August 28, 2006 - Outriggers for Sailboats?
by Scott & Wendy Bannerot

I just got a question about the advisability of adding outriggers to a sailboat, in this case a 460 Hunter, and my answer is: absolutely. Honestly, I wouldn't leave home without them. They're readily available, very easy to install, and they will sharply increase the fun, power, and versatility of your fishing efforts afloat. Our question comes from Dr. Dennis Brittain, a reader of our book The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing, who has already installed downriggers and other recommended fishing equipment...so he's already armed and dangerous. I can think of nary a reason not to go all the way.

We discuss this topic in several areas of the book, with diagrams showing the basic set-up on pages 66 and 67. An outrigger is simply a pole that deploys out laterally from the side of the vessel. This extension has a pulley or ring eye at the outboard end, a couple of eyelets along its length, and an associated pulley on a short section of elastic material that attaches to the hull just aft of the outrigger. A loop of 300-pound or so monofilament runs through this continuous circuit, and it has a release clip crimped to the middle of it. Thus by pulling the monofilament "circuit", one can pull the release clip in to the vessel, run a fishing line through the release clip, and then, while free-spooling line off of the fishing reel, run the release clip out to the end of the outrigger. Now your trolled fishing line is spread out away from the track of the vessel. When a fish bites, the release clip lets go of the line, it comes tight off the rod tip, hooks the fish, and you are in business. The main advantages of outriggers are that they allow you to spread out the baits and/or lures that you are trolling, they provide a drop-back which can improve hookup ratios depending on the offering, and they permit you to troll items at a higher angle, which makes some lures and baits work more enticingly along the sea surface.

I highly recommend that sailors purchase telescoping anodized aluminum outriggers. They are extremely handy to stow out of the way, they're very durable, and require little maintenance. Specifically, I would recommend purchasing 1 1/8-inch O.D. Tigress Telescoping Outriggers, length 15 feet, color black, price $319.95 per pair, order # C63-88904, page 76 in the 2006 Captain Harry's Fishing Supply catalog (1-800-327-4088 or www.CaptHarry.com), and out of the same catalog: Malin Complete Outrigger Kit (in color black, order # C66-10052, page 76, $39.50); a 2-pack of Rupps Outrigger Clip (order # C66-00023, page 75, $49.95); and two Lee's Rail Rod Holders (order # C85-50520, page 88, specify for 7/8" or 1" rails or stanchions [you can use sleeves to fit as needed, made of PVC or metal pipe half-rounds], $79.95 each). You will need crimps for 300 pound monofilament and a crimping tool for installing the outrigger clips in-line, but this is fishing equipment you need onboard anyway (see pages 84 and 85 of the catalog - I like double barrel sleeves in either copper or zinc, like order # C94-93199, and the Boone Heavy Duty Cutter and Crimper, order # C94-06001 is good value).

How to deploy trolling spreads that will not tangle from sharp boat turns or wind. Ripples indicate point of trolling-line entry into the water, which should always be aft of the next closest lure to the boat. (Illustrations from pages 66-67 Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing by Scott & Wendy Bannerot, published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill.)

So for the sailboat installation, we're using those clamp-on rod holders for our outrigger holders, and I highly recommend that you through-bolt these - just drill through the rod holder and outrigger near the base, and use a 1/4" hex head bolt with washers and a lock nut. Coat with Duralac to prevent galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel bolt and the aluminum outrigger. Be sure to add forestays (see page 66 of The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing) - simply rolling hitch some 1/4" to 3/8" line to the outrigger and lead it forward to the midships cleat and make fast under tension. This prevents the clamp-on rod holders from swiveling aft on those big strikes. The outriggers should be fixed at an angle of about 40 degrees above horizontal when fishing, by adjusting the angle of the clamp-on rod holder accordingly. Set the tension of the release clips so that the trolled lure or bait doesn't pull out on a big wave or surge, but will snap out under the tension of a bite. Please see Chapter 3 in The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing for all of the details you need on setting drags, sharpening hooks, rigging assorted lures for various target species, and other information that will maximize your chances of having fresh fish as often as you like for the table, not to mention epic adventures with some of the most magnificent creatures in the sea.