[mofish]

Hi Guys,
I was wondering if anyone has a reccomendation for attaching planner boards to a center console with out a T-top.

As it stands now, I attach them to the bow rail. But they just don't sit high enough to keep the board line out of the water.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Polkster]

This has been posted before. Some guys rig up a pole to attach the planer board line to. I am sure if you search on here you could find the photos of the rig.

 

[Doggydaddy]

I have a big Jon planerboard mast with two reels & mount I used on my Hurricane before I sold the boat if your interested.

 

[rocksteady]

I have a big Jon planerboard mast with two reels & mount I used on my Hurricane before I sold the boat if your interested.

Pics please as I'm in the same boat . No pun intended. I have an old 17' Parker and can only mount to the bow rail .

 

[Doggydaddy]

Big Jon has pictures on their web site, I'll look in our picture files & see what I can find

 

[Salmo trutta]

I've seen the line go in the water and it was no big deal. Just as long as all your connections are stong enough, who cares if the line goes in the water. A bigger planner board might help too. I can't imagine a planner board mast would work too well with these big three board planners we use in the bay. They are too heavy and cause too much drag that it would brake the mast.

Francis... what do you do?

 

[Doggydaddy]

I've seen the line go in the water and it was no big deal. Just as long as all your connections are stong enough, who cares if the line goes in the water. A bigger planner board might help too. I can't imagine a planner board mast would work too well with these big three board planners we use in the bay. They are too heavy and cause too much drag that it would brake the mast.

Francis... what do you do?

The mast has no problem handling big planerboards, the height of the mast helps the releases slide down the line instead of just sitting in one spot on a level planerboard line.
We used it for two years without a problem.

 

[iFishMD]

http://www.fishusa.com/catalog_prod...152E65933}&i=EC23EF498E0A43BDB0A33062430FAEE4

 

[GScott]

Cabelas

The new Cabelas catalog has some Big Jon mast systems that are much shorter and mount directly to the gunwale.
At only 20" tall, I expect it will hold the weight / drag (assuming the gunwale is strong enough not to flex and it can be attached secuely)and it includes the line and reel.
I was looking in to them for my own boat and I hope they'll handle it because I intend to order a set.
If someone knows that they won't handle it, I hope you'll say so. They are'nt real expensive but I'd just as soon rather not purchase them if they won't work.

GScott

 

[iFishMD]

Could you install a zero degree rod holder in the gunwale of the boat and make a mast to put down in it?

 

[Doggydaddy]

Greg I also have two aluminum poles with pulleys on the end & small trailer winches I used on my WA but the wife couldn't reach the t top holders, they fit into rod holders, I'll post pictures of all three after the computer wiz gets home.

 

[Francis]

This is what works for me. They do drag in the water but it doesn't make too much of a difference.

rod holders

attachment

I have tried to rig up poles to get them higher but it scares me. I like keeping it simple.

 

[rocksteady]

Could you install a zero degree rod holder in the gunwaler of the boat and make a mast run to put down in it?

I was thinking the same thing .

 

[JALOPY]

I use a single mast, it is a steel water pipe I got a Home Depot. I screwed a flange to the floor of the boat, the pipe comes up through my cuddy window that I fitted with plywood and a single hole for the pipe. I drop the pipe through the hole and screw it into the floor of the boat. I run 2 3 board planers with 4 rods on either side. My rocket launcher is a 4'x6' presssure treated piece of lumber that lays accross the bow rails in front of my window.
I would think you could do something similar, just support the pipe to the bow rails with straps.
John

 

[27 sailfish]

The better three board planers put ALOT of stress and pull on a mast or hardtop.Whatever you rig up- be sure it is very strong.On a choppy day - the boards will pull even harder.

I've heard of bow rails that were only screwed on coming loose.The masts should have supports that anchor to the cleats.

A mast that fails will cause a huge mess - not to mention might hurt someone.

 

[rocksteady]

The better three board planers put ALOT of stress and pull on a mast or hardtop.Whatever you rig up- be sure it is very strong.On a choppy day - the boards will pull even harder.

I've heard of bow rails that were only screwed on coming loose.The masts should have supports that anchor to the cleats.

A mast that fails will cause a huge mess - not to mention might hurt someone.

That's what I'm worried about .

 

[Doggydaddy]

The better three board planers put ALOT of stress and pull on a mast or hardtop.Whatever you rig up- be sure it is very strong.On a choppy day - the boards will pull even harder.

I've heard of bow rails that were only screwed on coming loose.The masts should have supports that anchor to the cleats.

A mast that fails will cause a huge mess - not to mention might hurt someone.

The same can be said about hooking to a T Top but it works, I used the Big Jon mast for two years bolted to a 2x6 with a pin that fit the front seat hole. The mast is sturdy if it weren't they wouldn't sell them.

 

[27 sailfish]

Be careful using the planer gear designed for the Great Lakes.The boards they use are much lighter then ours plus they troll smaller lures/tackle at a slower speed - most times.It is not made for our heavy lures or hard pulling boards.

I know guys who have broken the heavy duty planer cord from Cabela's by towing my boards.The weedwacker cord widely used tests out around 500lbs or more.

 

[bring_em_on]

Be careful using the planer gear designed for the Great Lakes.The boards they use are much lighter then ours plus they troll smaller lures/tackle at a slower speed - most times.It is not made for our heavy lures or hard pulling boards.

I know guys who have broken the heavy duty planer cord from Cabela's by towing my boards.The weedwacker cord widely used tests out around 500lbs or more.

Yep, it's a bad day when that happens. Personally, I blame Skip. He makes the boards tooooo good!!

 

[reeltor]

I've been attaching mine to my front cleat in the same fashion as Francis for the last 5 years and have never had a reason to change. Like Francis mentioned they do drag in the water but the boards keep them tight enough and I've never had one flip.
KISS Technique with no T Top.

Forgot to mention, the boat moving forward keeps the clips moving back towards the planer so the line in the water isn't a problem as far as getting the lines in the right position.