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Along with my other post of figuring out an appropriate mount for a center rigger, I'm considering replacing my 18' Taco telescoping riggers with fixed length models. I'd like to be able to put double lines on each and I dont feel the Tacos are strong enough to handle that load.
I've been looking around the net and the only replacement I can find is by Rupp in the 18' length, but they dont give the diameter. I need the 1 1/2", and am hoping that the rupps will work fine in the Taco Grand Slam bases. Anyone have knowledge on this?
Eye, I run doubles off of my Taco 18's. I just go to the second eye with my inside halyard, this gives me a good six line spread. Just my thoughts. The Hun
__________________ Sleep when you are dead...............the Wahoo are coming.
Lee's 16 foot extra strong poles part number 3716xs fit the taco bases without a problem or modification. They are much stiffer and I have them double rigged and have no problems. I had the 18 tacos and cracked one pole in one season. Plus you can get the center rigger to match with a base for a smaller boat.
Do not worry about the measurements that lee gives in the description as they include the bases OD not the pole. Even though it says 1 3/4 the poles are 1 1/2. The 3916xs poles are stated at 1 5/8 and they will not fit. I spent some time in consumers marine in wall NJ and kinda pissed off the salesman by opening the packages to find the right ones.
You can call Lee's and they will tell you what fits what.
This page shows the center rigger poles and bases. I am getting the 45 degree base and the 12 foot poles as they are at the same angle as the outriggers on my hardtop. http://www.tackletogo.com/letaceribapo.html
I thought originally about using two lines on these collapsible poles but the huge amount of flex I see in them leads me to not trust it. Plus, my starboard pole has a huge bend in it now either from running with them out or a release clip set too tight.
I like the look of the Lee's, but I was hoping that I could get an 18' fixed. Rupp makes it, I just dont know if the mounts are the same for the base.
Perfect! thanks, and even cheaper than the Rupps. So I should get a much stronger pole out of this rather than the collsapsible? I really hate how much the Tacos flex
I hated how the tacos flexed. I went from the 18 foot tacos to the 16 foot lees and they are much stiffer. Its like apples to oranges. The other benifit is the poles bolt together and if you bend one there is no sending it back just call lee's and they will send the section you need. They really look so much better as well. Plus you can get the center rigger to match.
If you have the adjustable angle taco bases (I have the fixed) You can fit the lee's and just drill the hole and put in a clevis pin to retain the poles. On the fixed there is no need as they can't fall out
I have the grand slam bases that have adjustable angles. I'll need to be able to take them off for dry storage, so is drilling the hole necessary? Or is the hole necessary just to have them sit in the base and work? I certainly appreciate all your help on this.
I just got back from West Marine and took a look at the 15' Tigress models they have in stock. Wish the guy would have let me assemble them and test the rigidity. They want 399 for a set of 18', but for that price I may stick with Lees or Rupp. I really cant see them being all that much stiffer just because the construction looks basically the same as a telescoping, but I'll take your word for it.
The poles fit into one another and then are secured with a bolt. They overlap, plus they are thicker alumnium than the tacos. I cant say anything about the tigress as I have never seen a pair.
The hole would be drilled in the outrigger pole after you install them. Right in the same spot as the hole you have in your bases so if you lower them to an angle low enough they would not fly out. I think the tacos click in your bases but cause I have the fixed bases with no angle adjustments I do not remember what holds the poles in the adj bases.
Yep I have the clickers. I see what you mean now-the Taco base has the holes right, but I'll have to go through the Lees in order to get them to hold. Gotcha. Looks like I'll purchase a set based on your recommendation. Hows the bend in these when out and under load from one or two baits in the water? I'm attaching a couple of pics I found of mine under load. Not too pretty.
Starboard (try to look at the rigger, I know theres a blonde in the way)
Port
I'm also putting pad eyes on the gunnel instead. Hopefully that will help as well
Guys,
I have a brand new in the box never used set of Lee's 3916xs that came with my new boat. I was considering trying to trade them in or sell them to go to Lee's telescoping that will fit my sidewinders. Am I hearing correctly that you guys are not happy with telescoping? My trolling would be low speed South Florida for Dolphin or slow trolling live baits. I was considering the switch just for the convience of collapsing them. Is this a bad idea? Should I stick with what I have.
Yep I have the clickers.* I see what you mean now-the Taco base has the holes right, but I'll have to go through the Lees in order to get them to hold.* Gotcha.* Looks like I'll purchase a set based on your recommendation.* Hows the bend in these when out and under load from one or two baits in the water?* I'm attaching a couple of pics I found of mine under load.* Not too pretty.
Starboard (try to look at the rigger, I know theres a blonde in the way)
*
Port
*
I'm also putting pad eyes on the gunnel instead.* Hopefully that will help as well
What are you running on those outriggers? Maybe it is an illusion from the angle of the picture, but I have never seen an outrigger pole bend like that while trolling. I have the Taco 15' ers and mine don't bend like that
__________________
LISA MARIE
28 SOUTHPORT W/TWIN F250 YAMAHAS
LIL' LISA MARIE
17 FT WHALER W/90HP F90 YAMAHA
Good Info Guys.. I also have the 18' telescoping Tacos and am not satisfied with the flex. I pull a long, short and teasor lines off each pole and as they flex the lines get loose and sloppy/floppy.
Based on your info, I am going to switch to the 16' Lees. I talked to the Lee rep on the phone this AM and he said they "should" work (cya)...
He said they had one instance where the poles were a "tight" fit and had to be shaved to fit properly. Nice guy and very helpful.
So, I have decided to order the 3716xs poles...and will be selling the 18' Tacos (used one season).
Thanks,
Replacing telescoping outriggers with fixed 
poles
HDS-10/P79 IN HULL DUCER
Bennett tabs.. 
