[bradysyde]

Well after searching for a few months on a new boat I was dead set on an 1860. Up to this point i've been fishing out of a 16ft v hull and too many people were wanting to go at one time, I also wanted something to take on the river for catfishing. A cheap one came up earlier this week and called the guy immediately. It was sold off craigslist within 8 hours, before I could even have a chance to look at it. Low and behold the next post up was a 2011 tracker 2072 hull with galvanized trailer. It was only posted for a few hours but I wanted to get in touch with the guy ASAP to at least take a look at it. Guy brought it up to MN from Louisiana as it was a repo boat. I have yet to see another 2072 on craigslist for sale in MN so I knew I had to make my decision quick. After bargaining with the price I got it to what I wanted. It was a little bit over my price range for a boat but i'd rather not have to upgrade sizes again in a few years. Ill be fabricating everything on it from the HPS lights to the removable deck etc... It will be a long build but i'd figure with some pictures.

<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/user/bradysyde/media/20160727_180014.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/bradysyde/20160727_180014.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160727_180014.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/user/bradysyde/media/20160727_185601.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/bradysyde/20160727_185601.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160727_185601.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/user/bradysyde/media/20160727_185528.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/bradysyde/20160727_185528.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160727_185528.jpg"/></a>

 

[eshaw]

Now you have the bones, good luck with the build.

 

[bradysyde]

Thank you sir. I'm not gonna lie I was downright shocked when I saw how large this boat was.

 

[Kayakfish1]

That'll make a nice build, looks like it's in pretty good shape. I'm hoping to pick up a 1672 here shortly to start on my own boat

 

[bradysyde]

Awesome shape. Few holes drilled here and there but not a dent in it.

 

[bradysyde]

My only dilemma is going flush or raised deck. I want to keep two seats up front regardless for when i'm fishing on the river. So I could either make a flush deck with an elite style light rail or goes to a removable deck just enough to clear my lights. Help keep bugs away and have it be removable with a few bolts and electrical plugs...

 

[Buckmark311]

removable raised deck.... went flush and regret not being higher.

 

[bradysyde]

Good to know. Thank you sir.

 

[Kayakfish1]

I built a raised deck for my dad's boat that I'm shooting off of until I get my own boat, I've shot some without a raised deck but it makes a world of difference especially if your shooting during the day

 

[Chiroguyf250]

I like having a raised deck to put the lights under seems to help keep the bugs down. But i went flush and i liked shooting off the flush deck 100x more

Randy

 

[chance]

after being on a few different rigs I've found being about 30" off the water is the perfect height it's high enough to see good during the day but you're not extremely far off the water at night

 

[bowmandan]

You already have the flush deck. Float it and decide if you want to go higher or if the height is fine, expand the deck

 

[Payphone Jones]

I like having a raised deck to put the lights under seems to help keep the bugs down. But i went flush and i liked shooting off the flush deck 100x more

Randy

Same for me. Raised deck is in the way on a multipurpose boat. Congrats on the upgrade!

 

[CarpCowboy]

Congrats!

 

[bradysyde]

With how bad the bugs get here i'm thinking raised just enough to clear the lights, probably 12". And after talking and doing some research i've decided to make this a kicker setup.

 

[Buckmark311]

ideally, raised just enough for the lights is perfect that way you can wire the lights clean, don't have much room for weeds/slop to get tossed into the boat when pulling fish in, no issue with trolling motor to light clearance, still close to the water for night shooting, higher up from the factory deck for day shooting, can see over the deck when running the big motor, extra height for bin storage. LOTS of pro's for a slightly raised deck.

 

[bradysyde]

Well the hull is rated for 60hp, would that be severely underpowered? And if I went with a 90 would I have to reinforce the transom?

 

[Alinder]

Just to make sure it isn't underpowered I'd go with a 250 :laugh: I think a 90 would be fine because generally those are just recommended weights. Wouldn't hurt having more reinforcement either but don't know if its nescesary

 

[bradysyde]

If all goes well I will be picking up a 90s Johnson 115 on saturday with 2 props and 2 sets of controls. Couldn't beat the price. Once that's mounted and running I will be reinforcing the transom with gussets and finding a small kicker to put on it.

 

[redriverbowfishing]

I had one same year watch the floor all the stringers broke out on it they had some issues