How to Install an Outrigger

Boats are used three ways by fisherman to catch fish: anchored fishing (when the boat is anchored and remains in one area); drift fishing (when the boat's motor is turned off or set to idle and the boat is carried on the surface by the waves); and trolling (which allows bait hooked to fishing poles to be trailed behind the boat while it moves slowly through the water). Fisherman can use multiple fishing lines on their boat when trolling by setting up outriggers, which aid in keeping the lines untangled. Outriggers can be installed on your boat with an electric drill, hole saw attachment and outrigger kit.

Things You'll Need

  • Outrigger kit
  • Electric or battery-powered drill
  • Hole saw attachment
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain an outrigger kit for each outrigger you wish to install on your boat from a brick-and-mortar or online marine supply store.

    • 2

      Determine the size of the hole that you will need to cut for the outrigger by checking the outrigger kit's specifications. Attach the appropriate hole saw attachment to an electric or battery-powered drill.

    • 3

      Use a permanent marker to mark the place on your boat's hardtop roof where you will cut the hole for the outrigger kit.

    • 4

      Cut the hole for the outrigger where you made the mark using the hole saw attachment.

    • 5

      Insert the outrigger's base mount through the hole and attach it using the supplied clamp applied underneath the mount. If you are attaching more than one outrigger to your boat, install them at least seven inches from each other to allow for full rotation when fishing.

    • 6

      Add all remaining clips to the outrigger mount on the upper side of the boat's roof. Verify that the outrigger is able to move smoothly in a 360-degree motion.

    • 7

      Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for any additional outriggers you wish to install.