What Electric Outriggers Are and Why Trolling Boats Use Them

Electric outriggers are motorized arms that extend from the sides of your boat to spread fishing lines wide across the water. Instead of manually raising and lowering them by hand crank, an electric motor does the work with a button press from the helm. This matters because outriggers let you fish multiple lines at different distances from the boat — typically 30 to 60 feet out on each side — without tangling, and electric versions save your arms on a long day and let you adjust depth or position without leaving the wheel.

The basic setup is the same as manual outriggers: a pole mounted on the gunwale, a pulley at the tip, and a line running through it to hold your fishing line at a chosen height and distance. The electric motor simply powers the raising and lowering mechanism instead of requiring you to turn a crank. On most models, you control the motor from a switch at the helm, and the outrigger stops automatically when it reaches the top or bottom position.

Electric outriggers are most common on larger trolling boats — 25 feet and up — where manual operation becomes tiring and where the boat's electrical system can support the draw. Smaller boats and those with limited power budgets often stick with manual or pneumatic versions. The choice depends on your boat size, how long you troll, and whether your electrical system can handle the load.

Key Takeaways

  • Electric outriggers use a motor to raise and lower arms that spread your fishing lines wide, controlled by a button at the helm instead of a hand crank.
  • They let you fish multiple lines at different distances and depths without tangling, and reduce physical effort on long trolling days.
  • Most electric models draw 20 to 40 amps at 12 volts and require a dedicated battery bank or alternator capacity to run reliably.
  • Electric outriggers cost between $2,000 and $6,000 per pair installed, depending on brand and whether you add remote controls or additional features.
  • They work best on boats 25 feet and larger with solid electrical systems; smaller boats may find manual or pneumatic outriggers more practical.

How the Motor and Control System Work

An electric outrigger motor is typically a 12-volt DC motor connected to a gearbox that drives a drum or cable-and-pulley system. When you press the up button at the helm, the motor turns the drum, which winds the cable and raises the outrigger arm. When you press down, the motor reverses and the arm lowers. Most systems include limit switches at the top and bottom positions so the motor stops automatically and does not strain the mechanism.

The control switch at the helm is usually a simple three-position rocker: up, neutral, and down. Some higher-end models offer wireless remote controls so you can adjust outriggers from anywhere on the boat — useful when you are fighting a fish or repositioning lines while moving. The wiring runs from the battery through a breaker and relay to the motor, and the whole circuit should be fused to protect against shorts.

Power draw varies by model and motor size, but most electric outriggers pull 20 to 40 amps when running. This is significant enough that you need either a dedicated battery bank or an alternator large enough to supply the draw without draining your main starting battery. On a boat with a 100-amp alternator and modest other loads, running outriggers is usually fine; on a smaller boat with a 60-amp alternator and multiple electronics, you may need to upgrade.

Electrical Requirements and Installation Considerations

Before buying electric outriggers, check your boat's electrical system. You need a battery bank with enough reserve capacity to run the motors for the length of your trolling day, or an alternator large enough to supply the current while the engine runs. Most trolling boats run a 12-volt system, though some larger vessels use 24 volts; make sure the outriggers match your boat's voltage.

Installation requires running heavy-gauge wire (typically 2/0 or 4/0 AWG) from the battery to a breaker panel, then to the outrigger motors. The wire must be properly sized for the distance and current draw, or you will lose voltage and the motors will run slowly or not at all. Most installers recommend a 60 to 80-amp breaker for a pair of outriggers, and a relay to isolate the motor circuit from the helm switch.

If your boat does not have the electrical capacity, you have two options: upgrade the alternator and battery bank (expensive, $1,500 to $3,000), or choose manual or pneumatic outriggers instead. Some boats also benefit from a dedicated auxiliary battery charged by the main alternator, which gives you reserve power for outriggers without affecting your starting battery or other systems.

Cost and Installation Timeline

A pair of electric outriggers typically costs $2,000 to $6,000 depending on brand, motor size, and features. Basic models from manufacturers like Taco, Rupp, or Cannon run toward the lower end; premium systems with wireless remotes and larger motors cost more. Add another $500 to $1,500 for professional installation if you do not have the wiring and mechanical skills to do it yourself.

