Downrigger setup on a Starcraft Holiday

[nokiddin]

Hey Guys.

I managed to pick up a couple Scotty manual downriggers at a farm auction for a whole 2 bucks for the pair. The have the C-clamp type mounts on them and the arm is about 12 - 16 inches long.

I am wondering how I could set these up on my boat, I have a 1961 StarCraft holiday 18 foot. Seems the only place I could clamp them on is right on the transom. This might be a little tight with an electric TM on the transom also, but I think it would work. What I need to know is, could I install some rod holders on the gunwhale about 1.5-2 feet away from the downrigger if they are installed like this?

Or do I have to get some different mounts so I can get the downrigger and rod holders really close together.

I won't use them a whole pile, so something simple is preferred.

Thanks

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Downrigger setup on a Starcraft Holiday

Been a long time since I had mine. As I recall, the gunwale caps aren't supported so the addition of a down rigger would not work without some reinforcing. Seems to put them in the transom area could be an access problem, OB or I/O. I think if I were going to run them I would put them on the gunwales a comfortable distance forward of the transom; like 4' for starters. Then reinforce as required.

Boy did I love my Holiday. Only problem I had was that it was a 1965 and had the 110 Mercruiser. Had I had the money to upgrade outdrive to power TT rather than just tilt and repower with the 140hp 4 cyl, maybe add some trim tabs, I would have been in hog heaven. But that little 110 purred like a kitten.

HTH,
Mark