Let’s talk about boats
- This topic has 19 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated Nov 14, 2006 at 6:03 pm by
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Zach, the boat you describe is certainly do-able, the blazer pictured would be a good platform to build on. Several of my friends have them – pretty nice rigs. Most are rigged without the console (tiller steering) due to weight considerations as jets are horribly inefficient – 30% loss as compared to a propeller. For rock protection, UHMW, an extremely durable plastic composite ( think trailer rollers ) is being applied to the bottom of aluminum boats by several builders with success. Google ‘Snyder boats’ or ‘Rock proof boats’ for the lowdown on some seriously tough river rigs, complete with tunnel hulls.
A properly set up river jon is a joy to flycast out of – the entire boat becomes a giant stripping basket,
and the additional height of eye allows you to see fish and features in the water that would be undetectable if wading.
A foot operated trolling motor is a ‘must have’ in my mind, it does take some practice, but eventually, slipping slowly downstream becomes second nature. Everybody gets to fish, no rowing required.
Most everything you desire in an aluminum rig is already being done – the eastern smallmouth guys have been utilizing such boats for years – happy hunting !I’m not exactly sure what kind of rivers you plan on running in it but I think you should also consider just getting a Carolina Skiff J16 or something similar, aluminum is noisy.
You just might be thinking too hard with the hidden below deck trolling motor thing.
Zach
Since you’re going for the ultimate fishing craft, don’t mount a single trolling motor on the bow, it just snags your line. Instead go for the Homossassa Rig- dual trolling motors on the transom, controlled by foot activated air switiches on the poling platform. We’re talking muscle!!
Dunfly, There’s a variety of those shallow mud running engines called Go-Devils that seem to be more popular over this way.
Dunfly, There’s a variety of those shallow mud running engines called Go-Devils that seem to be more popular over this way. I saw something once where these guys were making them out of Harley Davidson V-Twin engines. Crazy for sure.
The Gatortail is a knockoff of the Go-Devil.
Zach,
I have sketched, doodled and “designed” the boat you have illustrated here many times with few differences.
Ron –
First of all, are you Grumpy?
Second, please do report on how you do and whether you can make this work out for you.
I am very grumpy, according to my wife, step children, dogs, employee, customers and some fishing partners, but I am not Grumpy.
Yeah, an above deck compartment for it like those fish and ski boats have would be sweet, but anything where it pops out from below the hull is just asking for a headache I would think.
I think yall are trying to reinvent the wheel. My,,, well, Ron’s Minn Kota Powerdrive has a very small footprint and was never in my way at all. Most all the boats I have owned had the motor mounted in the extreme front V of the boat and they worked out just fine. It’s just not very often you want to stand or fish that far on front of the boat. To make a closet mount would do one of two things. 1 it will eat up space under the floor or 2 it will eat up space above the deck. Both variations will add weight and that is where it most likely dies from a manufacturing standpoint. I think if you don’t see a boat that suits you from the factory buy a hull with the design you like and build the interior yourself.
BD wrote
“Rusty, I think the advantages of aluminum over glass is that it’s lighter and more rugged.
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