Are the hand rails on my 2000T Skeeter strong enough to support a 2×8 from side to side with down riggers attached? With wave action and the amount of stress up and down I’m worried I might crack the fiberglass or even break one of the supports. Any thoughts on strength? Or ideas where or how to mount a set on down riggers that aren’t permanent and can be easily removed. Called the Skeeter boat center and they never got back to me. Thanks !
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Are the hand rails on my 2000T Skeeter strong enough to support a 2×8 from side to side with down riggers attached? With wave action and the amount of stress up and down I’m worried I might crack the fiberglass or even break one of the supports. Any thoughts on strength? Or ideas where or how to mount a set on down riggers that aren’t permanent and can be easily removed. Called the Skeeter boat center and they never got back to me. Thanks !
They make Rigger Mounts that attach to hand rails. Why don’t you want to mount them permanently to the boat? Put some Bert’s Tracks down and then use Bert’s 3″ extensions? Rigger bases which pop right on/off.
I mounted this rail mount on my 2000T handrails- Rail Mount
I have small downriggers, but it worked well for the few times I mount them on the boat. I mounted them where the “T” is on the rail. I always took the ball off while running and limited the the swinging of the ball while I was resetting-either leave the ball in the water a little or put it in the boat. No problems with any cracking or the rail coming loose.
Not sure what number you called but feel free to give me a call at 715 738 1710.
Putting 2 riggers and rod holders on a board like that and having the board only pull basically on one point of the rail it would be tough on it. Do I think it would hold it, probably but thats a lot of weight on one small point. I would be worried about if you got snagged up or the likes and pulling even harder on them. If your looking to just add 2 riggers I would look into some 6″ traxs to mount them right behind the rails. A lot more solid and that is what they are designed for.
Any other questions please give me a call or contact me here!!
Thanks guys for the help! Eric, I’m not familiar with the 6 inch traxs you are talking about? Where can I see a picture of them or get them? Can your Driggers be taken off and on easily? I don’t want them permanently on, but do go salmon fishing occasionally, so would like to keep them off until them.
I have looked at the Bert’s rail system , not sure how my Penn downrigger bases fit in, also looked at the side rail mounts that Bigfife mentioned. Which would be considered the best bet for fiberglass. As you can tell I love my skeeter and don’t want to do anything to mess it up. Thanks in advance for everyone’s help!
Here you can see the Bert’s Tracks and how clean they look without the riggers installed.
Wades picture shows what we have done on a 1850. Same thing on a 2000t. The riggers will slide off and on quiet easy and there is very little in the way for when your not using them. Quite simple to install also.
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Wades picture shows what we have done on a 1850. Same thing on a 2000t. The riggers will slide off and on quiet easy and there is very little in the way for when your not using them. Quite simple to install also.
Eric, that is your craftsmanship on my old WX1850 isn’t it?
That it is!
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