Scotty High Performance Downriggers

[ASHQUACK]

I know some said it earlier but call Scotty directly. They take care of their customers. I bought a couple second hand and they hooked me up with replacement parts.

[Stein]

The Scotty design leads to these issues.  The motor is mounted below the spool and contained in a plastic cup.  If water gets in there it has no place to go other than soak the motor.  The motor spindle comes up through the top which is an opening that water will get through.  If you spray the spool water gets in there.  After replacing several motors, I lightly rinse the boom only, nothing around the motor housing.

Scottys are easy to fix and Connor sells all the parts at the best prices I have found.

From my experience, the Scotty warranty is about useless.  To use it, you have to pull the downriggers, send them to a shop that is likely backlogged 2-4 weeks where you won't be fishing.  Of course, they always break right in prime time, so I just pay for the parts and fix them myself.

[EnglishSetter]

The Scotty design leads to these issues.  The motor is mounted below the spool and contained in a plastic cup.  If water gets in there it has no place to go other than soak the motor.  The motor spindle comes up through the top which is an opening that water will get through.  If you spray the spool water gets in there.  After replacing several motors, I lightly rinse the boom only, nothing around the motor housing.

Scottys are easy to fix and Connor sells all the parts at the best prices I have found.

From my experience, the Scotty warranty is about useless.  To use it, you have to pull the downriggers, send them to a shop that is likely backlogged 2-4 weeks where you won't be fishing.  Of course, they always break right in prime time, so I just pay for the parts and fix them myself.

Seems this "cup" could use a weep hole.

[Stein]

The motor itself also holds water, the bearing at the bottom is the one that fails probably 90% of the time as any water basically just sits on the bearing.

I've gotten pretty good at replacing rotor bearings.

If you could somehow run the downrigger upside down or the motor was on top it would be far more reliable.

[EnglishSetter]

The motor itself also holds water, the bearing at the bottom is the one that fails probably 90% of the time as any water basically just sits on the bearing.

I've gotten pretty good at replacing rotor bearings.

If you could somehow run the downrigger upside down or the motor was on top it would be far more reliable.

JMHO, you shouldn't have to get good at it for a $750 downrigger made for saltwater use.

[Stein]

I have that same thought every time I fix it.  If I had something good to say about it I would simply state that at least they made it easy to work on.

I always hear about guys that run them forever with zero repairs, but that hasn't been my experience at all.

[30.06]

I was always a Penn DR guy. My Uncle ran Cannon's. My buddy likes Scotty. He says they are easy to fix. My reply is always- Because they are easy to break.

My personal belief is that is a flawed basic design the Canadians are just plain too proud to re-engineer. The spool should be upright with the motor next to it.

But once you have all the bases and wiring, it's just so easy to stick with the same brand.

[CP]

My Scotty downrigger spends most of its time on the shelf in my shed. 

The downriggers I use most are Penns. My 800/825 electrics are at least 30 years old, maybe 40.  A bit banged up and modified but they still work great. 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I am not a fan of the new HP Scotty’s. A lot of my friends use them and I had some and they have issue after issue, led depth gauge breaks, balls popping off it you tap the green button, corrosion issues. Warranty is great but they take constant maintenance.

I have and prefer the 1106’s and pull 15lb balls up to 350’ deep. Minor issues over the last 12 years to include brake pads, one failed depth gear and I SPLIT ONE IN HALF with a garage door. I called Scotty and told them what happened. They laughed at me and warrantied it for free.

Van Ripper’s in Sekiu is now a Scotty warranty facility. I had them tune mine up and he had it done in 2 days.

[huntnphool]

This has been an interesting thread. I’ve had my 1116’s for 21 years, never had an issue and I rinse them off daily after use.

[Happy Gilmore]

Sent Scotty pictures after speaking with them today. They looked at the photos and are sending me the parts needed to rebuild it. If you can install a lightbulb you can fix these things. Theyre super simple. Definitely takes little to no mechanical skill.