Downrigger mounting

[BGunn]

I have a new Lund 1650 explorer ss, and there isn't much of an area to mount downriggers on the back corners. How do you guys mount them, when you are so restricted with space. I don't want to mount a board across the back, because it would interfere with running the kicker. I want something solid, so if the ball was to get snagged, or with the bouncing in rough water, it wouldn't rip off the boat. I wanted to mount them on removeable mounts in the back corners if possible.
Also, I was looking at the Cannon Easi-Troll, and the Sport Troll. Is the Easi-Troll worth the extra $100.00/set to get the ball another 6" away from the boat? I wouldn't be using these downriggers all the time, but I don't want to be trying to save a few bucks now, and be unhappy later. Have you found a different make of downrigger to be any better,(Manual type)?
Thanks for any info,
Bill

[cisco]

The Easy-troll is worth it. I was spoiled after using 4 Walker electrics on my Lake Michigan boat for years. Moved, sold that boat, bought an 18ft walk-thru w 90 Merc & 9.9 Merc kicker.

However, I did want the board -- so, I had 4 ft hand rails mounted on both sides, added bases for 4 Setzer rod holders, and built a board with Cannon swivel mount downriggers on both corners. The board also serves as a convenient spot for tray to hold side cutters, long-nose pliers, spoons, plugs, etc. The Cannons each have a rod holder, but I also have three other rod holders across the back on the board. The kicker can still be run by connecting to the 90 for steering -- it is too awkward to try tiller running, but it can be done. Extender tillers are also a bit awkward, altho easier than using the short tiller.

I went with the board because I still make several L Mich outings per year, and the big motor will troll down slow enuf for trout and salmon. The kicker is primarily backup when on the big pond.

[solarfisher00]

Bgunn,
Go with the easy-trolls. The real difference between the sport-troll and the easy-troll is the linecounter. The linounter on the sport-troll is mounted on the pulley while on the easy-troll it is next to the linespool and the crank. The pulley linecounters are hard to read and are not accurate. The easy-trolls are great downriggers, you will be very happy with them. As for mounting you might have enough room to mount flush mounted rod holders. Cabelas makes a mount for downriggers that will fit in a flush mounted rod holder. Ive seen this done and it seems pretty strong. I know there are a couple people around here that have this setup so hopefully they will comment. If not this has been discussed before so search the archives. Good luck on your rigging.

Solarfisher00