and the Five Oceans pot puller to name a few. The main diffrence is that some will swing the boom around to the cockpit area and some like the Scotty you will have to reach out and lift the pot over the Grunwal.
The price of a small pot puller is between $500 and $1500 depending on choice.
I use the Scotty mounted to a Cannon pad using an adapter for the mount and electrical plug. I was just west of you last week crabbing the mouth of the Columbia river, the crabs were large and full of meat I brought a freezer full home a little over 80 something. The winter months are the best time of the year for grabbing but the weather is unpredictable we had small craft warnings 3 out of 4 days. The current rips, so be sure th weight your pots if you want to get them back, I use 10# bar-bell weights
Best of luck with your new boat Bob

Good job on the crabbing, that's a big haul. What is the crab limit in WA?

 

[bob daily]

Columbia river has a daily limit of 12 Dungeness crabs 5 3/4 in minimum size, males only, and in hard shell condition. Open year-round to all gear, 3 pots per person. East of a line from exposed end of north and south jetty upstream to a line between Tongue Point and Rocky Point. Boat launches are in Chinook Wa, ilwaco wa,and cape disapointment state park for the Washington side of the river. Best bait is chicken legs and fish. Well worth a trip! Bob

 

[Rocky Lou]

My boat was configured with Scotty pads/plugs for downriggers. I use the Ace Line Hauler Brutus Pacific Pro Pot Puller (thanks @annietime) that fits the Scotty mount without modification. If you chose that route, be sure to get the Bulldog hands free option that coils the rope for you.

 

[Sante&Judy]

Thank you all for your help.