Taco outriggers - Top notch!!

[MolarBoater]

I installed the "Sport Slam" package a few years ago and then the package included two aluminum plates, brackets to clamp the plates onto the t-top tubes and top mounted outrigger pole holders as well as the outriggers along with rigging. It was a good deal back then and they still work great.

I did find some outrigger holders which come in handy to keep the outrigger poles from banging against the t-top and use marine grade small white bungees to keep the poles from extending.

Enjoy and catch more fish with a better spread.

[BeeReel]

Anyone have the Taco 270 outriggers (15', 1 1/2") installed on a 215 TE? Are the mounting plates on the T-top compatible with this new version. I've seen others used the Taco 250's? Does anyone know the differences between the 250 and 270's?

[Gator]

All I know is I"m jealous. I fish out of Wrightsville Beach, NC off shore and would love to have some outriggers. Just don't want to fork out the $1,000 +........I just installed trim tabs...I think that's my investment for the year, plus 1 more downrigger to come.

Tylerdan, how much and where did you buy your outriggers?
Gator

[BeeReel]

Gator,

I just ordered the GS-270 kit (new 270 mounts, 15' x 1 1/2 poles, rigging kit, $1250) from ebay:

Eastern Marine 931 S. Chapel St. Newark, DE 19713 Phone: 302-453-8077 Fax: 302-453-8078 Email: auctions@easternmarine.com

My T-top came with the Taco plate pre-installed and from reading the 250/270 have the same mount configuration.

[MolarBoater]

Gator, I started out with an outrigger setup that was less than $100. I ordered the fiberglass outriggers with clips on the ends and a couple of clamp on rod holders. Use foam noodle material to fit the outriggers in the rod holders.
Worked really well but just a little more effort involved working them.
Molar

[BeeReel]

Taco Grand Slam (270/250) installation assistance:

The GS-270/15' x1.5" poles just arrived and seems to be a very nice product. Now I need some help in trying to install on a Triumph 215 TE which comes with "Taco ready" installation plates pre-welded on the soft T-top.

The plates are 2 sheets of metal with about a 1/2" gap between the plates. Only the upper plate has pre-drilled holes for the mounting nuts/bolts. I see that Taco provides nuts/bolts for such installation and can not figure how someone is to get a nut onto the bolt due to both there being only 1/2" gap between the plates to do so and more importantly once the 270 is lowered through the 3 inch hole there is no longer access to the space between the 2 metal plates.

Suggestions welcomed.

As I can visually imagine there are only 2 options:
1) the upper plate holes are actually threaded and no longer require a nut to secure 270 to the metal plate (don't think this is structurally as sound as with a locking nut) OR
2) I need to drill also through the bottom metal plate, get longer bolts so that the nut and bolt now reach all the way through the 270 base, upper plate, 1/2 gap, and lower plate.

What am I missing,
PRBUZZ

PS I also sent this to Hank @Taco and awaiting his reply.

[Lucky]

Another option is to drill large enough holes in the bottom plate to serve as the access you need to put the nuts on the through bolts. Make them just a touch larger than the deep socket you'll use. Drill a guide hole from above, using the existing factory holes, to ensure proper placement. Then enlarge the holes (from below) to suit your need.

End result will be cleaner since you won't have the bolts and nuts hanging down in view.

I don't think you want to have the nuts back to the bottom plate (as in your option #2)... this will result in more flex and movement since there is nothing backing that plate. With the nuts against the upper plate, there will be less flex and movement.

BTW, I would use red loctite and double nuts to ensure things don't come apart out on open water.

[BeeReel]

Lucky,
I had also considered something like what you described but didn't post that option. However for mounting plates that are factory-installated by Triumph as "Taco Ready" this seems like a little more work than expected.

If I really have to do that level of work and cutting, another option (if lucky) would be 1) to cut small holes the sixe of the bolts in the lower plate and 2) to insert spacers between the plates through which the bolts passed, and 3) run longer bolts through the upper plate:spacer:lower plate and attach nuts on bottom. I should be able to keep aligned the 4 spacers while installing the Taco mount?


This method of installation would surely give the strongest mount.

PRBUZZ

[Jim Jenkins]

Merritt Marine installed the TACO outriggers on my 195 CC. The Triumph T-Top was not outrigger ready but Carl and Chad made the system work. Took some welding and drilling. Factory said, "Who would want outriggers on a 195?" May not be an exact quote but close.

Now using the outrigger cord as furnished with the system. Would like to change out to Black Mono. Question. The black cord has a neat tension slide to adjust the length. How do you adjust the length (tension) when using mono outrigger lines?

If I can ever figure out how to post pictures, I will be very proud to share photos of the 195.

[NCangler]

There is a tutorial on attaching photos to posts or uploading them to our Photos gallery, located here:
Triumphowners Tutorials - Triumph Boat Owners Network

Originally Posted by Jim Jenkins

If I can ever figure out how to post pictures, I will be very proud to share photos of the 195.