gungadin
Well-Known Member
Over the past couple of years, I have had two downrigger rod holders crack, with one snap and the rod going over the side. Always on the port side. I have attributed the breakage to the difference in the direction of force on the clamp assembly. On the starboard side the force when trolling seems to be forcing the clamp tighter into the adjustment grooves, while on the port side the force is actually pulling the two pieces and the grooves apart. The load is fairly evenly distributed on the starboard side but concentrated on the lower section of the clamp on the port. I have concluded that this is one of the contributing causes to the breakage.
In an effort to mitigate this condition, I have rotated the boom on the port side 180 degrees so that now the clamp is on the same side as the starboard side, both are now on the front side of the downrigger. I also rotated the line guide 180 degrees as well. This seems to work fine, but I may need to put another line guide on to stop line rub.
My only concern is that the boom extension clamp lightener is now facing downwards, not really a problem as I have used a lock nut to make sure the bolt doesn't back out. I would like to turn it 180 degrees so that it is back on top, but don't know how to remove it. How do you separate the sliding extension from the fixed section of the boom?
In an effort to mitigate this condition, I have rotated the boom on the port side 180 degrees so that now the clamp is on the same side as the starboard side, both are now on the front side of the downrigger. I also rotated the line guide 180 degrees as well. This seems to work fine, but I may need to put another line guide on to stop line rub.
My only concern is that the boom extension clamp lightener is now facing downwards, not really a problem as I have used a lock nut to make sure the bolt doesn't back out. I would like to turn it 180 degrees so that it is back on top, but don't know how to remove it. How do you separate the sliding extension from the fixed section of the boom?
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