need advice???

[bazrfc]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hey,
ive had a friend offer me a 1995 zodiac yl420 DL for pretty cheap. right now i have a 1960s glaspar with a 50hp motor, im trying to decide if i want to switch.
\im using the glasspar for mainly salmon fishing in pretty sheltered waters, im wondering if i can install a set of downriggers and a kicker to these type of boats.
could you troll ??
it will be garage kept with a cover.
please any advice would be great?





http://www.iboats.com/Zodiac_Boats_y...dl/nb/moi96131

 

[bazrfc]

Re: need advice???

any one????

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: need advice???

I am sure you could figure out a way to do it. Might have to attach a board with some angled risers to the transom or something. Just make sure it is attatched to something solid.

I am not sure how well that boat would be suited for fighting salmon. I know I like to stand up and move with the fish. I don't think those smaller zodiacs are designed to be walked around too much.

Personally, if your boat is the one pictured beside your name then I think what you have now is a better salmon fishing boat. It is always nice to get a newer boat especially at a great price. But like you are already thinking, it is not suited for your type of fishing. It will work but I suspect it might get crowded with the downriggers, nets tackle etc. and you will have trouble mounting downriggers effectively. It would suck to have to be facing forward driving that boat and constantly looking right behind you to watch the rods. Perhaps if you could find a way to mount them in front of the helm. Just watch your lines in the motor when you turn sharply.

 

[bazrfc]

Re: need advice???

thanks very much for some insight, the boat i have not is slowly rotting away, the transom i can poke holes through. the 2*4s that run along each side are sodden.
I could use a newish boat for just the fear factor of the engine falling off.
My buddy is wanting a grand for the boat,trailer and the steering. If i can find a way to mount the d/rigger and mabe use a kicker mount then id be laughing cause the glasspar is a ***** to walk around aswell.
even if i cant get it all to work im sure i could sell it and try something else
anybody else got anymore thoughts?????

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: need advice???

Check out this link, It is the same boat but under the description it says it has custom downrigger brackets on it. http://www.victorialodging.com/zodiac/index.html

Here is another one, 1995 too. Look at the top view picture closely and you can see the downrigger mounting bar going across the boat. http://www.boatsville.com/used_boats_detail.cfm?boatid=41939

A few more pics of zodiacs with downriggers,

http://www.allinflatables.com/shopping/tarpon/pics/action/action2.jpg
http://www.allinflatables.com/shopping/tarpon/pics/mainpic2.jpg

I guess it is possible then

I don't like how the riggers are mounted in the second set of pictures. I would go with the mounting bar method shown in the first pictures. I have used a 2x6 pressure treated board running a cross a 14' aluminum boat for years. It worked great, had two riggers mounted on it, two rod holders, and a fish finder. Also the price is cheap and it can be painted any colour you want. Just have to find a way to mount it to the zodiac.

I troll with a 50HP for salmon, but my boat is larger than the zodiac. You might be able to use a trolling plate to get your trolling speed down with the 50 on the zodiac. So you may not have to mount a kicker.

The zodiacs are nice looking boats. I have always liked them. I see a guy out in Lake Ontario using one for Salmon but he uses dipsey divers instead of downriggers. I believe he has a 40HP 4 stroke he trolls with. It sounds like your current boat might cost more than a $1000 to get it right. The Zodiac might work out good.

 

[bazrfc]

Re: need advice???

oh my god, i had a dream last night of where to mount the downriggers and the first picture was exactly the same as my dream.. thanks soo soo much for doing all the searching/downloading and posting the links, ive called my friend and he says he will bring theb oat over from vancouver the next time he has time....
more sleepless night till it gets here i guess>>
im going to wait till i see the boat before i buy a kicker mount, i hope theres enough room on he transom for it?
thanks again

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: need advice???

No Problem, guys have went out of their way on this forum to help me out. Just trying to return the favor whenever I can.

 

[bazrfc]

Re: need advice???

ill get some pics up when i get the boat in the drive way.
looking forward to it!!!!!