Interesting Looking Downrigger - Could Make It Yourself!

[arpie]

Hi guys

It is cold & wet here today & I have plenty of time checking out different bits on the web!! Found this interesting looking downrigger that looks like anyone with welding skills could make pretty easily! It fits into an existing rod holder.

showing the business end

Here is the description that goes with it

Full Aluminum DownRigger

New and improved version.

This is a new version of my existing one, it now has the spool mounted on the side with an attached Gimble and rod holder. the rod holder has a verticle pin and is fully welded to the unit and capable of holding an 80lb outfit for that serious bluewater fishing. The shaft for the spool extends through the Boom and has a hole for attaching a safety line. it all weighs around 4kg and is stronger than any around. Units Similar to these sell on the market for $500 and up.

This is a fully custom made downrigger, the spool is made from laser cut 2.5mm thick plate aluminum with a full inner aluminum ring tack welded to eliminate the need for stainless screws, the boom is made from 3mm thick wall tube alluminum and the shaft is of 16mm thick solid aluminum, there is a stainless steel and abs plastic thumb screw in the top for the spool tensioning and the "d" shackle that holds the abs plastic and stainless steel pulley. you will find that if you do an internet search that all other downriggers consist of mainly plastic and trust me when you catch the bottom and snag you downrigger bomb the whole lot goes over the side. these were made because of that fact, The units also have a hole drilled into the back below the spool so you can attach a lanyard to if the need arrises. The units are now fully Powder Coated for durability. The unit is around 750mm long and 3 turns of the spool roughly equals 1 meter in drop of the weight. all you need to do is purchase a downdrigger weight ( bomb ) and a release clip and you can enjoy the benifits of deep water trolling.

Down Rigger Components

1. solid aluminum components

2. we use 80pound Danema or braid instead of Wire. the reason for the use of braid is because stainless steel wire tends to amitt a Humm when trolling which is known to scare the fish it also kinks and twists causing harm to your hands, 80pound braid will snap if you snag the bottom so it is cheeper to loose the weight than it is to damage or drag the whole unit over the side.

3. corrosion is kept to a minimum by limiting different steels in the unit all you need to do is hose it down after use and apply vaseline to the shaft every few months.

4. the units are supplied with the braid the spool, boom, D shackle and pulley, they are also rigged with an 80pound swivel for attaching your weight to.

Cheers

Roberta

[james1990]

I feel a new construction project coming on at school.

cheers james

[arpie]

Give it a go, Jame - I'd love to follow its construction!! Give us a lesson by lesson photo opportunity!

Cheers

Roberta

[dangles]

it even comes with a $20 cash back offer

[Dalucius]

Maybe make a quid or two.

That looks more like one I would be interested in.

[cflife]

Good old Ebay.

That fella that makes them sells a couple a week through ebay from $190 to $300 might pay to learn to weld