[Scott07/OH]

Alright guys, this is my first thread on here and wanted to say hello. I've been day-bowfishing for years now and recently got into the night fishing, mostly with a spotlight from shore. I recently picked up this 1652 Monarch and would like some insight on setting it up with a light system. I'm new to this side of bowfishing and will take any help I can get.

Here's some pics... Also a pic of my first Ohio gar @ 45inches

Here's what I'm thinking. I've been doing plenty of research on here and would like to run between 12-15 LED lights. I would like to keep the flush deck and add a rail system out of aluminum tubing. I'm not sure how high to make it or how to attach it to the boat/decking, but I want something that is removable. Any pics or plans of a rail that would suit this setup would help greatly.

Ideally I'll make it in 3 sections, (side,side,front) so I can remove them when traveling to protect my lights and for normal fishing.

I will be removing the electric anchor and I need to move the trolling motor. Should the trolling motor be mounted in the center? Then how should the rail be mounted around it, split?

I need to rewire the bow light.

I need to remove the front guide roller and replace it with a flat bunk for a flat bottom, this will remove the 2x4 on top which keeps the boat from bouncing.

Will I encounter any problems with weight? I have yet to have the boat in the water.

I've got a 55gal drum ready and scrap carpet to put down.

I'd like to have a bowhanger someplace.

Trying to keep it simple for the first year.

Thanks a million guys, looking to start rolling with the project asap. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Scott

 

[bellevillecarp]

welcome to bfc from wv nice boat i have 16' monarc as well your mite be newer though start simple like you said nothin fancy is the way i started and im in the process of addin hps lites now and redoin my deck

 

[zimboydevon]

Just got a 16ft and did a deck myself....

 

[zimboydevon]

not sure what happened there with all the pics Ill try again.....Made the deck outa 1in square galvanized tubing with a plywood floor and 7 55w 12v HID xenon lights.....Left a 16in gap in front rail for the troller. And yea I was worryed about weight too....My deck with troller weighs about 200lbs and I took it out for the first time last week with 4 guys...had us all up front without a problem.... sigh of relief lol

 

[whiteriverrambo]

without a raised deck i would center the troller then make two L-shaped rails. i see your a oneida guy so i would draw and see where the lower limb clears. then make your leds hang from the rail ofcourse. i made mine this way out of 1"aluminum tube right above my knee cap then wrapped it in pipe isolation for comfort. is your deck wood? make a plate at the end of each leg to use a few screws. if its not weld 6 small tabs that you can run one bolt threw each. make sure to triangulate the rails for strength. good luck.

 

[nick]

there are many different way to rig your boat. this is my opinion
1.first off i wouldnt use carpet did that a long time ago and during the summer it smells terrible and hard to keep clean from all the fish blood and scales
2.I dont run a troller i just run a fan but others that do always put troller in middle so they can have more range from standing on the sides.
3. rails are rails some love them some hate them, i personally dont really feel the need for them iv shot over them before and it sucks when your arrow is stuck and you need to bend down or when your trying to pull a big fish on board they got in my way just personal preference
4.i have twelve leds spaced 9 inch center to center with a 160 amp hour battery that will run 5+ hours and that s with the electric start fan running too
5. if your wanting it simple what i did is build a metal frame and laid wood on it, then with self tappin screws attached the lights with the bracket they come with
6.your deck is a decent sizefrom the pic if i was trying to save some cash i would shoot over it first and see how i like it before adding a new deck

 

[nick]

i dont have close ups yet but in my old threads i showed my build start to finnish, but this is what twelve leds mounted on the flush deck of a 1452 look like

 

[Scott07/OH]

Thanks for the help so far guys!