Manual Downriggers - Horizontal vs Vertical Reels

[h2ofowlr]

I have both and find the vertical manuals are easier to crank up vs to he horizontal Scotty.

[h2ofowlr]

Secondary question: any opinions on swivel bases between the brands? Looks like Scotty has the best, can't tell if Penn even sells one.

I have swivel bases for both. Scotty is 4 wing bolts to remove.  Penn is one larger bolt to remove.  Penn swivel will take 4 bolts to mount to something and will stay on boat unless wing nuts are purchased and used.

[metlhead]

I have Penn swivels for my large boat. I made flat brackets for my sled and can swivel the riggers by loosening the single bolt.

[lokidog]

Cannon swivels are very easy to use.

I had downriggers on a 14' Sylvan aluminum boat, they acted like the vanes on an arrow, crazy hard to turn. Oddly, the same downriggers on my 12' Zodiac inflatable did not cause the same issue, I reeled in many, many salmon on that little boat.

[MIKEXRAY]

That's funny after reading this whole thread as I have 2 Cannon vertical manual downriggers mounted on Scotty swivel bases. I don't mind the manuals as I only use them 3 or 4 times a year , never done horizon but seems an awkward motion to me.  I used an old solid wood thick cutting board to make the adapter to mate up the two brands. The scotty bases work perfect in my application with easy pivoting and solid locking.