Another Outrigger Question
 

I guess its just a poll but, I am going to replace my el-cheapo whatever they are brand on my boat real soon. I see John and Ed and a few others are all going with rupps,tacos, etc. My question concerning them is how well do the t-top mounted riggers actually work?? I like to pull double lines plus a teaser on each rigger. Will these do that easily??? I obviously dont know how the rigging arrangement up top goes either, would /could someone explain that to me and also how much stress it puts on your t-top. I have been considering them but I think Im going to go back to my gunnel mounted 18 ft Lee's. I had those on my previous boatr and really liked them. I kinda like the "classic" lines of the older style gunnel mounted riggers since I really dont see a whole lot of them around anymore. What do ye honerable and knowledgeable members of the board think???

Craig

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

hey Don, thanx for the reply!! In the picture it looks like they are attched to the pipeframe vrs the top??? I like Lee's stuff as well, I have so much stuff on my top though I am leaning more and more to the gunnel mount 18.5's.

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

craig,

How about the the TACO striker base. they are 90 degrees for t-top applications when in cruising mode they sit back like the expensive ones. and they do not fall when in trolling mode plus they are economical.It all depends how much you plan to spend.

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Craig
What about the ability to fish around them ?? Up on top they are out of the way. I like Lee's also .... but thats the one I've fished around most .... I was also thinking of the E-tec Sailfish but Don has me thinking now ....

Someday Don we will talk about some retro fits in my T-top.

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Miles... I sell and install Lee's, I have a set on my boat. I like the way the Lee's work, two positions in or out and they lock and won't slip like the Rupps do. I've replaced a few E-tec's that squeeked as the boat rocked and rolled and drove the owners half mad. As far as stress on your top goes it's not as bad as you may think. With the riggers laid back in a running position they don't whip very much. I like the riggers that give you the option of welding a support to the bottom of the base to help brace it in. I've used them as part of the leg on some tops and they worked great. When you rig them on a T-top you have 2 positions. Oneplace is where you clip the line when they are out in the fishing position and the other is when they are in the running position. I have Lee Swinders on my boat with the lay-down holders, you can see them in the pic.
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...02_SheilaB.jpg

[ November 12, 2003, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: PipeDreamsMarine ]

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Interesting topic. Has anyone seen or tried the new T-Top mounted riggers that crank out (gear controlled) from below? Not sure, but seem to recall they were made by Rupp?

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

I installed the new Taco Grand Slams in my hardtop last week and got to use them for the fist time the other day. In a nutshell they work really well. They are the ones you can swing out from underneath. I'm also using Taco telescoping poles and rigging. I have seen Rupp and Lee's but decided these were the best fit for my application. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them. I will try to shoot a couple of pictures and post them.

[ November 13, 2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: JohnB ]

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Man, Ill tell you what ,those babies are Expensive !!!! I looked at Taco.s,Lee's, Rupps and another brand today whos name escapes me at the moment. I like the issue about having to walk around the gunnel mounts, up top they are certainly out of the way. But I also like the ease with which it takes to deploy them. Now my top is kind of weird also in that it is a rag top front and back but solid in the center. Im fairly sure that it is a thin stainless that is somehow riveted to the aluminum frame [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] . It is probably only 1/8" thick or so??? Another thing I do like though about the black and gold taco's is that they will match my new color scheme to boot. Black bolster coamings, black top and encloseure. (Did I mention the fact that I just got a new heater??? Don, with the top mounted riggers do/can you run double lines??? That would eliminate my teaser reels but I can do without them anyways. I dont know, I have been looking hard on the internet and there are definitely lots to like but damn , you sure gotta fork over the dough to get em!!!

I support the "still undecided theory"

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Miles,

You're right those things are damn expensive. Look around for a used set. I picked up my 6 month old Taco Grand Slam mounts off of THT for $275 shipped. The deals are out there.

Don has them now and will be putting them on my new top for me.

Good luck.

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Brian, I think I will do as you suggest and wait on a used pair to turn up. Hell I can upgrade to a nice new furuno bottom machine for what the riggers cost new and they really dont get that much use.But that bottom machine will!(But they sure do look good!)

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Miles: Here is my experience and I would defer to Don Battin on this, but I looked at the Tacos and the Lee's and went with the Lee's. Very simple and very well made. However, you may want to consider that I went with the "bolt-ons" on my hard-top and I would NOT recommend that install. If I did it again I would go with a "weld-on" bracket because its a pretty big pole that gets rockin in a decent swell. I take mine off when the chunk bite starts. Also,if you happen to torque down too much on the mounting plates to keep them tight [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] , you'll cave the face of the hard top material and you can't fix that easily. [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Thanx Jeff, I was looking at the Lee's again yesterday (and today) and I think these are what I am going to go with.Like Don, I have always been fond of Lee's products and have never had the first problem with anything of theres. I have a sheet metal/stainless piece in the middle of my t-top that I mount everything on. There are a couple of supports also located there that I belive would support the weight with a nice backing plate. Still under review- thanx for the comments

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Top mount is the way to go for me. I installed the Top-Riggers which only swivel up or out. Added the 18' XX-heavy poles, have them double rigged in criss cross fashion.
On the chunk I don't like coming ff the ball and feel the riggers up top are out of my way. They are also not in my way for gaffing, not in my line of vision when running or anything else.
Sell your boat and buy mine, all done [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Another Outrigger Question
 

Hey guys.. Just one thing for all of you with molded tops.. Make sure you get the bottom brace weld in. If not your gonna flex your top to death. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Jeff I think your allready seeing this [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . Molded tops really need to have that lower bracing put in. Solid cored tops(plywood or glass) for the most part you can get way with out it but tops cored with Airtex, Dyvinacell or Balsa wood won't hold up. Jeff if you get time, Bring your boat down and I'll be more then happy to put the bracing in for maybe say two cases of Coors Light. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I'd hate to see that sweet top get messed up. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]