Installation usually takes one to two days if your boat already has the electrical capacity and mounting points. If you need to upgrade the alternator, add a battery bank, or reinforce the gunwale, the job can stretch to a week or more. Most marine electricians can handle the wiring; some outrigger manufacturers have certified installers in major fishing ports.

Used electric outriggers sometimes appear on the market for $800 to $2,000 per pair, but inspect them carefully for corrosion, motor noise, or cable fraying. Saltwater exposure degrades the seals and wiring, so a used set from a freshwater boat is a better bet than one from the ocean. Test the motors before buying, and confirm that replacement parts are still available for the model.

Electric Versus Manual and Pneumatic Outriggers

Manual outriggers use a hand crank to raise and lower the arms. They are simple, cheap ($400 to $1,200 per pair), and require no electrical system. The downside is fatigue on long days and the need to leave the helm to adjust them. Manual outriggers work well on smaller boats and for anglers who troll for a few hours at a time.

Pneumatic outriggers use compressed air from a boat's air compressor to raise and lower the arms. They are faster than manual and less tiring, but they require a functioning air system and regular maintenance of the compressor and lines. Pneumatic systems cost $1,200 to $3,000 per pair and are common on commercial fishing boats and larger recreational vessels.

Electric outriggers split the difference: they are faster and easier than manual, do not require a separate air system, and let you control them from the helm. The trade-off is electrical load and the need for a robust power system. For boats 25 feet and larger with solid alternators and battery banks, electric is usually the best choice. For smaller boats or those with limited power, manual or pneumatic may be more practical.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Electric outriggers need regular maintenance to stay reliable. Rinse the arms and pulleys with fresh water after each saltwater outing to prevent corrosion. Check the cable for fraying or kinks, and lubricate the pulley bearings and motor shaft with marine grease once a season. Inspect the wiring for cracks or loose connections, especially where the cable exits the motor housing.

Common problems include slow raising or lowering (usually low voltage or a weak motor), outriggers that do not stop at the limit (worn limit switches), and motors that hum but do not turn (seized gearbox or jammed cable). Most of these can be diagnosed by checking voltage at the motor terminals with a multimeter, and many can be fixed by cleaning corrosion or tightening connections. If the motor itself fails, replacement units cost $300 to $800 depending on the model.

If your outriggers stop working mid-trip, check the breaker first — it may have tripped due to a voltage spike or short. If the breaker is fine, check the helm switch and the wiring connections at the battery and motor. Carry a spare breaker and a basic tool kit so you can troubleshoot on the water. Most problems are electrical rather than mechanical, and a multimeter and some patience can get you running again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add electric outriggers to a boat that already has manual ones?

Yes. If your boat has manual outrigger mounts, an installer can usually retrofit electric motors and controls without replacing the arms or pulleys. The cost is lower than a full new installation, typically $1,500 to $3,000 for the retrofit plus wiring. Confirm that the existing arms are strong enough for motorized operation and that the mounting points are sound.

How much power do electric outriggers draw from my battery?

Most electric outriggers draw 20 to 40 amps at 12 volts while the motor is running. Raising or lowering an arm typically takes 30 to 60 seconds, so the total draw per cycle is modest. On a boat with a 100-amp alternator and a 200-amp-hour battery bank, you can run outriggers all day without draining the battery as long as the engine is running.

What happens if my alternator is not big enough?

If your alternator cannot supply the current draw, the battery will slowly drain and the outrigger motors will run slowly or stop. You will see dim lights and sluggish electronics as the battery voltage drops. The solution is to upgrade the alternator (usually $500 to $1,200 installed) or add a dedicated auxiliary battery charged by the main alternator.

Do electric outriggers work in rough water?

Yes, but rough seas can make it harder to position lines precisely because the boat is moving. The motors themselves are not affected by wave action. If you are trolling in heavy seas, lower the outriggers fully to reduce wind resistance and the risk of the arms catching a wave.

Can I use a wireless remote with electric outriggers?

Many modern electric outrigger systems offer wireless remote controls, though they add $500 to $1,000 to the cost. The remote lets you adjust outriggers from anywhere on the boat without running back to the helm. Wireless systems use 2.4 GHz frequency and typically have a range of 50 to 100 feet, which is enough for most boats.