25 1/2' Fishtoon build

[Bmac]

This has been one of those evolving projects,that I've been dinking with for 3 yrs working with out of pocket cash. Back when I paid way too much for this beatup old 24' toon I really didn't know what I wanted to do with it. Started out by cleaning the barnacles off the tubes,which sat in the water for many seasons. Dang that was a lot of work!

I then found a deal on some new furniture. Installed that along with a big trolling motor,big lowrance,downriggers,and a tune on the Honda 50. Had it about a week from launching,when I stood back and realized this wasn't at all what I wanted. Looked like heck,too slow,wasn't stout enough to take the abuse I'd give it,I don't like carpet or cushy couches,and knew it wouldn't fish like I wanted. Back to the drawing board.....

This album will show you the progression of this project to date. At this time it really is a clean slate,and I'm not locked in on the exact layout or finished look yet. If I've done things right when I'm finished it should run out at around 40 mph,bank into turns,take rough water,drift decent,and be different from the cookie cutter boats by building it myself. Spring is coming up,and I want to launch it this yr.

my 25 1/2' fishtoon project

 

[Bmac]

Whether or not I use this furniture this is kinda what I'm headed for on a layout. A nice open deck with walk around at all angles. For a fence I'm getting ready to buy some 1 1/2" tubing. One tube maybe 16"-18" off the deck,and the other an 1" above the deck to let water run across. Then go with a canvas filler around 1"-1 1/2" smaller than each opening (to help let wind through),with lots of grommets for a rope winding like they do on T-top towers. Speaking of which I'm looking at building or modifying a factory T-top with a larger top,with canvas matching the fence. I want shade,but the bimini tops would get in the way of fishing.

I'm looking at using Line-X on the deck to knock down the glare. Not sure either if I'll use the big cooler I made into a baittank/livewell on the deck,or use that for truck trasporting bait. I like the grayline bait tank,but without going to the 125 gal. model they really aren't long enough for a catfish livewell.

 

[gillhunter]

This looks like a really interesting project! I see it's a tritoon so it should be able to handle "big water". Looks like you're going to end up with a really wide center console. Welcome aboard! I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[JasonLester]

Looks awesome. I just looked at your album...man you've done some work... adding a tube had to be an undertaking. Starting to look like a fishing boat now though. How do you think that diamond plate will do when wet?


Looking forward to pics with the railing done etc.

=D>

 

[TNtroller]

this otta be a good one to watch, was thinking someone started a build on a smaller 3 toon last summer but haven't seen anything on it in a good while. GL

 

[hsiftac]

I wish I had one of those to catfish off of, that would be fishing in comfort. Awesome job with adding the 3rd toon, it should fly with that 150. Do you do the metal work yourself?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I'd like to set one up for duck hunting.

 

[Bmac]

Gill, it is as wide as I can legally pull it down the road without permits. It started out life with a 92"x21' deck. It now has a 102"x24' deck. The only thing original now is the outer tubes. Well, except I added lifting strakes to those. LOL

I got to looking at the original frame. What a joke! Stringers were on 24" centers,and were racked 1" out of square. I now have new stringers on 12" centers, 8" centers on the back 4' and front 2'. Plus added a rim frame to help the twist from angling waves. All looks heavy,but I scaled it as seen in the album. Frame and tubes weigh in at only 1,100 lbs.

Thanks Jason, wasn't too hard adding the center tube. Although I did add a 1/4"x2 1/2" C-channel above it's mounting bracket to add strength and space it down like I wanted. The outer tubes are 23"x24',and the center tube is 25"x25'-6". It sits 6" ahead of the outers to help smooth wave entry,and 12" further back to add bouyancy plus more leverage to lift the bow. The extra diameter and being dropped 3" lower than the outer tubes should let it bank into turns more like a mono hull. I only added lifting strakes to the inside of the outer tubes to let it roll into turns. I went with 6" wide strakes there to compensate. We'll see how it all works. Biggest trick was getting everything lined up right.

The diamond plating isn't slick when wet,but it's a lil sharp for the knees. I am planning to Line-X the surface,so I do question if that gets slick? Haven't ever done that before. Believe I can have grit added to the coating,not positive on that.

hsiftac, yea, doing all the work myself. I'm stubborn that way. :mrgreen:

 

[JasonLester]

The diamond plating isn't slick when wet,but it's a lil sharp for the knees. I am planning to Line-X the surface,so I do question if that gets slick? Haven't ever done that before. Believe I can have grit added to the coating,not positive on that.

