Sam, thanks for coming out! Below is a little closer look at the frame for the front deck.
There will be a panel either in the back or middle that will control the navigational lights, LED storage compartment lights, livewell timer. The overall weight of the front deck is around 30lbs and it is completely removable.
Can't wait to finish this up
There will be a panel either in the back or middle that will control the navigational lights, LED storage compartment lights, livewell timer. The overall weight of the front deck is around 30lbs and it is completely removable.
Can't wait to finish this up
Looks good Sam. Looking forward to seeing the finished result. Are you getting the livewell premade or building it?
I'm currently working on restoring my bass boat with a deck extension, complete recarpet, electronic upgrades, etc. One thing winter is good for is getting these projects done to enjoy in the spring!
I'm currently working on restoring my bass boat with a deck extension, complete recarpet, electronic upgrades, etc. One thing winter is good for is getting these projects done to enjoy in the spring!
Dan and I are building it. I thought of the very simple concept based on things I've seen from guys on here and the internet. The only original concept I have is using a standard straight head aerator spray bar.
It's really only to save real estate inside the cooler. Less attaching and drilling into the plastic too.
I had pretty much everything already except for the hose clamps, filter, and that spray head. Hopefully don't need thru hull fitting and this will work out. The problem is, the cooler is huge so it's pretty thick (I think around 2") so standard thru hull pieces aren't long enough.
It's really only to save real estate inside the cooler. Less attaching and drilling into the plastic too.
I had pretty much everything already except for the hose clamps, filter, and that spray head. Hopefully don't need thru hull fitting and this will work out. The problem is, the cooler is huge so it's pretty thick (I think around 2") so standard thru hull pieces aren't long enough.
Sam, I am so psyched for you brother! You're in great hands in Dan from Team Beaver Fever!
This may be the way to go if I can't buy me a whole bass boat this off season (Feb or March at latest). The wife wants a new living room set and I promised her a vacation this year too. Man I am I in a pickle!
This may be the way to go if I can't buy me a whole bass boat this off season (Feb or March at latest). The wife wants a new living room set and I promised her a vacation this year too. Man I am I in a pickle!
thanks roger. all of those guys are great and have really helped out. northshore is always welcome aboard. good luck with the bass boat. i want a truck as well but that would probably cause problems haha
here are a few more details around transportation and loading the boat up onto a conventional sedan:
a bunch of people have one or have recommended it, but i have a simple class 1 trailer hitch and bed extender on the way. the bed extender can also be attached to act as a "roof rack extender" so i'll be able to lower the boat down right onto that instead of using a futon cover on my trunk. it will also add on a third layer of support to the roof rack and help distribute weight. the boat can sit back on my car a bit and help with wind resistance and visibility.
after looking at the deck and speaking with damon about his setup and recommendations, i decided to completely drop the "budget" part of the boat and buy a Minn Kota 50 PowerDrive V2 50-lb thrust bow mount motor. not only will the mount attach to the deck but it will save a ton of room up front, i won't have to worry about the rigid wire going to the foot control, and i'll be able to quickly disconnect the entire thing from my boat to dump into my car using the quick disconnect bracket. i'll also be able to put the pedal down wherever i want and just coil the cables up.
i had one hesitation about getting one...the 48" motor shaft length (yes shawn, i said shaft), but damon can easily cut it down if need be.
setting all of this stuff up will be part of the last steps and shouldn't be a lot of trouble. i have everything on the way and will pack it up to bring over to the shop.
here are a few more details around transportation and loading the boat up onto a conventional sedan:
a bunch of people have one or have recommended it, but i have a simple class 1 trailer hitch and bed extender on the way. the bed extender can also be attached to act as a "roof rack extender" so i'll be able to lower the boat down right onto that instead of using a futon cover on my trunk. it will also add on a third layer of support to the roof rack and help distribute weight. the boat can sit back on my car a bit and help with wind resistance and visibility.
after looking at the deck and speaking with damon about his setup and recommendations, i decided to completely drop the "budget" part of the boat and buy a Minn Kota 50 PowerDrive V2 50-lb thrust bow mount motor. not only will the mount attach to the deck but it will save a ton of room up front, i won't have to worry about the rigid wire going to the foot control, and i'll be able to quickly disconnect the entire thing from my boat to dump into my car using the quick disconnect bracket. i'll also be able to put the pedal down wherever i want and just coil the cables up.
i had one hesitation about getting one...the 48" motor shaft length (yes shawn, i said shaft), but damon can easily cut it down if need be.
setting all of this stuff up will be part of the last steps and shouldn't be a lot of trouble. i have everything on the way and will pack it up to bring over to the shop.
