[A_White]

Got it all wired up and painted. Still gotta clean up everything and get some sort of foam floor, but it is usable finally. Planning on hitting the water soon for a trial run and seeing what needs to be changed or adjusted. Thinking already about adding another seat base at the very back of the platform to get the switches/cupholders back and more room up front. Also ordered some led strip lights to light up the inside so you can see what your doing after being blinded by the big lights. It was pretty obvious the first time i stood on the deck with the lights on and tried to walk around.

 

[A_White]

Took it out last week with a couple buddies and it did real good. We killed a ton of silvers and a couple commons. Lights were plenty bright in the very muddy water, they lasted a good 2.5 hours on one battery. Plan on adding at least one more to get some good run time when using the troller also, we just used the outboard this time to get the silvers moving.

 

[NORTHTEXASSLAYER]

I like your setup!! :tu:

 

[A_White]

Thanks, I've still got some tweaking to do, but I'm happy with it so far. It's cheap and ugly but serves its purpose.

I would still like to remove the wood floor, get more batteries, foam mat on the deck, take off or fix the jack plate, and a tool box storage/bench

 

[ILbowfisher15]

Looking good! That's a good idea of using a ladder as a light rail. :tu:

 

[A_White]

Looking good! That's a good idea of using a ladder as a light rail. :tu:

Thanks man, Its kinda ******* but it works good and is much lighter than building one out of EMT or wood since I dont have a welder. Pretty easy to find old ladders on craigslist too.


I got an old truck mat today for the front deck, and plan on doing the horse trailer mat in the floor like your boat has. Thanks for the idea.

 

[ILbowfisher15]

No problem man, keep us updated!

 

[A_White]

Well after being out of town for a couple weeks I get home and notice the boat still stinks... I had cleaned it about 3 times with bleach water since fishing the first time. After a closer look I noticed some maggots in the boat. Barf! So i figure the wood is soaked up all the fish slime and it will never go away. So, I start ripping out the floor, and find this...




So after many rinses and a gallon of bleach I'm hoping the smell is gone. Filled up the boat with about 6 inches of water and let the bleach water soak. No leaky rivets though.:tu:

 

[Crooks87]

Looks good man. How did u hook the brake cable up to use as the throttle?? I'm usually good at brain storming but can't picture how u turned a push button into a squeeze throttle lol.

 

[holters]

awsome boat, Best part is the Cup Holders. I would have to hide those orange extension cords because I trip. Alot.

 

[P&R_Carp_Slayer]

Looks real good for a first boat, it turned out alot cleaner than i thought it would when i saw the first picture of it lol, good job!

 

[A_White]

Looks real good for a first boat, it turned out alot cleaner than i thought it would when i saw the first picture of it lol, good job!

Thanks It was pretty ugly when I started out... Still ain't good looking by any means but I'm not embarrassed to pull it behind my truck anymore.(Which is almost always clean)

awsome boat, Best part is the Cup Holders. I would have to hide those orange extension cords because I trip. Alot.

Cup holders are handy. I've got an old truck bed mat on the front deck now, may run the wiring up under it.

Looks good man. How did u hook the brake cable up to use as the throttle?? I'm usually good at brain storming but can't picture how u turned a push button into a squeeze throttle lol.

I drilled a small hole in the side of the pedal and bolted the cable through it. Underneath the pedal is a spring on the cable with a crimp nut to set the tension (can also adjust it with the adjuster on the brake lever),and returns the troller to off when you let off the lever. Then I drilled a hole just big enough for the cable in the foot switch itself and crimped/soldered a fitting on the cable to hold it in place.

Kinda hard to explain but I'll get some pics of it. It works good so far, I was just afraid a small cheap switch that would fit on the handle would burn up under the load eventually and I'd rather fish than work on stuff when I do get a chance to go. It was free also. lol

 

[crfishhunter]

Looks good

 

[Crooks87]

I got ya bud. That's pretty legit and I'm probably going to try it lol. I like the fact u don't need to mess with a switch

 

[A_White]

I got ya bud. That's pretty legit and I'm probably going to try it lol. I like the fact u don't need to mess with a switch

Yeah I was going for the most simple and cheap setup. The lever is a 3/4 inch(i think) gas pipe flange and a piece of threaded pipe from lowes. I just brought in the bike lever and looked for something that would fit.

 

[ILbowfisher15]

You should do a write-up with some pics for your trolling motor setup. Would definitely make a nice alternative to using a steer stick with a bigfoot switch.

 

[A_White]

I keep meaning to get some pics of the troller, but deer season is in full swing. Spending most of my free time chasing them lately.

I did move the console and controls forward, and started cleaning up some of the wiring. Need to find a tool box asap, I'm sure sitting on a cooler will get old quick.

 

[ThiagoCalvin]

Congrats on your new boat! What type of fishing will you be doing, where you will be trolling? In my opinion you won't hurt your motor trolling slowly. Keep an eye on the plugs after every few runs to see if they are getting oiled up.