Any mechanical engineers, metallurgists, or metal fabricators on NCKA?

The only thing that sucks about the Scotty mini down-rigger is that it comes with the ss wire. I don't know if I was doing anything wrong but man that cable vibrated like crazy. So then I had to go buy the spectra which ain't cheap and effectively raised the cost of the whole deal to over a hundred bucks. I haven't used it again since I got the spectra but I guess it's not supposed to vibrate now. jim

The only thing that sucks about the Scotty mini down-rigger is that it comes with the ss wire. I don't know if I was doing anything wrong but man that cable vibrated like crazy. So then I had to go buy the spectra which ain't cheap and effectively raised the cost of the whole deal to over a hundred bucks. I haven't used it again since I got the spectra but I guess it's not supposed to vibrate now. jim

I was lucky,and had won a 75 yard demo spool of 50 lb spectra at a Fishermans Warehouse seminar

Fishing-Jay and Greggers - keep in mind that there is more than just weight (which is also compensated to some extent by the displacement of water) hanging from the arm.  There is also drag. I'm not sure what the number is, but with a 2 lb fish weight dangling right off the gunwale of my T160, I had to compensate with slightly stronger paddle strokes to that side. This with only 20 feet of line out (for testing)  A 5 lb ball is going to drag SIGNIFICANTLY more than a 2 lb fish weight, especially at the end of 150-200 feet of line/cable. Still, you should be under 10 lbs total force. Now who wants to talk about fatigue life

Online metals sells normalized SS products. Trust me, I've ordered 17-4 from them. You will not be getting SS or 4130 with yields in the 140ksi range. You'll need to heat treat in order to get that.

Scott

Unless your time is worth very little why not just  buy the scotty mini downrigger made for small aluminum boats or canoes and adapt it to the yak?

I think they are maybe about $ 75  bucks or something like that. They come with a stainless cable and a stainless boom as well as a working drag and crank to retrive the weight.

-Eliot

The scotty is way bigger than I want, and it doesn't give a very accurate measure of depth. I also would be replacing the cable w/spectra, which jacks up the cost too. Besides, I like making my own stuff.

Fishing-Jay and Greggers - keep in mind that there is more than just weight (which is also compensated to some extent by the displacement of water) hanging from the arm.  There is also drag. I'm not sure what the number is, but with a 2 lb fish weight dangling right off the gunwale of my T160, I had to compensate with slightly stronger paddle strokes to that side. This with only 20 feet of line out (for testing)  A 5 lb ball is going to drag SIGNIFICANTLY more than a 2 lb fish weight, especially at the end of 150-200 feet of line/cable. Still, you should be under 10 lbs total force. Now who wants to talk about fatigue life

Online metals sells normalized SS products. Trust me, I've ordered 17-4 from them. You will not be getting SS or 4130 with yields in the 140ksi range. You'll need to heat treat in order to get that.

Scott

My strategy right now is to see if I can't find an old fishing rod for cheap at one of the local pawn shops. If that doesn't work out then I plan on going the 4130 route. I am not going to worry about heat treating since it appears the loads I am working with are well within the range without heat treatment.

As far as having to work harder to paddle goes, I am working on getting the DR as close to the edge of my boat as possible, and plan on using spectra. I intend to experiment with various weights and depths to figure out what I am comfortable with. Maybe the 90' deep fish are out of my range, but I won't know for sure until I try. 

Jay I have an old broomstick rod that I dont use anymore. Cheap and its yours. Free. I will ship it to you free also. I have tubes . There are tons of the old deep sea fishing rods around my area that no one uses anymore. Want it? I could find 3 or 4 more too. Let me know.

Jay I have an old broomstick rod that I dont use anymore. Cheap and its yours. Free. I will ship it to you free also. I have tubes . There are tons of the old deep sea fishing rods around my area that no one uses anymore. Want it? I could find 3 or 4 more too. Let me know.

Sure, I'll take it. Thanks Craig! 
I plan on cutting it down to a 2' length, attaching a rod tip and a reel seat, so the stiffer the better. I'll PM you my address.

Nice offer Craig! Free is the best price of all! It will be cool to see what you come up with Jay. Post some pictures up when you get done with it.

-Eliot