Downrigger mounting- HELP! Need ideas.

Okay, So I am trying to mount a full size downrigger on to my outback.  Since this forum was such great help when I mounted it to my mini-x, I thought I'd troll for more ideas here.

So as suggested, I am going to mount it in the middle directly behind me.  If I mount it on to a rotating base which I have, I should be able to access it sufficiently while facing forward, and have full access side saddle.

The dilemma is to how best to mount it.  The swiveling base is HUGE so I want to be able to remove it.  Problem is it comes with BIG long screws that I think you can't remove without disassembling the whole thing which I don't want to do.

My initial idea is to cut three square pieces from a decent thickness cutting board (plastic kind)  Sandwich the deck of the kayak between the two pieces.  That piece can be permanent. 

The question is....

How to mount the swiveling base onto something that I can attach to the bottom base so it is secure, but doesn't take more than a few minutes to remove or put on.  Faster the better.

Some things to keep in mind.

1) I want to minimize holes in the yak.

2) When the base is not attached, I'd prefer the deck to be as flat as possible wihtout screws or other hardware protruding unnecessarily from the base plate.

3) Needs to be strong enough to handle a 8 pound weight plus the downrigger.

4) I'll check to see if I can change the screws easily, but I'd prefer to keep the long screws in the base since I use it elsewhere.  SO that measn I need some clearance somwhere....

Here are some pics.

Here's how I did for my mini-x.

Looking for a more permanent and elegant solution. 

http://guidesak.blogspot.com/2011/04/ok.html

Unless I am missing something......a 8 pound weight seems to be excessive for a kayak unless you have a motor to move you along over 3 mph.......I use a 3 pound weight on my Hobie Outback and that is plenty of weight to fish at 100' @ 1.5 mph trolling speed.
Anyone else care to chime in on the weight issue?

Unless I am missing something......a 8 pound weight seems to be excessive for a kayak unless you have a motor to move you along over 3 mph.......I use a 3 pound weight on my Hobie Outback and that is plenty of weight to fish at 100' @ 1.5 mph trolling speed.
Anyone else care to chime in on the weight issue?

What kind of gear are you using?  I was thinking the same thing.  But I heard from a lot of folks that the lake trolls with the 4 pound weights will not get it done for salmon fishing in the area.  The few small boats that had them said the lake troll downriggers with 4 pounds would be at a 45 deg angle using salmon gear.  When I was trolling for kings and silvers, I was pretty much moving along at the same speed as many of the boats.

I fish 11 inch flashers and green label herring as a main stay.  The currents in Cook Inlet often top out at about 3 knts where I fish.  I probably will only be fishing 50 to 60 ft down though.  I'd say in no current, trolling speed would be about 2mph.  Also if the Yak can handle the drag, I'd eventually like to run an 11 inch flasher off the ball and another flasher (as big as I can get away with) on the line.

I'd be curious though on what other people's experience's are.  I think Zee's article was saying he uses 6 pound weights for the full size downriggers. 

Oh here's my temporary solution.  I can already tell I need a bigger backing plate.  I don't want it to be this "permanent" eventually.  For now, it can stay.  I can see using my downrigger a lot if it works out.  Notice the two extra holes.  ARGH.  Measure twice, cut once?  I forgot to measure my arms!  I couldn't reach the two bolts in back!  ARE YOU $&^%$ KIDDING ME!!!  I could have rigged some "nut and washer" holder but heck with it.  Drilled two more holes, moved everything 2 inches!!!  And all better.  Will permanently fill in holes later. Silicone filled for now. 

Unless I am missing something......a 8 pound weight seems to be excessive for a kayak unless you have a motor to move you along over 3 mph.......I use a 3 pound weight on my Hobie Outback and that is plenty of weight to fish at 100' @ 1.5 mph trolling speed.
Anyone else care to chime in on the weight issue?

An 8 pound weight is a lot to pull around.  But a 3 pound weight is too light for salt water applications.  Go as high as you can comfortably pull.

-Allen

I had decent luck with a 6# ball (finnned).  8# is overkill---for a yak.  I use 12# and 14# on my pb yo get down to 100-120feet.

Hmmmm well I just bought an outback and the first thing I did was put a downrigger on it. I used a gimbal mount and bought the Scotty 1050 downrigger to put on it. It's located on my forward stbd flush mount pole holder. No holes and easy to handle. The only problem I have found is that it's a long reach to the pole. I may put another rod holder aft to make things a bit more convenient. I bought a 3 pound downrigger ball which works well in fresh water. I need a little bigger one for saltwater. Anyways having it in front and my tackle bag directly behind me seems like the best thing. Also it's nice to be able to see the downrigger in case it does start dragging or get hooked on something.