Planer Boards

[Fried Fillets]

Last fall I bought a used Big Jon mast and home made boards. I used them for the first time on Sunday and thought the boards ran too far towards the back of the boat. I know I had them on the correct side because when I put the first one in the water it wanted to dive down, so I put it to the other side. I have a 17.5' boat and mounted the mast in the middle of my open bow. The lines off the mast quickly hit my rods when I start to make a turn. Would mounting the mast on the covered part of my bow help (very front of the boat) or should I try a different set of boards first?

[IRock]

It will only move the boards the same amount you move the mast. It's the planer boards that are dragging. If you use good commercial boards they are lighter and will run better. Wood boards are cheaper to build but I have not seen any that run near to parallel to the boat. Mine run fairly parallel and never behind me even when out there far.

[1fife]

how high is the mast?

how much line did you have out?

how big were the waves?

[Marcellus Bodi]

Hi,
If you have a Eye on the Board that you connect to and you can move it in it will help you boards to run better.You dont need new boards you need the eye in the right place.I will bet that the boards are also offset.If you need help call me at 419-698-1049 ask for Marc the Fisherman.

[Fried Fillets]

Jeff, the mast stands about 7' feet from the water. I would guess that I had the boards out about 50 feet. Chop on the water varied between 1 to 2 feet. The eye is not adjustable, the line snaps onto an eye-bolt. Thanks guys.

[Jethro]

Try "OTTER BOATS"
They run close to parallel as possible.
much better than any board that I've seen.

[1fife]

well 7 feet is pretty good and 50 feet is not much line out

so

i have no suggestions :)

[Big Shooter]

Without seeing them there could be 2 reasons they'er dragging back. First they could be the wrong kind off wood, ( they must be built out of redwood or cedar ) 2nd after prolonged use the sealant will wear off and the boards absorb water weight, or it could be they are'nt built with the proper offset angles. I'm on my second set of home made boards and would still be on the first set had I not lost one to a careless boater. They are light, plane almost straight out and handle rough water well. Good fishin!

[east bay ed]

my guess is that either your eye bolt is too far forward , or the angles on the board are not cut right. i would see about moving the eye bolts back on the boards. the farther back the line is attached the more it will pull out to the sides.