Not sure about Line-X brand but I know a few on here have used Truck bed liner...frome what I have seen it doesn't get slick. I think Rustoleum and others have spray on liner too.... I actually did this on some boxes I setup to go on my motorcycle for long trips. It was just stuff from the automotive deptat walmart but turned out great.

 

[Bmac]

That'd be a lot of rattle cans to do my project! I'm wanting to use a fairly light color,not sure how the color match would be from can to can. It's my understanding that they have to use a special primer to get it to stick to polished aluminum. Don't know if it's just a self etching primer,or something exclusive to the Line-x brand.

Currently trying to decide if I'm going to bend the tubing for the railing myself,or just buy pre-bent and weld them on. Aluminum tubing can be a lil tricky to bend unless you can score the right alloys. An electrician buddy of mine has a Greenlee conduit bender that should make the bends.

 

[JMichael]

Looking forward to watching this build. But enough is enough. I've seen "album" mentioned several times already. I've looked and looked and can't find a link posted for any album. So I'll just give up and ask, where is it?

 

[Bmac]

It's at the bottom of the 1st post. Your glasses must be worse off than mine. Need a new script.

Here does this help, :mrgreen:

my 25 1/2' fishtoon project

 

[JMichael]

It would probably help with if I'd actually put the glasses on something besides the table. #-o But what can I say except "I HATE WEARING GLASSES". And that includes sun glasses. I've never felt comfortable with them on. But in my own defense, you substituted text for the link, and I was looking for a link like the one in my sig. :lol: Thanks.

 

[JasonLester]

That'd be a lot of rattle cans to do my project! I'm wanting to use a fairly light color,not sure how the color match would be from can to can. It's my understanding that they have to use a special primer to get it to stick to polished aluminum. Don't know if it's just a self etching primer,or something exclusive to the Line-x brand.

Currently trying to decide if I'm going to bend the tubing for the railing myself,or just buy pre-bent and weld them on. Aluminum tubing can be a lil tricky to bend unless you can score the right alloys. An electrician buddy of mine has a Greenlee conduit bender that should make the bends.

Yeah with as much as you have I would go with something like Line-X or whatever. Unless you have some place do it for you (spray in type) The rattle cans worked good on my stuff (no color differences) but I used black only. I've never seen the lighter color at a store localy.

As for the tube bending. Aluminum I'm sure you'll figure it out. I've bent some stuff for different projects but never aluminum...I'd love to learn to weld it. I've always said if I have a welder I would be dangerous...I love making stuff but usually use wood.

Jason

 

[fool4fish1226]

That is one really nice tune =D> . Great work. Can't wait to see the finished product. Be sure to keep us updated

 

[Bmac]

OK, I'm back at it after many many distractions. #-o Finally going to get to finish this project over the next month (give or take).

I've been running conduit,hose,pulling wires,and rigging. Pulled around 250' of tinned wire,all in conduit.

I just about have the console done
the battery/oil tank box is finished
battery charger hooked up
fuel tank installed inside the center tube
mercury is hooked up and ready to fire
trolling motor mounted and working
the hydr. jackplate and hydr. steering installed
LED nav and dock lights hung under the deck
back livewell (captain's bench) done
2 transducers mounted (3 counting the minnkota ducer up front)
and 3 out of 5 pumps plumbed and wired.

This weekend I'm going to attempt to bend 2"x1/8" aluminum tubing for the railing. Starting to get excited now that I can see the end. My best guess on a prop should be arriving tomorrow.

I uploaded more pics into the album linked in my 1st post.

 

[fool4fish1226]

I love it =D> what a great boat =D>

 

[moberg12]

Love it!! My neighbor has an old pontoon frame sitting on his property and you are giving me lots of ideas!! [-X

 

[Bmac]

Love it!! My neighbor has an old pontoon frame sitting on his property and you are giving me lots of ideas!! [-X

Ha, it all starts so innocent,then comes the "what-if's". Hope you and the Mrs. are solid. :mrgreen:

 

[moberg12]

Love it!! My neighbor has an old pontoon frame sitting on his property and you are giving me lots of ideas!! [-X

Ha, it all starts so innocent,then comes the "what-if's". Hope you and the Mrs. are solid. :mrgreen:

I'm Single!!..Just a girlfriend that knows better than to ask. It also helps that she spends lots of time out of town, you married guys should look into a situation like this 8)