Penn 285 - Hot Rod Candidate??

sundancer · March 09, 2015, 12:21:36 PM

Gents

Good day. I have a 285 on the way to me. Looks to be in good shape from the eBay pix.

This will be no. 2. I am looking to hot rod it a bit. I really like the first. It appears to be a real workhorse for my type of fishing.

What would you do to this Reel? Is there room for a drag washer upgrade? Etc.

Thanks
Steve

PS.
I think I have converted another. Guy at work now has a few little 9's after the first I gave him. He can't wait to get out and use it and was amazed how nice it worked just tossing it around in the background..

George4741 · March 10, 2015, 11:45:01 PM

Sundancer, sorry one of us didn't answer you sooner, but here goes... If your reel doesn't have a metal spool, get one. Then the standard set of 3+1 HT100 drag washers and a stainless gear sleeve if the old one is worn. Don't pretend it's a 113H Senator and you'll be fine.

George

One more thing, don't forget the Penn 24-56 power handle.

sundancer · March 11, 2015, 01:23:15 AM

Thanks George. Will be getting it from my PO Box Wednesday.

I will be opening it up Wednesday evening so I will know then if itis worth the Washers and Sleeve.

Thanks again.
Steve

fIsHsTiiCkS · March 11, 2015, 01:56:00 AM

There is always room to hot rod a little for all these penns. When you get it, cracked it open and we can help from there!

sundancer · March 12, 2015, 01:02:27 AM

Well, other than a small chip in the left Side Plate on the edge near the top Spacer Bar, it is really clean (inside and out) and strong.

I thought that a 500S Spacer Bar might be a good addition to increase the rigidity but the 285's Bar holes are just a little off. So I am back to adding a 5th Bar. There are small dimples near the top of the Plates. I am thinking I can use the 'front' one and add a Bar there.

Will also be going to a bigger Handle and made see if I can find a better Foot.

Thanks again (now to get the weather to behave..)
Steve

fIsHsTiiCkS · March 12, 2015, 01:26:08 AM

Quote from: sundancer on March 12, 2015, 01:02:27 AM
Well, other than a small chip in the left Side Plate on the edge near the top Spacer Bar, it is really clean (inside and out) and strong.

I thought that a 500S Spacer Bar might be a good addition to increase the rigidity but the 285's Bar holes are just a little off. So I am back to adding a 5th Bar. There are small dimples near the top of the Plates. I am thinking I can use the 'front' one and add a Bar there.

Will also be going to a bigger Handle and made see if I can find a better Foot.

Thanks again (now to get the weather to behave..)
Steve

I wonder if the SS squidder bars that black pearl is coming out with would fit?

sundancer · March 12, 2015, 01:28:26 AM

Which Squidder?

thorhammer · March 12, 2015, 01:41:58 AM

what kind of squidder bars? SS?

Alto Mare · March 12, 2015, 01:45:26 AM

I believe the screws on the 285 are spaced the same as the jigmaster, it would be nice if Alan makes those I have a few 970's that could use them, ok, I have many 970's that could use them

. the longbeach and a couple of others could also use them.

sundancer · March 12, 2015, 01:52:04 AM

AM, which Jigmaster? I took the Bar off a 500S and the 285's holes were just a little wider but I will check again.

S

fIsHsTiiCkS · March 12, 2015, 01:59:50 AM

Quote from: Alto Mare on March 12, 2015, 01:45:26 AM
I believe the screws on the 285 are spaced the same as the jigmaster, it would be nice if Alan makes those I have a few 970's that could use them, ok, I have many 970's that could use them . the longbeach and a couple of others could also use them.

If he came out with those, that would be sweet! Should do a small run, they would fit the LB 60 and similar width reels

Alto Mare · March 12, 2015, 02:07:33 AM

Quote from: sundancer on March 12, 2015, 01:52:04 AM
AM, which Jigmaster? I took the Bar off a 500S and the 285's holes were just a little wider but I will check again.

S

Sundancer, you are correct! No wonder I missed it, we're talking 1/32" off, still, just enough not to make it work.

We that said, I still need to have some for my 970's

.

thorhammer · March 12, 2015, 02:27:35 AM

Sal has many 970"s. hero worship. bought to give my one and only the treatment

George4741 · March 12, 2015, 02:30:17 AM

From my experience, none of the aforementioned bars will fit on the 285. I wish Penn standardized the screw spacing on their reels.

I have one odd sized spacer bar that I believe is a #37-970. It won't fit my Long Beaches, 85, or 285 as the screw spacing is slightly off. Oddly enough, it fits my Sailfisher!

intili · March 12, 2015, 03:57:30 PM

970 Worship!! I have four, they can be 970 or 980 depending on how I feel that day!! Two actually began life as 980, but only one remains that width currently! They will someday have those new insert drags that are becoming so popular!! I have been trying to upgrade the drags, but can't find the thin washers to use standard diameter this carbontex.