Outriggers

[Whalecod]

Was looking for some input on outriggers. I have a 23' walkaround with a hardtop. What do you guys think of the performance of outrigger that are mounted on the hardtop as opposed to being mounted right on the gunnel. Obvioulsy on the hardtop they would be about 5' higher but my hardtop is a bit flimsy and I really dont want to put any extra stress on them. So do you guys think they work equally as well when mounted on the gunnels?

[thefishingfreak]

i had gunnel mounts on my 22' walkarround they work fine. good thing is they will go super low to the water for bass trolling or up high for tuna. not as high as hardtop mounts but they'll work.
the bad thing is there goes the "walkarround" part of a walkarround because working arround them is tricky. but big fish i usually fight off the back anyways, and going up to the bow is for anchoring or pissing.
you might look into having a fabricator shure up the top if you affraid of it busting welds.

[Uncle Matt]

Definately get some support if you go with the hard top outriggers. I installed the new Rupp Z30 Top Guns this seasons just for tuna. They work great but they were not cheap.

[taJon]

Probably not very expensive to put on extra supports. I'd put em up top. I'll be doing the same thing in the spring.

[danno1]

Just installed Taco Sport Slams on my hard top. I had to have a welder put in an extra 1/4 inch plate, and add a piece of pipe under to hold the plate.
The BAD thing on doing it was, I had to remove the fiberglass hard top that was glued to the frame, so the welder could get to the top of the plate, and also not burn the top.
PITA to remove the top, and wiring for light, and antennas.