How to Extend a Scotty Downrigger Power Cable

The Scotty Co. has been making downriggers for deep-sea fishing since 1973. In manual or electric, the devices are mounted to either side of a boat 's stern and used by fishermen while trolling through fish-dense waters--a method that maintains a hook at a certain depth by clipping it to a second line with a weight. If your Scotty Downrigger power cable isn't long enough to reach your boat's battery, though, it won't be good for anything. Luckily, the problem isn't difficult to solve. You'll be using your new toy in no time.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire strippers
  • Measuring tape
  • Wiring (12 gauge for less than 12 1/2 feet between stern and battery; 10 gauge for more than 12 1/2 feet) with compatible connectors
  • Two clamp connectors
  • Electrical tape
  • Wire ties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove your boat from the water on its trailer.

    • 2

      Disconnect first the negative, then the positive lead to your battery with an adjustable wrench.

    • 3

      Run the two wires from your Scotty Downrigger's power receptacle as far as they can go to the battery, using wire ties to connect them along the way to other cables.

    • 4

      Run two strands of new wiring the rest of the way to your battery. Cut them both with about 1 foot of slack.

    • 5

      Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the four ends of new wire. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the two original power cables also--one negative, the other positive.

    • 6

      Insert the ends of your original cabling into two male wire connectors. Crimp the connectors down and wrap the ends of the connectors with electrical tape. Insert the two corresponding ends of your new cable into two female wire connectors. Crimp the connectors down and wrap the ends with tape. Insert the two male connectors into the female connectors.

    • 7

      Insert the remaining two wire ends at your battery into clamp connectors and crimp down the connections. Use electrical tape to seal the connection.

    • 8

      Clamp the wire leading from the positive port of the Downrigger power receptacle to the bottom of the positive lead on your 12-volt battery. Clamp the negative clamp to the negative post of the battery.

    • 9

      Replace the positive, then negative leads to your battery, and plug your Scotty Downrigger into its power receptacle.