Check out my new skinny water rig:

[Pete D.]

I live 10 mins from skinny water so I found me a good all-welded 1648 Polar Kraft with a 20hp Merc factory jet. (20hp out of the jet)



Motor and boat were in such great shape I just could not pass it up. Found a buyer for my jon boat in 2 days, and got this girl for a great price.



We like to keep it light up the rivers here. This little motor only weighs in at 125lbs. It is pullstart so no need for a starter motor and a battery. I also took the trolling motor and front battery off unless I will use it somewhere I actually need it.



She planed out great with a top speed of 18mph with the following load: Boat (330lbs.) motor (125lbs.) 2 batteries (100lbs.) trolling motor (25lbs.) cooler (10lbs.) two anchors (25lbs.) and two people (310lbs.) for a total weight of 925lbs. I'm not kidding, we were running in 6-8" of water with no issues at all.



Next time out I brought a bigger bud with me. He weighs 50lbs. more. Boat still planed out well, but I could tell if I had added maybe another 100lbs. she would not have been doing so well. The weight up front brought the bow down some and my jet spray was coming out of the water more than I would have liked. Maybe if I play with trim it will help.



Anyways, shes no speed demon, but this light little boat will hum up and down the rivers with no issues. Running the rapids is pretty fun. Flathead season is here and I am going to milk every minute of it. Simplicity is key here. Other boat is about as complex as it gets Here she is:

[mwardncsu]

so, is this for sale??

[Pete D.]

Well, everything has a price tag my friend!! But I'd like to keep her. Are there some nice skinny water spots on SML that this boat would allow access to?


I put two 5 gallon water coolers on this boat with bubble boxes that will keep bream/shad alive for hours. Nothing too technical, but will allow for some bait capacity in the small boat.

I am hoping to get the transom lifted and tunnel the hull so that I can get through even tighter waters. The local guy out here (James River Jets) said that he will tunnel the hull and lift the transom for $550. Cant beat that!! I am also going to get him to weld 1/2" rod holder bases down to the side rails so I can screw my rod holders right into em.

[mwardncsu]

Because I'm thinking you posted this in the wrong section

[Pete D.]

Aug 24, 2016 14:46:06 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Because I'm thinking you posted this in the wrong section

Hahaha, sure did. Maybe you can move it for me??

[mwardncsu]

Aug 24, 2016 14:49:44 GMT -5 Pete D. said:

Aug 24, 2016 14:46:06 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Because I'm thinking you posted this in the wrong section

Hahaha, sure did. Maybe you can move it for me??

done

[fatdaddy]

Sweet piece right there Pete !! We like to keep Mward on his toes !! Hes trieng to keep us in line !!! Hes a great Guy !!But good luck with that LOL!!

[Pete D.]

Aug 24, 2016 19:10:58 GMT -5 fatdaddy said:

Sweet piece right there Pete !! We like to keep Mward on his toes !! Hes trieng to keep us in line !!! Hes a great Guy !!But good luck with that LOL!!

Thanks man!! Been tired and lazy lately. So nice just hitting the river for a few hours 2-3 days a week.

[Yam]

Pete.. I just noticed your boat. I love it! If you want to try it on SML, I'll gladly provide free guide service! I've been seriously considering getting something similiar for myself.

[Pete D.]

Aug 26, 2016 18:44:33 GMT -5 Yam said:

Pete.. I just noticed your boat. I love it! If you want to try it on SML, I'll gladly provide free guide service! I've been seriously considering getting something similiar for myself.

Hey bud

Thanks man I have been very happy with it so far. .100 gauge welded aluminum. I went with a nice light jet with pull start and no power trim. Only weighs 124lbs and no need for a start battery. You want to keep things light out this way. We smacked a couple rocks. Nothing significant, but I am flipping the hull this week and coating it with Kevlar/Teflon undercoating for added durability, protection and slickness.

Anyways she will hit 16mph up river and 18mph down with a decent load. I may consider a stick steer in the future, but for now this will suit me well.

We had a very successful maiden voyage. I will try and get some pics up for you guys.

[Pete D.]

[Yam]

The fish are awesome. But the boat and all the modifications and testing to come is awesome+.

[archenemy]

Nice rig Pete !

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[Pete D.]

Thanks guys. I am constructing a way to flip this hull over at the moment. I am hoping that a tractor and an engine hoist will allow me to do this. Stripped her down yesterday. Man that motor feels a lot heavier than it looks!!!

[Pete D.]

So......

Had some trial and error, but alas!!! I got her flipped. These boats are only #330, but man it surely felt much heavier than that.

Anyways, I have two engine hoists. At first I ran a chain from one transom tie to the next, and hooked the hoist to a clevis at the center of the chain. I also hooked a chain to the bow eye. When I went to spin her over there was too much play with that chain on the transom. I didnt feel comfortable spinning her.

Had to try something else. So I removed the transom U bolts, and bolted in a 4x4 through the holes. I slipped a 1/2" hardened steel bolt through the center, with a clevis on it and a stop nut. Then I hooked the hoist chain to the clevis. Removing the extra play gave me the perfect pivot point. Once I jacked the boat up I pulled the trailer out and she flipped right over with ease. Set her down on some heavy duty saw horses, and now she is ready to sand out any imperfections, loose paint etc. Then I will clean the hull with aluma-brite and hopefully get a layer of the kevlar/graphite epoxy down.