How to Choose the Right Outriggers: A Guide for Regulator Owners

Why Outriggers Matter

A Regulator center console is built to fish. But even the best boat benefits from expanding its trolling footprint, and that is exactly what a well-matched outrigger system delivers. Outriggers project fishing lines laterally, pulling baits out of the prop wash and into clean water where pelagic species can track them against the surface light.

On a Regulator 31 equipped with 22-foot poles, the effective spread width jumps from roughly 10 feet to nearly 50 feet. That is a dramatic increase in coverage, and it puts every bait in undisturbed water where it can do its job.

Beyond width, outriggers change the geometry of the presentation. By elevating the release point 15 to 25 feet above the waterline, the main line lifts clear of the surface. That reduces drag on the leader and lets the lure skip and breathe naturally, mimicking a panicked baitfish. For skipping ballyhoo or pulling heavy spreader bars, that vertical angle is non-negotiable.

There is also a stability component worth understanding. Regulator hulls feature a 24-degree deadrise on offshore models, designed to slice through head seas. When rigged with stiff, lightweight carbon fiber poles and tensioned halyards, an outrigger system creates a truss-like structure that subtly dampens roll. Conversely, poles that are too heavy or too long for a given hull can introduce an uncomfortable snap-roll, which is why matching the system to the boat matters.

Aluminum vs. Carbon Fiber: What the Material Means

Aluminum: The Traditional Choice

Cold-drawn 6061-T6 aluminum has been the industry standard for decades. It is a ductile metal, meaning it bends before it breaks, which can be a safety advantage if a pole tip buries in a wave. The tradeoff is weight. As aluminum poles exceed 18 feet, they get heavy and flexible, requiring spreader systems (crossbars and cables) to stiffen them. Spreaders add weight aloft, raise the center of gravity, and increase windage.

Aluminum also corrodes in saltwater. Despite anodization, pitting develops over time, especially where stainless steel hardware creates galvanic couples. Expect regular polishing to keep aluminum riggers looking sharp.

Carbon Fiber: The Performance Standard

Carbon fiber composites offer a stiffness-to-weight ratio that aluminum cannot match. A 22-foot carbon fiber pole can be built rigid enough to eliminate spreaders entirely, which cuts weight aloft and improves ride quality in rough seas.

The performance difference shows up in lure behavior. When a boat rolls, a flexible aluminum pole loads up and snaps back, whipping the lure forward unnaturally. A stiff carbon pole dampens that motion, keeping the lure swimming at consistent speed. For high-speed wahoo trolling, that consistency matters.

Carbon fiber does not corrode. It will not pit, rust, or oxidize. The epoxy matrix is susceptible to UV degradation, so premium manufacturers like Gemlux apply UV-resistant clear coats that need periodic attention, similar to gelcoat care.

One more advantage: the hollow, spreader-free structure of carbon poles allows for internal rigging. Halyards run inside the tube, eliminating line slap, reducing wind noise, and protecting the halyard from UV rot.

Metric: Aluminum

Weight: Heavy; increases load aloft

Rigidity: Flexible past 18 feet; needs spreaders

Corrosion: Pitting and galvanic corrosion risk

Rigging: External only (cluttered)

Lure Action: Whippy in rough seas

Maintenance: Frequent polishing and waxing

Cost: Entry-level to moderate

Outrigger Bases: Taco Marine vs. Gemlux

The base is the mechanical interface between the hardtop and the dynamic forces of the poles. For Regulator owners, the choice typically comes down to two brands.

Taco Marine Grand Slam Series

Many legacy Regulator hulls feature the Grand Slam (GS-280, GS-380, GS-390). These use a worm-gear drive for elevation: rotate a crank handle to lift the pole, unclip a latch to swing it outboard. The mechanical advantage makes lifting heavy aluminum poles manageable for any crew member. The downside is that internal gearing requires lubrication and can stiffen from salt intrusion if neglected. The GS-390 series addresses earlier flex issues with a beefier gusset and thicker arm.

Gemlux Bluewater and Deluxe Series

Gemlux is the primary factory partner for the 2026 Regulator model year. These bases skip the gears entirely, using a direct-action system with heavy-duty stainless steel roller bearings. A single pull-down handle unlocks the unit for manual rotation and elevation.

The roller bearings deliver smooth operation even under the drag loads of pulling a dredge. The push-pull operation is faster than cranking, which matters when fish are crashing baits and the crew needs riggers deployed now. The Bluewater base handles the torque of 22-foot carbon poles without developing the slop that can appear in gear teeth over time.

Configuration by Regulator Model

Regulator 23, 24XO, 25, and 26XO

These smaller hulls are nimble and sensitive to weight aloft. Heavy 18-foot aluminum poles with spreaders would raise the center of gravity and create a tender roll at rest.

Recommended setup: - Poles: 18-foot carbon fiber telescoping. Full reach for trolling mahi and kingfish, collapsing to 6 feet for trailering. - Bases: Gemlux Deluxe or Taco GS-280. - Rigging: Single clip per pole. Double rigging on boats this size complicates the cockpit without proportional benefit. - Shade: Compatible with Gemlux Quick Shade system.

