The Urban Fisherman Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Well I had high hopes that 2008 was going to be the year that I buy myself a new boat, but.... 1 Wedding + 1 new to us house = No new boat! We're buying this house off of my in-laws, the deal closes in a few weeks! We're pretty stolked as it's our first house... We put a pond in last fall to add a little scenery to our backyard wedding this summer. Still have to finish it off. Anyways, down to the real project..... I decided as a consolation to not buying a boat this season I was going to make some additions to my personal pontoon. This is the boat PRE-MODIFICATIONS In short here's the mods.... - Front to back platform - room to stand at the front (made from plywood I had at the house) - New Seat & Adjustable Pedestal - 3 rear rod holders made from leftover ABS pipe I had at the house - 1 Net holder at the back made from ABS - 1 Front Rod Holder - 1 cup holder made from 3" ABS, cut to be just the right size for a large double double... - Made a motor mount on the back by soldering 1" copper pipe onto the existing steel frame, and bolting a piece of plywood to it. Don't mind the basement - it's a work in progress... What's left? - Minn Kota Electric motor - Battery & bracket to hold it in place - Inexpensive graph Does anybody else have any suggestions? Cheers, UF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEREMY Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 All you need now is a pink pimp hat like Pete Maina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forrest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 That setup looks awesome! How do you row with the seat so high, does it adjust all the way down? Other ideas: lights? camera stand for self portraits? live well under the platform? (I think that is the coolest of the 3) forrest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFSC Kevin Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Hey UF, pretty neat mods but i'd be a tad worried on the normal plywood you used? should've opted for some marine plywood, especially since i assume it will be soaked quite often.. kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I love to see innovation UF. Well done. The backyard is looking good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 That is a sweet setup you got there!!! I think one of those floating wire mesh fish baskets would make an inexspensive livewell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigreddog Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Beer fridge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFSC Kevin Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) oh, and if you're sticking a motor on it, don't forget all the other things you gotta bring along.. pea-less wistle, life jacket, bailing device, 50ft bouyant heaving line, paddles(i see you have them anyways), flashlight and pleasure craft operator card! Edited March 19, 2008 by kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forrest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Hey UF, pretty neat mods but i'd be a tad worried on the normal plywood you used? should've opted for some marine plywood, especially since i assume it will be soaked quite often.. kevin Yes, leaning back on that chair only to have the base rip out of the wood would suck (happened to me). Would it be hard to seal the piece of plywood? That Marine plywood isn't cheap! forrest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidge Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 love it, good stuff. Whatd kind of motor you puttin on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) oh, and if you're sticking a motor on it, don't forget all the other things you gotta bring along.. pea-less wistle, life jacket, bailing device, 50ft bouyant heaving line, paddles(i see you have them anyways), flashlight and pleasure craft operator card! Motor or not... he probably needs all that stuff (less the operator card) just like a canoe or paddle boat. Paddle boat don't need the flashlight if you wear your life jacket.. figure that one out! Great stuff there UF.. the boat.. the yard/house and the understanding of what comes first in life...Family ! PS... maybe that Mercer guy has a boat somewhere, for the bigger water, that he can lend ya! Edited March 19, 2008 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Yes, leaning back on that chair only to have the base rip out of the wood would suck (happened to me). Would it be hard to seal the piece of plywood? That Marine plywood isn't cheap! forrest Thanks for the worries guys! I went without marine grade plywood as I already had 3/4" plywood at the house which I had used last year for the rear platform and it worked out great! I also doused it in tremclad rust paint which helps keep the water out. As for the seat ripping out, it ain't going anywhere as the bolts go through the plywood and into the pre-existing steel runners that are welted to the steel frame... And yepp, you need your pleasure craft operator card with this boat, and that black pouch on the right pontoon holds all the necessary gear! LIVEWELL: I wanted one, but I rarely keep any fish except for panfish so I might just bring a small cooler along if I plan to keep any. Lights - great idea, I'm hoping to add some as soon as they fit in my budget! Camera Stand - I'm thinking of adding something to my net holder! Thanks for the ideas and all guys! Muchly Appreciated! Keep 'em comin' Cheers, UF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 love it, good stuff. Whatd kind of motor you puttin on it? Just getting a 30lb thrust Minn Kota endura - had one for my inflatable boat back in highschool and was pleased with it. Mostly getting it because it's dirt cheap and i'm on a budget! haha cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puckhead Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Nice job! That looks fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Very cool UF!!! Looks like you'll be fishing in a little more comfort this year....with some nice little extras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarzan's Jane Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Where's the wife going to sit? I think you have done an awesome job...no need to get a boat for many years to come. haha Congrats on the new home...and upcoming wedding....love the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdrifter Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 That's just awesome! All you need is an electric motor and you're set!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Great fishing pontoon boat man !!!! looks great,thats some great ideas you had there,how about a portable graph?? !!!!!that would be the icing on the cake for sure,so then you could be on all those lakes & rivers and know the depth,the weed beds as well as structure,then you would have it all....good work & job well done !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setomonkey Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Sweet ride, you have done a great job of customizing your pontoon boat! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Fuzzy Dice and a barb wire license plate holder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashhopper Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 not sure if this was mentioned yet... Attach a fish finder / GPS unit ? A cradle holder for the baby? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Nice work, I never would have thought of all that. Have you tested it out in the pond yet? Maybe there is a new carer in store for you, or at least a tv show. ;-) Soooo... What's in the pond??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 You ever fish Harcourt park? You look familiar.....as well as the boat. Pretty slick rig fer sure! Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 (edited) not sure if this was mentioned yet... Attach a fish finder / GPS unit ? A cradle holder for the baby? lol The baby's already16 months old, walking and talking so no crib needed there! we did it all backwards...baby then house, then marriage! lol Nice work, I never would have thought of all that. Have you tested it out in the pond yet? Maybe there is a new carer in store for you, or at least a tv show. ;-) Soooo... What's in the pond??? I'd love to test it out in the pond but it's still frozen over - cept for the small hole I keep in it to add oxygen for the bluegills... You ever fish Harcourt park? You look familiar.....as well as the boat. Pretty slick rig fer sure! Sinker nope, can't say I've fished Harcourt Park...don't even know where that is! I mostly fished a small conservation area near my place last summer, but I'm going to venture out into long point bay this season.... port rowan is just down the road... A couple people mentioned graph's.... I'd rather not get a portable as they're a little more pricey than the non-portables, and besides i'm going to have the 12v battery already for the electric motor. The only reason I MIGHT get a portable is so I can use it on the ice in the winter....still trying to figure that one out! thanks again all! Edited March 20, 2008 by The Urban Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discophish Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 A helmet, adrenaline, and some heavy white water to get that awesome boat surfing down some rapids! I love it! Great job on everything and a fine idea. Congrats to all your accomplishments. You should give 'er a name and stamp the pontoon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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