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What pound test line are these reels designed for? I was thinking 20 or 30 lb test mono, plus some backing. I need to spool one up after servicing one that I just bought.
Quote from: Eddie K on July 02, 2019, 05:33:11 PM
What pound test line are these reels designed for? I was thinking 20 or 30 lb test mono, plus some backing. I need to spool one up after servicing one that I just bought.
275 yds of mono. My Delmar has a plastic spool. I have the first 50 yds or so of braid, then the remainder is 30 lb Berkley Big Game. These are trolling reels, but surprisingly cast fairly well.
The Delmar is one of Penn's most successful reels...if success is measured by how well a reel performed it's job. I have been out on headboats that used Delmars from the 40s, 50s, and 60s every day! They just won't quit!. 8)
They are general fishing reels adaptable to various types of lite fishing. Is the spool plastic(Bakelight) , plated brass, or newest one black Aluminium? If plastic I use would use 20 lb braided Dacron. Straight mono might crush the Bakelite spool. Penn published this warning in their catalogs. In the 70's I also used braided nylon squiding line with a mono top shot. With mono start at about 15 lb on the light side to 30 on the heavy side. It depends on what area and type of fish you are fishing for.
On my Penn conventionals I use 20 lb braided Dacron with a mono leader. I fish the back bays behind Stone Harbor and Wildwood NJ. All my spools have been changed to the Aluminium.
Same size reel as the 85 Seaboy, 60 LB, and 2/0 Senator.
The "M" in the model number indicates a metal spool and an "L" indicates an Aluminium spool.
Thanks for the replies. I just saw a box from the mid to late '70's. 30 pound test dacron.
line was indicated. I'll hunt up some dacron.
I just got this reel yesterday. It's brand new on the inside. It was never used, inside was bright and shiny. Asbestos and brass drag washers.
The old drag washers will work, but you will benefit greatly by upgrading to modern drag washers and friction washer
Absolutely. HT 100's or Carbontex. I was just surprised that this reel was a time capsule on the inside. It was never opened up or fished, ever. I was excited finding a steel main gear.
My inexpensive 285M isn't so inexpensive anymore. It now has a mate and both have ss gear sleeves, 5+1 drag stack and 24-66 handles, 150 yds of 30 lb dacron and 210 yds of 30 lb Berkley Big Game mono.
We can't see it, Eddie...
Try holding it a little closer to your computer -- and crank it with the clicker on.
(In other words...We need pics, 😀😀😀)
285 is a great and under-appreciated reel that takes some of our upgrades very well.
Best,
Fred
IM sent with pics.
--------------------------
I added (3) photos above of your 285, Eddie
Best, Fred
Thank you Fred.
Eddie, That reel is looking great and by the looks your going to get some good use from her.
I've not Delved into the 285 yet, but it is a bug, once you start Modding these old girls up.
Great looking reel...
Col
Looks great !
Col, all my reels are old. The last time I bought a new reel was 2003. I have only recently started buying used reels, clean them up, lube and replace any worn parts. The 285M's that I bought just needed cleaning and polishing as they were discovered to be unused when I opened them up to service them.
I blew out a spool on one of my 285 Delmars. I'm glad it happened at home, instead of having a fish on. I need to find a pair of 29L-85 aluminum spools.
There's not alota those out there. Might haveta get 'em from a used reel. I put one on my 2/0 Senator that actually came from a 285(not originally).
I think it is going to be like searching for hens teeth.
Quote from: Eddie K on November 06, 2019, 05:53:02 AM
I need to find a pair of 29L-85 aluminum spools.
Quote from: Gfish on November 06, 2019, 02:40:51 PM
Might have ta get 'em from a used reel.
Searching the hundreds of Delmars on eBay should turn up a few. I miss the days when Mystic had any Penn part one needed. Some of these parts are getting scarce.
Also look at Long Beach 60's and Seaboy 85's, though it's hard to tell plastic spools from aluminium by an ebay picture. Probably gotta ask the seller if it looks like it could be one. The Del Mar 285 never came with an aluminum spool so they'er all add-ons.
Quote from: Gfish on November 07, 2019, 02:25:10 PM
Also look at Long Beach 60's and Seaboy 85's, though it's hard to tell plastic spools from aluminium by an ebay picture.
