Scotty Mounting Plate

[RT23 Kingfisher]

I have a 2019 R23 equiped with Scotty plates and plugs, one on each gunwale. Looking at the underside of the gunwale, it doesn't appear that a backing plate was used. Was the gunwale reinforced at this location or should I consider removing it and installing a backing plate? I intend to use one of these with a line puller for crabbing. I guess I am curious if anyone has experienced any signs of fatigue or cracking at these locations after extended use? Seems like a shortfall on the part of the installer not to use backing plates.

 

[Pandion]

I have a 2019 R23 equiped with Scotty plates and plugs, one on each gunwale. Looking at the underside of the gunwale, it doesn't appear that a backing plate was used. Was the gunwale reinforced at this location or should I consider removing it and installing a backing plate? I intend to use one of these with a line puller for crabbing. I guess I am curious if anyone has experienced any signs of fatigue or cracking at these locations after extended use? Seems like a shortfall on the part of the installer not to use backing plates.

We have a '21 R27OB. We've had Scotty HP downriggers mounted on the factory pads since the boat was new and we have not experienced any issue with the factory pad installation. I don't recall how those pads are mounted but they should at least be through-bolted with fender washers under the nuts.

We use 15# balls and extend the downrigger arms to 60", so there's a significant a lever-arm effect. We had one instance where we got hung up on a derelict commercial crab pot that put a tremendous strain on the downrigger and mount but no damage. I would not have an issue pulling recreational pots from one of those pads with a puller like a Scotty or an Ace.

 

[RT23 Kingfisher]

Thanks P, that is reassuring. Being an old sailor I was taught all deck hardware should be back plated. I'm gonna use it as is. One can only hope the pots will be so full I wished I had backplated it

 

[Rocky Lou]

If you use an Ace Line Hauler like I do, it's not supported by Scotty. Here's what they said, "
Unfortunately our mounts are NOT designed for ace line haulers and WILL BREAK the swivel all the time and Voids any warranty

You will need a njord All Aluminum swivel for that unit
https://www.harbourchandler.ca/products/njord-swivel-mount?_pos=2&_psq=njord&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Even if you put a metal plate on our swivel the next part that will break is the housing

I recommend not using a swivel and just mount the tilt up bracket directly to your boat (Even our 1023 tilt up bracket will break eventually from the extreme leverage from the ace."

I still use mine on a swivel, however, I also use the Ace Custom 2 Hole Aluminum Billet Mount and I don't crab with heavy pots, only Promar 12 lbs. (Once commercial season opens, I buy live crab...it's cheaper).