This is not going to be good for my wallet...?!?
Was given a gun - sold gun - bought boat off CL with cash left over. Guess you can say it was free?
Got the boat out last night for its maiden voyage. I was really happy with it. It sits really high on high on the water and I was able to push through some pretty skinny water. The thing I was most pleased about was the previous owner wasn't lying when he stated it was the driest boat he had fished out of in regards to leaks and the like. He reset a few rivets when he bought it 6 years ago and it was dry as a bone last night. Leak test - PASS!
After being out on the water last night a few of my temporary mods were good and a few need changing.
**TM - A motor is a MUST on this boat. rowing was a PITA. Trolling motor is #1 on the list in the coming weeks. PO already has a pigtail wired front to back for a TM and a battery box under the front casting deck. Hope to put some cash aside between now and late winter for a 9.9 as well.
Push Pole - was great! Couldn't have been easier to work with and it was much sturdier than I expected. Not bad for about $22 and a few hours invested researching DIY PP's.
Rod holders - 1" wide velcro strip placed on left side of front deck and left side back bench to snug up 3 fly rods and a small bungy to reinforce the reels from bouncing around while in transit - Will keep this idea and look into a better system but the placement was the test. Living with it for awhile to see. (I'll post pics tonight)
Casting deck/Storage - The PO built/put in a casting deck and floors both sides of middle bench seat. Floors and casting deck can be removed. I used the area under the casting deck as storage for life jackets and boat bag but getting to stuff was cumbersome and I will need quicker access to gear. Really liked being up on the front deck and poling while looking for fish!
Stability - You know? It was a little tippy as far as moving around front to back? But over all I was able to move around and not feel like I was going to fall out. Obviously standing in the back was way more stable than the front.. Just have to get my sea legs and not run to the front to cast to fishing hitting top water.. lol
Will having a little more weight in the boat help this settle it in.. battery up front.. etc. or is that the way it is? Totally livable and not canoe'ish by any means.. I know a flat bottom is more stable but I really like the depth of this boat. I feel safer in it with my kids than a JB. IMO
**Future Mod thoughts** (as of now)
Remove the middle section of the middle bench, making the 2 side sections storage. Kind of a walkway to the front without having to step over the bench. Or removing the middle bench all together. I like the look of this with the solid floor. (going for a skiff kind of look, I guess?)
Cut out a section in the top of back bench to add dry storage - small hatch type
leaving the front casting deck alone till I get better ideas as to how I will use it for fly fishing
I'll get some better pics of the floor and deck area in the next few days.
Was given a gun - sold gun - bought boat off CL with cash left over. Guess you can say it was free?
Got the boat out last night for its maiden voyage. I was really happy with it. It sits really high on high on the water and I was able to push through some pretty skinny water. The thing I was most pleased about was the previous owner wasn't lying when he stated it was the driest boat he had fished out of in regards to leaks and the like. He reset a few rivets when he bought it 6 years ago and it was dry as a bone last night. Leak test - PASS!
After being out on the water last night a few of my temporary mods were good and a few need changing.
**TM - A motor is a MUST on this boat. rowing was a PITA. Trolling motor is #1 on the list in the coming weeks. PO already has a pigtail wired front to back for a TM and a battery box under the front casting deck. Hope to put some cash aside between now and late winter for a 9.9 as well.
Push Pole - was great! Couldn't have been easier to work with and it was much sturdier than I expected. Not bad for about $22 and a few hours invested researching DIY PP's.
Rod holders - 1" wide velcro strip placed on left side of front deck and left side back bench to snug up 3 fly rods and a small bungy to reinforce the reels from bouncing around while in transit - Will keep this idea and look into a better system but the placement was the test. Living with it for awhile to see. (I'll post pics tonight)
Casting deck/Storage - The PO built/put in a casting deck and floors both sides of middle bench seat. Floors and casting deck can be removed. I used the area under the casting deck as storage for life jackets and boat bag but getting to stuff was cumbersome and I will need quicker access to gear. Really liked being up on the front deck and poling while looking for fish!
Stability - You know? It was a little tippy as far as moving around front to back? But over all I was able to move around and not feel like I was going to fall out. Obviously standing in the back was way more stable than the front.. Just have to get my sea legs and not run to the front to cast to fishing hitting top water.. lol
Will having a little more weight in the boat help this settle it in.. battery up front.. etc. or is that the way it is? Totally livable and not canoe'ish by any means.. I know a flat bottom is more stable but I really like the depth of this boat. I feel safer in it with my kids than a JB. IMO
**Future Mod thoughts** (as of now)
Remove the middle section of the middle bench, making the 2 side sections storage. Kind of a walkway to the front without having to step over the bench. Or removing the middle bench all together. I like the look of this with the solid floor. (going for a skiff kind of look, I guess?)
Cut out a section in the top of back bench to add dry storage - small hatch type
leaving the front casting deck alone till I get better ideas as to how I will use it for fly fishing
I'll get some better pics of the floor and deck area in the next few days.
