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Outrigger Input Please

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by DOCKMASTER, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:49 AM.

  1. DOCKMASTER, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:49 AM
    #1
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Location:
    Ketchikan, Alaska
    My 54' Sportfish had Rupp triple spreader outriggers on it when I bought it back in 2012. I moved the boat to Alaska and took the riggers off as they wouldn't be used there. Like a dumbazz, I didn't keep them as I thought the boat would stay in Alaska forever. Well, now I'm moving the boat to Mexico and will need riggers for fishing there. I have a quote from Rupp for two different mounting style systems.

    1- I can go with 41' triple spreader tournament riggers and re-use the original mounting locations and pads. This makes installation easy I retained the original mounts on the boat. This also gives the widest spread and most flexibility for fishing. The only issue is the mounting locations are lower and do impede a bit on the already narrow walkway going from the cockpit to the bow.

    2- I can go with a shorter 34' double spreader system that mounts higher on the side of the bridge. This gets the poles up and out of the walkway but then I get less overall spread and fishing flexibility. And I have to do more mounting work and more holes in the boat.

    I do access the bow area to for the bow mooring line, launch and retrieving the tender and for anchoring. But the lower mounted riggers isn't that big of an issue to get past.

    I could also go with a little shorter 27' riggers and mount them on top of the hardtop with controls underneath. But I've had several folks recommend against these for my boat. They said the set-up and rigging path to the cockpit isn't very good and the controls on the underside of the hard top are a head knocker. I'm 6'5" so I certainly don't any more head knockers on the boat.

    I'm leaning toward the bigger 41' riggers using the original mounting locations. Any and all input and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Order the larger riggers.
    You and your kids can wiggle around them if needed. Maybe install some nice hand grab rails also.

    How is your for deck hatch accessed?
    I've typed about this before; I have witnessed some serious work & mods up here that even my grandmother could hike thru the boat forward, a few steps up and service the bow lines with out crawling around the deck house.
  3. DOCKMASTER, Jul 31, 2025 at 12:26 PM
    #3
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    There is a good hand grab already that runs the length of the salon windows. I also installed additional hand grabs on the front corners of the house long ago

    The access hatch is only good for emergency egress and ventilation. It's not difficult to get in/out of but you have to do it getting on/off the master berth so not idle for regular use.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  4. Capt J, Aug 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I'd go with the longer riggers, you can always pop out of the bow hatch if you need to.
  5. incoming, Aug 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
    #5
    incoming

    incoming Active Member

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    On 3 different boats I’ve only found the larger, lower mounted riggers to be a problem if I’m trying to carry something heavy between the cockpit and bow. Otherwise, they are quite easy to step around and although you aren’t really “supposed” to I will grab the base of the rigger as a handhold if I really need to. If you need outriggers for your fishing style you’ll appreciate the larger spread more than you’ll be annoyed by them being in the way.
  6. SplashFl, Aug 2, 2025 at 9:47 AM
    #6
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    triple spreader tournament riggers and re-use the original mounting locations and pads
    Another vote for the longer ones so you can use EXISTING mounts.