Tigress XD Top Mount Outrigger Mount (Pair)

The Tigress XD Top Mount is a pair of Tigress's top-tier extreme-duty top-mount outrigger bases for sport fishing boats up to 40 feet running 1-1/2 inch butt-diameter outrigger poles. The XD designation places this mount at the top of the Tigress outrigger mount lineup - heavier hardware, more precision in the lock positions, and more material thickness throughout than the standard-duty Tigress mounts.

What a top-mount outrigger base does. The mounting base bolts to the top surface of your T-top, hardtop, radar arch, or pilothouse roof and holds the outrigger pole. The base provides two adjustments that you make constantly during fishing: out-bound rotation (how far outward from the boat centerline the pole points - controls trolling spread width) and lift angle (how high or low the pole points relative to horizontal - controls stored vs deployed vs full-up clearance positions). Both adjustments need to lock solidly under fishing load so the pole doesn't shift position when a fish strikes - mount slippage means losing the spread geometry you set up.

Twenty-four lock positions in 15-degree increments. Out-bound rotation locks at 24 distinct positions around 360 degrees, with each position 15 degrees from the next. Practical positions: 0 degrees (straight outboard, fully deployed perpendicular to centerline), 90 degrees (pole points straight back from the boat - the typical aggressive deployment angle for maximum spread width), 180 degrees (pole points forward, stored against the boat for bridge clearance and trailering), and every 15 degrees in between. The 15-degree spacing is fine enough that you can dial in essentially any desired spread angle, and the precise mechanical lock at each position prevents the slip-under-load failures that plague cheaper mounts.

Nineteen upper-arm angle positions in 10-degree increments. Vertical lift angle locks at 19 positions across the working range, with each 10 degrees from the next. Common positions: stored flat against the top (0 degrees), normal deployed at 30-45 degrees up from horizontal (typical trolling deploy position), and full-up at 90+ degrees (clearance position for going under bridges or low overhead structure). The 10-degree spacing is fine enough for any practical deployment configuration. Each position locks via the Tigress XD detent design with ambidextrous horizontal stops - the lock is positive (mechanical detent, not friction-based) so it doesn't slip even after years of saltwater exposure when friction surfaces would have corroded.

The invertible handle - the unique Tigress feature. The XD mount handle inverts (flips between two orientations) so the same mount works on two completely different top constructions: (1) Soft tops - canvas T-tops, fabric tops, lighter aluminum tops where the underside has limited clearance for hardware. (2) Hard tops over 2 inches thick - fiberglass hardtops, radar arches, pilothouse roofs where the underside has thick structure and the handle needs extra clearance to operate. Most competing top mounts come in separate part numbers for soft top vs hard top installations - the Tigress XD's invertible handle eliminates that decision, the same mount works either way. Useful flexibility when you don't know your top thickness ahead of ordering, and useful resale flexibility if you move the mount to a different boat later.

Material spec - extreme duty. The XD mount uses 316 stainless steel for all load-bearing structural components (the swivel mechanism, lock pins, handle assembly, hardware) and anodized aluminum for the body castings. 316 stainless is the marine-grade variant - resists chloride pitting corrosion much better than the cheaper 304 grade used on freshwater products. The aluminum body is anodized for additional corrosion protection - bare aluminum exposed to saltwater chalks and pits within months, anodized aluminum stays bright for decades. Sealed construction protects internal pivot surfaces from saltwater intrusion. UV-stable plastic on the 3-lobe knob resists chalk and brittleness from sun exposure. Total result: 10-15 year expected service life in heavy saltwater offshore use, vs 3-5 year typical life on cheaper outrigger mounts.

Mirror-polished stainless lever. The release lever is mirror-polished stainless steel - both for the cosmetic high-end appearance and for the functional resistance to salt buildup. Mirror polish reduces the surface roughness where salt crystals can lodge, so a fresh-water rinse cleans the lever completely. Brushed or matte stainless develops white salt residue in textured areas that's harder to clean. Ergonomic shape fits the hand naturally with use for the lock release action.

Pole compatibility. The XD Top Mount accepts 1-1/2 inch butt diameter outrigger poles directly (the Tigress XD outriggers and any other-brand 1-1/2 inch butt outriggers). For 1-1/8 inch butt outriggers (the lighter recreational pole standard), Tigress sells an adapter sleeve that drops the mount opening down to 1-1/8 inch - so you can use the XD mount with lighter poles if needed. The standard 1/4 inch diameter stainless push-in pin secures the pole in the mount and prevents accidental separation.

Mounting hardware compatibility. The XD mount footprint is the industry-standard 4 x 6 inch mounting plate pattern with four 5/16 inch diameter fasteners - compatible with Tigress mounting plates and most other-brand mounting plates (TACO, others). The bottom shaft of the mount also fits through standard 3 inch diameter mounting plate holes and standard hardtop cutouts - so existing installations that previously ran competitor mounts can typically be retrofitted to Tigress XD without modifying the top hardware. The 8 optional underside lever positions let you orient the mount for the most ergonomic hand position based on where the mount sits on your top relative to where you stand when operating it.

Boat size sweet spot. Up to 40 feet is the Tigress spec - typical mid to large sportfishers, center consoles, convertibles, and walk-arounds in the 28-40 ft range. The XD mount handles the load that 16 to 20 ft 1-1/2 inch outriggers (with realistic tournament dredge spreads) transmit to the mount, with significant safety margin. For boats over 40 feet running heavier 20-26 ft poles with full triple-tier dredges, the slightly heavier XL series mounts are available. For boats under 28 feet running 13-15 ft poles with light spreads, the standard-duty Tigress mounts are sufficient and cost less.

What's in the box. Pair of XD Top Mounts (port + starboard mirror-image), mounting hardware (the screws to secure each mount to a 4 x 6 inch mounting plate), basic install documentation. Mounting plates themselves, outrigger poles, line, and release clips are all sold separately.

3-year limited warranty from Tigress on materials and workmanship. Tigress has been making outrigger hardware specifically for serious offshore sportfishing for decades and warranty support is well-established. The XD line has strong field history with reliability appropriate for tournament and charter use.