Installing downrigger: backing plate required?

[TrueGRT]

Hi everyone,
when installing a Scotty downrigger on an Aluminum boat, do you use a backing plate underneath the gunnel?
If so, what material are you using and how thick should such a thing be?

 

[ondarvr]

It totally depends on the construction of the boat, some require it, some don't. What boat do you have?

 

[mr 88]

Minimum of 1/2" and either a plywood or hardwood will be better than just fender washers. Do not use pressure treated wood ,it is not compatible with aluminum.

 

[ondarvr]

If a backing plate needed you don't use wood, aluminum would de typical, but that's only if needed. Fender washers may work fine depending on the existing aluminum.

I just have washers on mine.

 

[Sprig]

It completely depends on the boat. I have a heavy gauge Alumaweld, there is no need for a backing plate. However it can't hurt to use a backing plate no matter what boat you have. I did use washers under the gunnel when I mounter the swivel base.

 

[MRS]

Always use a backing plate no matter what thickness and make it wider than what you are mounting. Then you will never worry about it ripping out if you snag something solid on the bottom.

 

[fhhuber]

Better to put in the backing plate unnecessarily than to have the thing rip out a chunk of gunwale.

$10 prevention (probably less)
vs
$$$ fix. (and the downrigger being on the bottom of the lake/bay/ocean)

 

[MRS]

Better to put in the backing plate unnecessarily than to have the thing rip out a chunk of gunwale.

$10 prevention (probably less)
vs
$$$ fix. (and the downrigger being on the bottom of the lake/bay/ocean)

Yup

 

[TrueGRT]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful! Its a Kingfisher Falcon but I agree with what has been said and will add the $10 protection rather than risking some desastrous alternative.

 

[mr 88]

If a backing plate needed you don't use wood, aluminum would de typical, but that's only if needed. Fender washers may work fine depending on the existing aluminum.

I just have washers on mine.

Unless you have soft stop downriggers wood if caulked and painted properly is IMHO a better option with aluminum gunwales. It will slightly absorb the sudden stop when retrieving and when dropped. Using weights like a 15 or 17 lber will put some hurt on your gunwales with that action. With glass I use aluminum backing plates as there is more substance to begin with and a bit of give without fear of a rigger ripping the aluminum to shreds if hung up on the bottom.

 

[ondarvr]

I've put both manual and electric DR's in dozens of boats over the last 40 years, never needed a wood backing plate on an aluminum boat, this includes my friends that are guides too. Wood would work, but why add wood to any boat when you don't need to.

 

[MRS]

I've put both manual and electric DR's in dozens of boats over the last 40 years, never needed a wood backing plate on an aluminum boat, this includes my friends that are guides too. Wood would work, but why add wood to any boat when you don't need to.

You are just smarter than us and luckily than us. We would just do what we do so we do not have to worry about anything.

 

[ondarvr]

Not sure what you're worrying about, there's typically plenty of flex in the boom whether it's composite or steel to prevent any damage from a sudden stop, and if there isn't, a piece of wood isn't going to increase it enough to make a difference. As was mentioned by a couple of us, it totally depends on the construction method and thickness of the aluminum as to whether a backing plate is needed, on a stout gunnel snagging on the bottom will result in something else breaking before the gunnel. On a lightweight build with thin aluminum and a long boom ( I use up to 6' booms) a backing plate may be needed.

 

[TrueGRT]

I've put some aluminum backing on just in case... Will see how that goes and report back in 10 years. Haha. (hopefully not earlier)