SAM YOUR BOAT IS COMING ALONG NICE!!! WE DID MOST OF THE WIRING. FRONT MOUNT FOR TROLLER IS COMPLETE AND UPHOLSTERED. DAMON WAS WORKING ON UPHOLSTERING THE DECK AND COVERS. WE ALSO CUT THE ACCESS FOR SWITCH PANEL AND RAN POWER TO IT .YOUR GONNA NEED THE LIVE WELL TIMER!!!IT'S COMING ALONG GREAT I MAY HAVE TO BUY A 12' THIS YEAR AND DO ONE NEXT WINTER HA HA . IT'S LIKE 5:30 RIGHT NOW DAMON'S PROB BUSY CARPETING . YOUR GONNA LOVE THE BEAVER FEVER MOD JON BOAT LUXERY MODEL FOR THE COMFORT.IT'S THE SMALLEST BASS BOAT YOU CAN BUY WITH ALL THE TOYS. HE EVEN INSTALLED A SOCKET UP FRONT FOR CELL PHONE CHARGER AND AUX ITEMS.
SMART MOVE ON GETTING THE MINN KOTA GONNA BE NICE TO HAVE THAT ON THE RIVER LOL
DON'T WORRY SHAWN YOUR ON THE LIST KID LOL
SMART MOVE ON GETTING THE MINN KOTA GONNA BE NICE TO HAVE THAT ON THE RIVER LOL
DON'T WORRY SHAWN YOUR ON THE LIST KID LOL
You guys kick serious ass.
That's some other information I forgot to add. The very front raised deck is permanent and will be for the motor and we'll mount the fish finder bracket up there as well since the Humminbird is a quick disconnect. I'll keep the wire connections loose without screwing the panel down so I can quickly unplug it and take it off of the boat.
It will also have a quick disconnect socket / plug for the motor.
And to hold the anti-fatigue mats to the floor we'll use some spray adhesive to keep things simple.
That's some other information I forgot to add. The very front raised deck is permanent and will be for the motor and we'll mount the fish finder bracket up there as well since the Humminbird is a quick disconnect. I'll keep the wire connections loose without screwing the panel down so I can quickly unplug it and take it off of the boat.
It will also have a quick disconnect socket / plug for the motor.
And to hold the anti-fatigue mats to the floor we'll use some spray adhesive to keep things simple.
First off thanks to Sam (For trusting me with his boat!), Dan, Joe, and Smoke for lending a hand on this one! Was alot of fun Saturday working on it, and with Smoke throwing the assist today we were able to make some good progress.
By the time the smoke cleared today, lol the decks were all fabbed up and carpeted, I just have to wrap up the lids hopefully tomorrow after work. As Smoke said we ran all the wires again and cut in the switch panel (taped in for reference only!) for all of it, you'll notice the flush mount ports up front for Sams troller and nav lights. This deck stays with the boat as it serves to hold his quick release for the trolling motor and his electronics, this way he can still use all them wether or not he is running the main deck. I have friends that fish and duck hunt so they run the main deck during fishing season and remove it for hunting season, but they still have a troller and all there major accessories with them no matter the configuration. Before long Ill talk Sam into the benefits of running two batteries..... hahaha!
For those interested Ill be dragging the Jon Boat I started in this post and doing the budget wiring install and final touch up and accessories install. Ill try to post up as many pics and info as I can. The friend I built it for used it all summer then returned it so i could keep going! Thanks again to all that have had a hand in this so far, sucks we aren't fishing but at least we can make some serious boats in the off season!
By the time the smoke cleared today, lol the decks were all fabbed up and carpeted, I just have to wrap up the lids hopefully tomorrow after work. As Smoke said we ran all the wires again and cut in the switch panel (taped in for reference only!) for all of it, you'll notice the flush mount ports up front for Sams troller and nav lights. This deck stays with the boat as it serves to hold his quick release for the trolling motor and his electronics, this way he can still use all them wether or not he is running the main deck. I have friends that fish and duck hunt so they run the main deck during fishing season and remove it for hunting season, but they still have a troller and all there major accessories with them no matter the configuration. Before long Ill talk Sam into the benefits of running two batteries..... hahaha!
For those interested Ill be dragging the Jon Boat I started in this post and doing the budget wiring install and final touch up and accessories install. Ill try to post up as many pics and info as I can. The friend I built it for used it all summer then returned it so i could keep going! Thanks again to all that have had a hand in this so far, sucks we aren't fishing but at least we can make some serious boats in the off season!