To your opinion, who makes the best dual planner board on the market? I want to purchase a pair and need some advise. Thanks!

Riviera

The Big John Otter Boats

Hi,
How are Otter Boards in rough water.

The Otter Boats handle the rough stuff better than any other boards I have used.These boards are everything that I could ask for.They track away from the boat great .I have fished with 8 lines off each side in 5 ft waves with no problems.
Erie Guy

Do the Otter boats fold down for storage. If I'm not mistaken, they have a keel on the bottom. Is that attached perminent?

I don't like the Otter Boats--they track too well through the water. Here's what I use...

http://www.friskyjennyflies.com/trolling-boards.html

I've used them in swells up to 6' with good results. Their jerk-and-pause motion really stimulates the bites.

I just checked the frisky jenny boards. They don't appear to be collapsible.

I make my own boards for about $20 in materials and just a couple of hours of my time.

Erie Guy,
Have you modified the Otter Boats at all? I have a set that I gave to a friend to try - I didn't care for them when I ran them a while back. I've heard of several people that really like them and may give them a try again this spring. How is your boat/mast set up? High mast up front , masts on top of hardtop???
I've run 5 lines a side off boards before but can't picture how I'd run 8 lines per side. There's times in the spring I'd like to be able to.
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com

Rich,
The keel can easily be removed for storage. Attached by two "wing nuts"
Steve

Steve, I use the Boats just like they come out of the box.The top post I must have fat fingered the keys .It should be 6 rods off each side.I played around with the rope and must must have found the right place for the knot.I have a friend that uses them also and he did not like his the first few times out either.When you try them again make sure you try a couple different areas on the rope that attaches to your mast lines.It will change the way the board runs. I run the Big John Mast mounted as a far forward as I could get on my 30fter.So far so good.
Erie Guy

Erie Guy,
Thanks for the response. I can see running 6 a side. The set I had - I bought used and it had the knot/loop basically in the middle of the rope. I'm guessing that moving the attachment point farther forward may be the ticket? Do you adjust where you attach based on the conditions or have you just found "the right spot" and leave it there?
Thanks again,
Steve

Steve, I have the planer line attached towards the front of the board.I have not touched it since I found the sweet spot there.
Erie Guy

You'll make the best Rich G. Make your own duel boards. Like Brad said $20.00 for the pair and a few hours. As for durability, I made mine in 1984. Mine are red wood but cedar lasts forever also. Their simple to make and its more fun when you catch a fish on yours. I would advise buying a mast rather than making one. I saw a 6'Big John mast in Sept. at a garage sale for $20.00. Try ebay.
><<<<<*> Looney Tunes

I was thinking about making my own Looney Tunes, buy I can'y find any red wood in my area.(South east Mich.) Will Cedar hold up as good because I think it's a softer wood? Would pine work if it's sealed well enough? I had a set made out of red wood that I sold with my old boat and now I wish I would of kept them. They worked great! If anyone knows where I can get some 1x8 red wood out there, let me know! Rg111452@aol.com

Do you know where to get the instructions for making collapsible planer boards? I've seen instructions on the internet for non-collapsible boards, but these non-collapsible boards take up too much room for my boat.

Ceder will work fine. Your going to paint it anyways, because your going to want to make them flourscent orange or red. I would look around because red wood should be available. Home improvement stores sell it for bathrooms and showers, home made sauna's.
I know guys who use pine and it works also, just seal it.
FrankT
I made a pair of folding boards out of regular hinges. If you can braze or weld, you can do it. Or for a couple of bucks or dozen dougnuts a high school will do it.
><<<<<*> Looney Tunes

Thanks Jim!

Do you weld cross members to the hinges? If so, how do you lock the board in place when you're using it?

Hi,
I have a set of boards that fold up that I made from Poplar and they run great.Anyone that want a Drawing E-Mail me at snagged43@yahoo.com