Attaching Downrigger

[xd2005]

I have a 14' Livingston and would like to get a couple downriggers and was curious on suggestions on how I might secure them.

Below is an image showing what I have to work with.

[lokidog]

I put DRs on a 14' aluminum boat once, had a heck of a time turning as it acted like fletching on an arrow keeping the boat straight.

Having said that, on my inflatable, I mounted the downriggers to a 2X10 that went across the gunwales.  If you put a through bolt through the back bench seats to attach the board to.  I think they make pedestals that would stand tall enough to get your DR to railing height.

[xd2005]

I put DRs on a 14' aluminum boat once, had a heck of a time turning as it acted like fletching on an arrow keeping the boat straight.

Having said that, on my inflatable, I mounted the downriggers to a 2X10 that went across the gunwales.  If you put a through bolt through the back bench seats to attach the board to.  I think they make pedestals that would stand tall enough to get your DR to railing height.

Main problem trying that is I don't have access underneath the back seats to secure a bolt.

[DoubleJ]

I did similar with my 12' fiberglass.  Layed a 2x10 across the gunwales and bolted the downriggers to the board but I used C clamps to clamp the board to the little lip of the gunwale on either side so I could remove it easier when not needed.  It's surprisingly stable and secure.  I hit bottom onec and the board never moved a bit.  I'll try to post a picture later tonight if you can't picture it in your mind.  I don't have the problem with steering you described though.  Mine are angled about 45 degrees on an angle towards the back corners of the boat. 

If you use this setup, I suggest laying the board about 1/3 of the way forward of the boat so you have access to the back of the boat.  My first trip out, I had it clamped all the way to the rear of the boat and I couldn't reach the downrigger balls without hanging almost all the way out of the boat.

[lokidog]

I put DRs on a 14' aluminum boat once, had a heck of a time turning as it acted like fletching on an arrow keeping the boat straight.

Having said that, on my inflatable, I mounted the downriggers to a 2X10 that went across the gunwales.  If you put a through bolt through the back bench seats to attach the board to.  I think they make pedestals that would stand tall enough to get your DR to railing height.

Main problem trying that is I don't have access underneath the back seats to secure a bolt.

Oh yeah, forgot the rear seat was built into the transom.  As DJ said, clamps front and back on each gunwale should do the trick. 

You might try dragging a ball off the side of the boat on some string and see if you will be able to turn the boat though.

[xd2005]

The board across seems to be a pretty consistent thing I've seen. Not sure if I have enough lip to really secure it well, but maybe I could bolt a L bracket to the insides to which to attach the board. I don't think I would trust the strength of the side walls themselves to hold the weight of the downrigger by itself.

[DoubleJ]

I have about 1/2" of lip on mine and it works but an L bracket doesn't sound like a bad idea either.

[lokidog]

You could always put a block near the side to keep the side from compressing if you are worried about it. 

[Alchase]

I mounted a canon manual downrigger on my 10 foot Livingston. I sandwiched the sidewall between two peices of marine grade plywood and clamped the rigger to the ply. Worked great.