Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 22, 2012 23:16:51 GMT -5
Well, I finally got her this weekend. I couldn't be more happy with my purchase. I spent 500 for boat, trailer, motor, and trolling motor. I then went to wally-world and spent another $120 on the essentials. (anchor, cord, lights, paddles, battery tester, etc.) I then stopped by auto-zone to talk to some guys about bed liners, and they assured me that it was water proof so I picked a do-it-yourself kit up for 80 bucks. I figured that if there were any leaks that it would seal them, and It'll give me a little more confidence in shallow water when banging on rocks. Got home and put the bed liner on the bottom of the boat. The whole process spanned several days, cleaning, sanding, re-cleaning, taping off undesired areas, apply one coat, let dry, apply second coat, let dry, touch up, etc. While it was drying I went to Menard's and grabbed some 1.5" PVC for rod holders, some .5" PVC for wiring, various couplers and angles, and cleaner and glue. I attached the rod holders to the bench seats with heating duct hangers. I then ran wires to the navigation light, trolling motor, and for the Fish finder that I get, to the battery. I figured since most of the weight is going to be in the back of the boat, that I'd put the battery up front. Here are a few pics. Bed Liner Coating:   Rod Holders: I picked up a few 45 degree 1.5 angles for the pvc. I plan on adding them to the rod holders near the back to get a few rods out over the water and away from the boat. This will allow me to add Aaron's trolling bar across the back and spread 5+ rods. Still working on that though. All in time....and if we have a spring like last year I will have plenty of time.  The Essentials:  Wiring:  The T that I installed where the battery will be placed. I later hope to install a fish finder and a small instrument panel with toggle switches and various gages in a couple weeks.  Here's what it looked like when I decided to give up for the weekend.  After we get it in the water a time or two to establish that there are no leaks, I will probably paint it a hunter green. I also plan to add some bed liner or traction aiding material inside the boat. Might even add a decal or two. No rush Kip and Rollo. ;D |
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 22, 2012 23:28:08 GMT -5
looks like she will fish pretty good! that was a good deal, that trailor alone brand new would be around $500......
may I suggest putting about 3' of heavy chain on that anchor, makes a big difference.......and you might wanna get a second cheapo for anchoring without any current.....does she have a name yet??
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 22, 2012 23:34:21 GMT -5
looks like she will fish pretty good! that was a good deal, that trailor alone brand new would be around $500...... may I suggest putting about 3' of heavy chain on that anchor, makes a big difference.......and you might wanna get a second cheapo for anchoring without any current.....does she have a name yet?? I have plenty of old logging chains in the barn that should work fine. I'll throw one on. Any specific reason why it works better? Is it just the fact that it adds weight? I plan on getting a second anchor, just don't know if I wanna buy one or make my own yet. I was thinking of welding some 1/4 inch angle iron together and using it but I don't wanna crowd things up front. Nope, I cant decide on what to call her. Open to suggestions though. |
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 23, 2012 0:22:06 GMT -5
the chain will actually pull the anchor down and help it grab onto the bottom and anchor your boat more securely........just rope might work, but the chain will help out alot.........I keep my back anchor in the back usually, I lake fished alot so I had to use a front anchor and a back anchor when I wanted to still fish.....
I don't wanna name your rig, but just keep in mind "smoke bite" is already taken......lmao
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 23, 2012 0:30:06 GMT -5
Will do....no smoke bite then.lol I might just take her out unnamed for a while and let events dictate the name. We might find that it works well on the river, and name it the "river cat"....something along those lines. I'm in no hurry. It probably won't touch water till mid to late march.
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 23, 2012 0:36:54 GMT -5
oh yeah, that logging chain works good.........that's what i use too.......my buddy james down on the peedee named his boat rivercats.......well that was his old boat, his new toon is rivercats II lol............
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 23, 2012 0:41:14 GMT -5
i like the idea of waiting for an event or something memorable to name her after..................or Titty Bream Buster has a sweet ring to it..........just throwin it out there.........lmao
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 23, 2012 0:46:42 GMT -5
I can just see that in big bold letters across the side of the boat. "TITTY BREAM BUSTER" LOL
I'm sure it will catch its fair share of titty bream for those hungry flathead.
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Post by Smoothkip on Jan 23, 2012 7:09:23 GMT -5
Good lookin boat Sean! You sure put in some time to make it really nice and functional.
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Post by katfish on Jan 23, 2012 10:38:38 GMT -5
Sean
Looks pretty good. I think that later you will find that you want your electrical conduit up along the rail. Rain has a way of collecting in the bottom of a boat and it is hard on electrical fittings.
When ya get rich you will probably want driftmaster bases along the rail so the PVC fittings don't interfere with things in the boat.
I find my little boat a bit tailheavy also and often load my livewell forward enough to help it plane out easier.
A safety chain on an outboard is often a wise investment also.
My 14 ft boat is about 30 years old. I keep thinking next year I will need to replace the motor but it keeps chugging along.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 23, 2012 11:45:04 GMT -5
Sean Looks pretty good. I think that later you will find that you want your electrical conduit up along the rail. Rain has a way of collecting in the bottom of a boat and it is hard on electrical fittings. When ya get rich you will probably want driftmaster bases along the rail so the PVC fittings don't interfere with things in the boat. I find my little boat a bit tailheavy also and often load my livewell forward enough to help it plane out easier. A safety chain on an outboard is often a wise investment also. My 14 ft boat is about 30 years old. I keep thinking next year I will need to replace the motor but it keeps chugging along. I thought about running the wires up near the rail, but I didn't want to drill more holes than I had to in the side of the boat. Maybe I could use some sort of glue to secure the mounting brackets in place? I have looked into drift master rod holders and I plan on getting a few in a month or two. Maybe if the government surprises me with a healthy income tax return. ;D I didn't think about a safety chain for the motor. Our other motor has a mounting bracket that we drilled holes in the boat for, and secured it with heavy bolts. I will get a safety chain asap. This outboard is pushing 40 years I believe. Its a Ted Williams sears model, which I think was made in the 70's. It looks fairly easy to work on, so I'll use it until it will no longer run. Thanks |
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Post by Catfishrollo on Jan 23, 2012 13:01:17 GMT -5
Great buy Sean! It's always fun to set your boat up to your own likings. That was a great buy for 500 bucks in my opinion. Congrats, and good luck bro. rollo
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Post by rcbbracing on Jan 23, 2012 14:44:03 GMT -5
That was an amazing buy! And a heck of a lot of work to get done in a weekend...looks to be quite the capable rig for the money you have invested! Congrats!
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 26, 2012 1:21:54 GMT -5
I was referred to this website by a friend. www.tinboats.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21It's crazy what some of these guys can do to their Jon boats. Some of the modified jons are better than most modern bass boats. Got more ideas from that website than I can afford. Lol I saw a guy mount a transom mount trolling motor on the bow using a homemade bracket, so I think I'll give it a try. This will require me to run more wires for the trolling motor, but in the long run it will give me more room in the back for Aarons trolling bar. I'll leave wires in the back as well so if I ever fish solo I can control the trolling motor from the back bench. I want to try and make the boat as convenient as possible without loosing site of my purpose. Have a cheap lightweight cat boat. |
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Post by Skyline1506 on Jan 28, 2012 8:05:24 GMT -5
nice boat sean and at a great price. i like what you have done so far.
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