03-20-2007, 11:01 PM
I read the other thread and you received some good advice on there also. I would never consider a downrigger that did not have a functioning clutch on it. IMHO, it should be illegal to even sell one. If you hang up your downrigger ball, which trust me you will do this on several occasions, you can capsize a boat extremely quickly without a functioning clutch. I carry a large pair of pliers to allow me to cut the cable, just in case. Letting out 100' (or close to it) if one only has 100' of cable to start with, means even if one has a clutch on the downrigger it is of zero value, because one has already reached the end of the cable. With few exceptions, one should spend whatever it takes to get quality and safety in any equipment, especially equipment that is going on a boat.
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