Question- planer board mast

[KillitandGrillit]

Does anyone happen to have a Big Jon planer board mast? I'm curious what the outside diamter of the mast is. Thanks!

Damian

[The Bait Shop Guy]

Just measured mine. The actual mast part is 1 1/2 inches. The reels are 8 1/2 inches.

[ghostrider]

I also have one and it is 1 1/2 inch.

[tomjohn]

I don't have one, but I'm going to use ghostriders mast. lol

[KillitandGrillit]

Thanks Chris!! Plotting some purchases...

[KillitandGrillit]

I decided not to buy a planer board mast, but to build my own. Heck, there's nothing to them really.

I bought a pair of new reels off Ebay for 50.00 shipped.

Then I bought a 4 foot chunk of aluminum for the mast for 20 dollars shipped (I only went 4 foot because it's going on the bow of the boat, which is a good foot or so elevated already).

I bought the mast mount from Big Jon for 27.00, and some nice pullies from Fleet Farm for 7 dollars.

So I'll have just a touch over 100.00 invested in the mast, and if everything goes right, it'll only take me an hour of my time. That's 100+ cheaper than buying it from Bert's or Big Jon.

I also built my own dual ski planers, I think it cost me about 45.00 in materials, 10 of which was "Safety orange" paint and clear coat.

I'll snap some pictures when I get 'er finished...just waiting on my mast piece to show up.

[springfield]

Chris have you ever tried or know anyone that tried using manual downriggers to run planer boards. I thought of trying it, it has the reel & I have two arms to extend them up higher so when in the upright position they would be very tall. I have a big set of the collapsible planer boards but haven’t used them yet. I thought maybe the wire would be too heavy to let the board go out, if so I have the cord on a spool. What do you think?

Mark

[The Bait Shop Guy]

I can't say I've ever heard of anyone doing that. I would think the stiffness of the wire would give you problems anytime there was slack in the line, causing a birds nest. It's not uncommon to have the releases and your fishing line get wrapped up around the towline. Wire would do a lot more damage to your fishing line than mono or braided towlines.

I think you'd be better off with a dedicated mast system, or two to three sets of inline boards.

[springfield]

Thanks Chris, I think you are right about that Bird Nest stuff! I hadnt thought of that what a mess it could be.

[KillitandGrillit]

Yup, I bought a 50 count of those releases off eBay already...got 'em for about 2 bucks each.

Good tip on the snubber. You say heavy-duty...how heavy duty is heavy duty?

[The Bait Shop Guy]

A standard snubber like you would use behind a dipsy diver will last about one season. I picked up some planer board snubbers by Warrior lures last year and was happy with them http://www.warriorlures.com/FishingTackle.aspx?t=2 They are MUCH heavier than their standard snubbers.

Be sure to put up some pics of your mast when it's done. I'm curious to see how it turns out.

[KillitandGrillit]

It turned out pretty good, if I do say so! I had a buddy help me with the machining- he built the top cap, polished up the aluminum, and knurled out the base to fit my 1.5" pipe (it turns out if you have a 1.5" OD pipe and a 1.5" OD base, they wont just slide together :P). I still have to put in the top set of eye bolts and pullies, but you get the general idea.


The boards:

Mast1:

Mast2:

Mast3:

[polarkraft1]

that is a mast of beauty. interested in makeing another?