Good call G...forgot those two. Also the post '90 Seaboy 185 is a source. This photo I heisted from Bill B. shows how the shoulders differ on the plastic and aluminum spools. Good luck searching! 8)
Or, if there is enough demand Tom H. from Cortez Conversions could make a run of new spools. He is working on a frame for a Longbeach. I don't know which model.
Yup. There's a market for 'em. P.C., Tiburon, C.C., hint, hint...
Yeah, definitely a market, and a frame for a Longbeach sounds fantastic! I did an eBay search of Delmars...there were only 66! Wow...there used to be many more...maybe things are finally drying up. And 29L-85 spools were extinct on da Bay. :-\
Found and bought some Penn Seaboy 85's with the coveted 29L-85 aluminum spool. I've found hens teeth. I didn't want to buy whole reels, but, that's the only way to get those spools as of right now. 2 down and 5 to go. Ordering 2 new spools from Randy.
you guys crack me up. I've had some for sale here for 10 days. 2/4/20 one left.
I just had a Penn 85 Seaboy clean as a whistle loaded with 400 yards of 20# pink ande, carbon fiber drags and the coveted aluminum spool delivered to my house from Ebay for $9.99
Quote from: Beachmaster on February 06, 2020, 12:03:49 AM
I just had a Penn 85 Seaboy clean as a whistle loaded with 400 yards of 20# pink ande, carbon fiber drags and the coveted aluminum spool delivered to my house from Ebay for $9.99
I saw that one sell...nice buy! 8)
Quote from: mo65 on February 06, 2020, 12:32:04 AM
Quote from: Beachmaster on February 06, 2020, 12:03:49 AM
I just had a Penn 85 Seaboy clean as a whistle loaded with 400 yards of 20# pink ande, carbon fiber drags and the coveted aluminum spool delivered to my house from Ebay for $9.99
I saw that one sell...nice buy! 8)
Thanks Mo! I gotta stop soon...I also bought those three 330N Quicks for $32. On another note, what can I use the 85 Seaboy for? I am in Texas and fish the Texas coast.
Quote from: Beachmaster on February 06, 2020, 12:39:56 AM
Thanks Mo! I gotta stop soon...I also bought those three 330N Quicks for $32. On another note, what can I use the 85 Seaboy for? I am in Texas and fish the Texas coast.
That Seaboy is equipped for bottom fishing in bays with the aluminum spool, new drags, and loaded with pink Ande. As cheap as you got it, it could also be disassembled for all those choice parts. The spool alone is worth more than you paid for the reel. Heck, the pink Ande is worth more! That reel has many options. You could strip off the 20lb. Ande and replace with a half spool of 30 lb. line for catfishing. At half spool that thing has enough power to twist the stand if you lock it down.
The last Seaboy 85 I bought off of e-bay came to me with a bent 29L-85 spool. The seller took deceptive photography and deceptive description to peddle their busted up junk. The seller was aware that I was looking for a spool because I e-mailed them and asked about the spool.
After careful consideration I believe buying new is the better option, at least for me.
Quote from: mo65 on February 06, 2020, 01:29:09 AM
Quote from: Beachmaster on February 06, 2020, 12:39:56 AM
Thanks Mo! I gotta stop soon...I also bought those three 330N Quicks for $32. On another note, what can I use the 85 Seaboy for? I am in Texas and fish the Texas coast.
That Seaboy is equipped for bottom fishing in bays with the aluminum spool, new drags, and loaded with pink Ande. As cheap as you got it, it could also be disassembled for all those choice parts. The spool alone is worth more than you paid for the reel. Heck, the pink Ande is worth more! That reel has many options. You could strip off the 20lb. Ande and replace with a half spool of 30 lb. line for catfishing. At half spool that thing has enough power to twist the stand if you lock it down.
Mo I believe I will make this a redfish reel.
I have this 285 with the old box. It has this small piece of paper with it and I'd never seen one before is this just a random thing that ended up in here or did it commonly come in the box? Thanks
Wow, does that read $5.50 on the price?
Nice reel Sheridan! I like thpse stippled side plates.
Nice reel Sheridan. Box and reel are 1945-48 time frame. Looks like original owner was Earl Childers. The paper may be left in there from someone that packaged it for shipping. Back then most things were mail order purchases, especially if you lived a long distance from an outfitter