Regulator 28

The 28 is the entry point to the core offshore fleet. The 9-foot, 5-inch beam handles 18-foot poles well, and the 2026 factory standard pairs Gemlux Deluxe bases with 18-foot carbon telescoping poles.

Recommended setup: - Poles: 18-foot carbon fiber telescoping (factory standard). - Bases: Gemlux Deluxe. - Rigging: Single or double clip per pole. - Shade: Compatible with Gemlux Fly Shade.

Regulator 31

The 31’s wider beam (10 feet, 4 inches) supports the step up to longer poles. This is where the configuration starts to mirror tournament-level sportfish rigs.

Recommended setup: - Poles: 22-foot carbon fiber internal riggers (factory option). - Bases: Gemlux Bluewater. - Rigging: Double rigging (short and long clips) for a 5-to-7-line spread. - Shade: Compatible with Gemlux Fly Shade.

Regulator 35, 37, and 41

These big offshore boats, running triple and quad Yamaha outboards, generate a wide, turbulent wash. Standard 18-foot poles cannot clear it. Length is essential.

Recommended setup: - Poles: 22-foot carbon fiber internal riggers (factory standard). For the 41, tournament teams often run 27-foot fixed carbon poles to pull dredges effectively; that is a custom configuration. - Bases: Gemlux Bluewater (standard on all three models). - Rigging: Triple rigging (short, long, and teaser/dredge). This setup mirrors a sportfish yacht. - Shade: Compatible with Gemlux Fly Shade.

Rigging Details That Matter

Internal vs. External Rigging

External rigging runs halyards through rings on the outside of the pole. It is easy to inspect and repair at sea but creates line slap in the wind and exposes halyards to UV. Internal rigging runs halyards inside the hollow carbon tube for silent operation, UV protection, and a clean look. The tradeoff: if a line breaks offshore, re-rigging is harder. For Regulator owners, internal rigging fits the boat’s clean, hidden-fastener design language. Hal-Lock pulleys help prevent halyard creep from vibration.

Halyard Materials

• 400-pound monofilament: Traditional, stiff, resists tangles, smooth through release clips. Difficult to coil when removing telescoping poles.
• Dyneema or Spectra braid: UV resistant, strong, soft to handle. Ideal for internal rigging because it slides easily through internal guides.

Release Clips

Match the clip to the target species and technique. Roller clips are essential for wire-line trolling or heavy monofilament. Whatever the clip style, tension must be adjustable. Heavy lures need high tension to prevent premature release from water drag, but the clip still needs to pop on a strike.

Installation: Getting the Mount Right

Backing Plates

When a 22-foot outrigger pole catches a wave or loads up on a fish, the torque transferred to the hardtop base is significant. Standard washers cannot distribute that load. Large backing plates, typically anodized aluminum or 316 stainless steel (4 by 6 inches or larger), should be installed on the underside of the hardtop. Bed them with a flexible marine sealant like 3M 4200 or Sikaflex. Avoid 3M 5200 for this application; its permanent bond makes future servicing difficult.

Wedge Plates

Regulator hardtops have a camber to shed water. Mounting a base directly to a curved surface angles the poles off-plane. Wedge plates (typically 5 to 7 degrees) level the mounting surface relative to the waterline, keeping the spread symmetrical.

Compression Spacers

If the hardtop uses a foam core, bolting through it without protection crushes the core over time. Aluminum or stainless steel compression sleeves inserted into the drilled holes carry the clamping force, preserving structural integrity and preventing a mount that gradually loosens.

Beyond Fishing: Shade Integration

Systems like the Gemlux Fly Shade and Quick Shade use the outrigger poles as the structural framework for sun protection. A purpose-built canvas attaches to the T-top and clips to the pole tips. Swing the poles forward to shade the bow lounge; leave them aft to cover the cockpit.

Carbon fiber poles excel here. Aluminum often flexes under shade tension, causing the fabric to sag or flap. Rigid carbon poles keep the shade taut and quiet, even in a breeze. For the Regulator owner running a family sandbar day, the outriggers stop being idle fishing gear and become the backbone of onboard comfort.

Maintenance Essentials

Salt Removal

Fresh water alone does not dissolve all salt deposits, especially inside telescoping joints. Use a salt-dissolving agent like Salt-Away after every trip for aluminum poles. Carbon poles are more forgiving but still need rinsing to protect metal collars and bases.

Ceramic Coating

Nano-ceramic coatings (Glidecoat, Starke) have largely replaced traditional wax. They bond at the molecular level, creating a hydrophobic surface that repels water and salt. On aluminum, this slows pitting. On carbon fiber, it adds a UV shield that prevents the epoxy from chalking. A properly applied coating lasts 18 to 24 months.

Base and Hardware Lubrication

Taco worm gears and crank handles need regular lubrication with a corrosion inhibitor like Corrosion Block. Avoid heavy grease that traps salt and grit. On telescoping poles, keep the spring-loaded buttons moving freely with a drop of lightweight oil on the spring mechanism.

Quick Reference: Outrigger Configuration by Model

Model: Pole Length

23 / 24XO: 18 feet

25 / 26XO: 18 feet

28: 18 feet

31: 22 feet

35: 22 feet

37: 22 feet

41: 22 feet (factory) / 27 feet (custom)