Recent content by wingsnhammers

You could run an electric fuel pump. You don't need anything crazy for those little motors. I had a 2-4psi electric pump on my 10HP johnson and it did fine. And I hear you on the weather! It's just now getting warm enough to get out on the water and try to wrangle a few fish in the boat.

That's a great idea! I never would have thought of the drain cover.

I have a friend with a fairly new 1860 Grizzly center console with a 60 horse Merc 4 stroke. That boat is pretty heavy, but that motor pushes it very well. I wouldn't expect 60 mph out of that setup, but it is a solid, smooth, quiet motor that will get you down the lake. I guess it depends on...

That's a pretty nice boat! Should do well for cats and bass. Use it for a bit and make a list of what you do and do not want in the finished product.

I'll Second Dr Nips Suggestion. Weldbilts are all aluminum (no wood) and have tons of options. A standard 1648 can be had with a flat nose in .80 and price will be similar to the Alumacraft 1648 NCS. The Weldbilt will be a little heavier, though.

I've seen people use jack stands and sturdy saw horses, too. I like the sound of the barrel idea.

For a project like that I would just re-install rivets. I dunno if anyone has mentioned, but I would only use solid rivets for this. I have seen more than a few cores of blind (pop) rivets work out.

What HP is the 96? That may help a few folks be able to help you.

Backwoodslanding.com can order what you want. They sell Weldbilt boats (all aluminum, all welded) and aren't too bad on their prices, either. It would be a heck of a drive for you, though.

I don't see why it would be a bad idea. That little boat looks to have a good bit of support and its not like you are completely removing it. I think you would be fine to cut a hatch in it for a battery.

I love the layout of that boat! It looks to be a good all-arounder for fishing and hunting. I think that I would make a low "railing" to bolt the lights onto. Set up like that, your lights would have a bit more elevation and it would allow to you disconnect the whole setup in one piece...

That rig should scoot! Maybe one of these days I will be able to enjoy the new motor smell.

Let the mods begin! Just take your time. Measure twice (or 4 times) and cut once. And post plenty of pics. We love pictures!

Lookin good, man! I can't wait for season to open here. We get all kinds of puddle ducks and divers on my lake. We can shoot cans, bluebills, ringers, bufflehead, redheads, and goldeneye one day, and hunt for puddlers the next and the spots not be more than a mile away.

Wow, looks nice! That transom area looks...complicated. Can't wait to see the finished product.