Downrigger mount to seat base?

[Teamsasky]

A long time reader of the forum but this is my first post. Has anybody seen or heard of mounting downriggers to a seat base using a seat pedestal? I am chasing all options to have them removable without drilling holes in my new boat. I have the canon unitroll's and the booms are long enough to clear the gunwales without having to extend them. I'm guessing the torque might be too much for the seat base? Thoughts?

[new LT]

Originally Posted by Teamsasky

A long time reader of the forum but this is my first post. Has anybody seen or heard of mounting downriggers to a seat base using a seat pedestal? I am chasing all options to have them removable without drilling holes in my new boat. I have the canon unitroll's and the booms are long enough to clear the gunwales without having to extend them. I'm guessing the torque might be too much for the seat base? Thoughts?

Some guys use something similar to a seat pedestal only higher for regular pontoon boats, so just google pontoon downrigger mounts.

[Teamsasky]

Originally Posted by new LT

Some guys use something similar to a seat pedestal only higher for regular pontoon boats, so just google pontoon downrigger mounts.

Thanks, I think I have seen the mounts you're referring to only not mounted to a swivel seat base. I'll check them out

Originally Posted by JohninAB

That is how I am going to mount mine. If a seat base can hold my fat ole carcass bouncing across a lake, sure it can hold a downrigger.

Lol, this thought crossed my mind as well but wasn't sure if the load put on the seat base in a side/perpendicular direction would be too much. If you think it'll work I may try it as well

Originally Posted by HunterDave

What kind of boat? I bought a small downrigger for my 14' tinny that clamps right to the gunnel.

I want to stay away from the clamp on style. My last boat was a tinny and I ran a 2x6 across the back which worked very well but was hoping to try something different

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Teamsasky

I want to stay away from the clamp on style. My last boat was a tinny and I ran a 2x6 across the back which worked very well but was hoping to try something different

I haven't tried the clamp on downrigger yet. Did you have issues with that type?

[EZM]

My thoughts ..... If you are using your downrigger often and take time to install the plastic base properly it looks neat and clean like a part of the boat.

It should be stronger this was and in a much better position to take full advanatage of your spread. You would also enjoy your floor space in the boat.

I don't have experience with seat base mounting but it seems like it could present some challenges for a number of reasons.

[Teamsasky]

Originally Posted by EZM

My thoughts ..... If you are using your downrigger often and take time to install the plastic base properly it looks neat and clean like a part of the boat.

It should be stronger this was and in a much better position to take full advanatage of your spread. You would also enjoy your floor space in the boat.

I don't have experience with seat base mounting but it seems like it could present some challenges for a number of reasons.

This is all true and makes sense. My problem is that I will use them probably less than half the time on the boat and is why I want them removable. The space they will take up in the boat I will be able to deal with as it won't be very often. Mounting them properly to the gunwale would look neat and clean but was worrying about resale and having 8 bolt holes in the boat. Using the seat base does still worry me a little. Maybe I gotta suck it up and bolt them in....or go back to a 2x6 plank and run it across.

[JohninAB]

Originally Posted by Teamsasky

A long time reader of the forum but this is my first post. Has anybody seen or heard of mounting downriggers to a seat base using a seat pedestal? I am chasing all options to have them removable without drilling holes in my new boat. I have the canon unitroll's and the booms are long enough to clear the gunwales without having to extend them. I'm guessing the torque might be too much for the seat base? Thoughts?

That is how I am going to mount mine. If a seat base can hold my fat ole carcass bouncing across a lake, sure it can hold a downrigger.

[HunterDave]

What kind of boat? I bought a small downrigger for my 14' tinny that clamps right to the gunnel.