Powder Coating Lee Outrigger Poles - Boating & Fishing Information and Reports Forum

darbikrash · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 05:00 PM

I've ordered 16' Lee Outriggers for my new boat, and I've asked that the builder powdercoat the poles to reduce maintenance and match the rest of the pipework.

My previous boats had anodized rigger poles, and they are impossible to keep free of oxidation, much worse than the T-top pipework.

The guys at Lee's recommended powdercoating, but in thinking it over, riggers get a lot of flex during use and I'm concerned that the coating will chip or flake off with all the bending. Of course, the parts of the tubing that telescope into each other would be masked off, as the coating is way too thick to allow the tubes to slide together.

I had wanted to use the carbon fiber poles, until I saw the price.

Has anybody powdercoated their rigger poles? Is LP paint a better option? Most guys on the West coast use fiberglass rigger poles, and LP paint them. And yes, they flex WAY too much to be usable. But I like the idea of LP paint, anybody got any suggestions?

John

welder · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 05:11 PM

How about anodized aluminum ?

I would go with the Glass ones my self.

Lester

Kern O · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 09:03 PM

John: I think the best bet would be to buy the telescoping variety and take them off the boat when it is not in use. You could surely powdercoat them if you were using the type that I got on the Venture, where they slip together and are bolted rather than telescoping. Primo powdercoat (Huntington Beach) can do 30 feet, so you could hand them the assembled tubes and have them coat the entire assembly - no masking required. If you need a set to play with, let me know. I plan to buy the Taco telescoping variety.

darbikrash · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 10:38 PM

Well I might just stick with powdercoating them. The Lee's that I ordered have the bolted, fixed sections and do not easily disassemble.

I've been told that the telescoping variety must be collapsed before "running" they apparently cannot take the stress of bouncing when deployed. If true, this would be a hassle when picking up and running to a new spot to troll.

Any truth to this?

Kern O · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 10:42 PM

I'd like to know the answer as well. But since the tubing sure looks the same for both the telescoping and the fixed variety, I cannot imagine that there's a difference in the ability to run with them deployed.

glen e · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darbikrash

Well I might just stick with powdercoating them. The Lee's that I ordered have the bolted, fixed sections and do not easily disassemble.

I've been told that the telescoping variety must be collapsed before "running" they apparently cannot take the stress of bouncing when deployed. If true, this would be a hassle when picking up and running to a new spot to troll.

Any truth to this?

none that I know of - we used to run all the time and I don't think I collapsed mine more then 3 times in 4 years with the donzi.I just lowered them close to the deck..also, they were anodized and a cotton glove and woody wax kept them perfect for 4 years - no corrosion at all...mine were Grand Slam Taco's - See fishing and cruising positions below...also, with Kern's CNC machine I would thnk it'd be simple to add rear supports that attach to the top or rear t-top rail for further support if you wanted...

darbikrash · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Maybe a couple of these:

Avaliable from Birdsall, $75 each in either 6" or 2" offset. One of each shown.

John

Capt. Fred · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 05:00 PM

I have the Taco telescoping type as a center rigger and haven't had a problem with running with it extended.

There must be something out there that will keep them nice looking. I was on the Bite Me in Hatteras a few weeks ago and it is at least 6 or 8 years old and his anodized frame on the hard top looks brand new. I'm not sure what he does to it but it sure looks nice. Lee's are real high quality and I bet that if you keep them covered with rejex or some other high quality wax that they'll hold up fine.

By the way the rejex is awesome stuff. Super easy to apply.

glen e · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Fred

By the way the rejex is awesome stuff. Super easy to apply.

woody makes their wax impreganted in a small sponge that will do all your piping and outriggers for $2...collonite also makes an insultor wax for metal that is very durable....everything else rejex

call woody - they'll send you one free to try...

darbikrash · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 06:36 PM

I'm wondering if the conditions out here are a little harder on anodize finish than on the East coast.

Consider (this week aside anyway) that it virtually never rains out here, as it was explained to me, frequent rain tends to wash salt deposits off things like riggers. Without rain, these deposits just sort of bake on, and as they (outriggers) are somewhat harder to get to, they may not get treated as often as they should.

For the previous rainy season, we had 2" total rain for the year.