Running with Collapsible Outriggers

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Hey Guys:
I finally did it. I bought some 15 foot Taco collapsible outriggers and I am using their Grand Slam 170 mounts. I installed them to my hardtop with their backing plates and so forth. I have a question. When running out to the where ever to fish, can I run with the outriggers extended toward the stern of the boat and not stress either the mounts or the poles themselves or should I run to where I want to fish and then install them to their bases and start fishing then? I would like to extend them and set them up in port pointed aft rather than fuss with them in 2 to 4 swells, but if they are not really designed to run them aft, I would like to know that too. I know not to run with them extended out to the sides of the boat. Thanks.

 

[ocnslr]

Taco says the riggers should be collapsed when running.

Our 15-ft heavy duty Taco outriggers have been on the boat for 12 years, with thousands of miles of running, much in very snotty (or worse) conditions, and always fully extended.

Three points:
1. Are yours the larger diameter heavy duty poles, or the regular poles?
2. I keep tension on the rigger lines (double rigged), so the poles have a slight downward bend. This keeps them more stable and reduces whipping.
3. We have a custom hardtop with very strong welded mounting plates. I installed the bases myself and used compression sleeves (spacers) to keep the hardtop from crushing. If your mountings are less robust then the poles may be fine but your hardtop might not stand up to the loading.

Brian

 

[beachbum]

i have run with my taco extended for years but they are 1.5" diameter- not sure how the 1 1/8' would hold up

maybe post this on Thehulltruth.com

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

These are the 1 1/8 poles. I think I will run with them tucked away and troll only with them. I suspect my hard top may not like it. I used their backing plates and not the set up with compression washers and all. I appreciate your input.