Cheers All,

While it might be fun to 'joke' about the home-made units one must always be careful to remember that these commercial units are expensive and not everyone can afford 'the brightest and the best.' My first downriggers were used ones (manuals) and I considered myself fortunate to have them as the alternative was never very pretty. If a 'garage' made unit was all that one could afford I would be the first one into such. And the pride of having 'done it with my own hands always is a consideration.

If you have been up to the Port Hardy - Telegraph Cove Area you will see a LOT of homemade units. In fact, hunting halibut one day, we had more homemade units around us than store bought ones. And, you know what, they schooled us in catching fish that day! And they were almost all hand powered so they were also getting more exercise than we were. Sigh...after this Christmas break that may be just the ticket to burn off some fo the extra lbs that snuck on during the festivities.

Bee Ess!!

I've fished that area more than most and while you do occasionally see an older mill worker/machinist with a homemade downrigger they are rare as popeshit.

These days most fishermen in that area are from other parts of BC or somewhere in WA even Oregon and they have all the toys.

Cheers Whalebreath,

I am only commenting on what I saw on my trips there. I stay at Alder Bay Resort (lots of room for my motorhome, great launch ramp, close to the action, cleaning station and lots of dock space which is very protected) and either fish in the few still open areas around there (I miss Stubbs Island as it was very productive if not preditory for gear) or visit friends from Telegraph Cove (Jim / Mary Borrowman own/operate Stubbs Island Whale Watching).

I will concede that on the days I fished there there may have been a machinist convention celebrating home produced units and that may have significantly skewed the numbers. I can only comment on my observations. Perhaps you may enlighten me as to what your observations were on the same days and in the same areas as when I was fishing there.

You are correct that over the past 20 years the incidence of Alberta and American anglers has increased as has the magnitude and significance of their vessels however, this is a truism, as it has occured all over BC. I have fished all over Vancouver Island (and the province) and have encountered more home built units in those waters than in all of the rest of BC combined. End of story.

PS Good to hear from you (been too long since we last spoke) and I wish you and yours a Happy New Year.

Lol

I meant my little "project" idea as a silly thought provoking thing.

At the basis a downrigger is a wheel, crank and an arm to hold the line away from the boat. All downriggers started as a concept. The better ones ended up getting sold and boom you have a new company. My design idea was based on how a baitcaster reel works, but bigger and could hold way more line. One person mentioned the issue with different metals and salt water, which is a valid point I hadn't thought about. But since it was mentioned I would keep that in mind if I were to build one.

In this thread we were talking about what downrigger was best and why. And what flaws we find with some downriggers. Maybe someone has worked out a way to modify their scotty or cannon to make it work better?

The "I Built it myself" factor has always been big for me and I know a lot of other people like that. And there's a whole market for that kind of thing in the car world and even jonboats are heading in that direction now.

Oh and my main question was, why are downriggers so expensive. I honestly don't know. I would assume the research that went into them and the brand name play a big part. The parts themselves are relatively cheap to obtain.

My view is from a complete newb to the boating world and in fact never used a downrigger. I got 2 the other night and have yet to try them out.

We'll see if I come back with all my fingers.

Good Luck with your downriggers!

I have had countless over the years and find they are invaluable when I need controlled depth fishing. When the electrics became available I thought I had died and gone to Heaven!

It will be interesting to talk with you in a year and explore your observations then but, IMHO, yours will be similar to almost everyone on here...they love 'em!

Again....Good Luck!

Has anybody used the new Scotty high perofrmance 2106, 2101, and 2116 models? Look interesting but what I like about Scotty is that they are simple and anyone can fix them. Hopefully the new models dont get too complex.

I believe that both cannon and scotty make a great product,however,for the money you can,t beat the new scotty hi performance,come on 600 bucks. The cannons are just too much money.Anyone who says they just want the best that MONEY can buy,meaning most expensive is best, is in my opinion just a SHOWBOATER who is not very well informed but has a nice shiny boat.There is a reason for shiny boats ,they are trailer queens and are usually only out on nice calm days.That is why they stay shiny.That,s great if thats what your into,but i will take the advice of an "old salty'over an internet angler anyday.Ss over and out.........