jaaron01

You could use Lawn Chairs like the add says, but you could also add a plywood floor and buy pedistal seats like I did on mine. My only worry would be it looks like it's been outside in the elements for a long time, and these boats don't due well left outside all year long. I bought myself a new one for like 450.00, and bring it indoors in the winter time. Other than that it's on the trailer and under a canopy when not in use. Some folks don't care about the weathering, but I don't want a boat that weights a ton due to water inside the hull. It'll still float but will weight a ton. Are you using a trailer or loading it in the back of something? My pedistal seat has a back on it, so not sure what your talking about on that one.

I've never thought of putting an engine on the back of mine. Mainly because I sit up front in the boat and wouldnt want to be switching seats from running the motor to running the trolling motor. I'm just getting a bigger Trolling motor, to move a little faster. I have a 34lb now, but moving up to a 50lb in the fall/spring. I predict around Santa Claus time!!!1

I have a 8ft'r myself, and wouldn't trade it for the world. Couple small lakes here in nebraska are so shallow in some parts that most ordinary boats can't even get into the head waters. I was out the other morning, and had pulled the trolling motor and rudder up and was just sculling through the weeds catching bass left and right. I noticed other big bass boats watching me but would even get close to were I was fishing. When I put my oar down to see how deep I was, there was only about 8-10 inches of water beneath me and I was about 100 ft from the bank. Needless to say I was proud of my little boat, as I didn't even notice how shallow it was. Awesome feeling!!!!

My little boat doing its job. Least we forget why were got these little fellows for.

Go with the 50, I got a 34 with mine, and while it's "good" with me alone, throw a buddy in there and it sucks. I've been kickin myself ever since for not getting the 50. Before next fishing season I'll have a 50 on the front for sure.

I'm playing with the idea of shade for the boat, still. I know I've heard the "blow around like a sail boat" argument before. But I have this idea of using a Sports Brella. I was thinking of using one of the pedestal seat bases, and reverse mounting it with the 3/4 pole (that's supposed to slide into the pole) stick up, cut off the spring, and mounting it in the middle of the boat. Then find the correct size of PVC pipe that will fit over the pole and fit the umbrella handle to get it up to the correct height to sit under. Then all you need is a place on the front and rear of the boat for the side straps of the umbrella to tie to and it should hold firm, which a couple of C-clamps would work just fine. Now if you "really" wanted to get high tech, you could use some kind of adjustable base like on the big Porch umbrellas, with the adjustable mount, so you can tilt the umbrella. Maybe even some kind of heavy duty fishing rod holder that can be adjusted to tilt. If you put it high enough I don't think it will interfere with casting as much as you'd think. This umbrella is like 7 ft, and they make a 9 ftr as well. It gets hot out here on the lake, and this seems like a viable, and under $100 fix that should work. I watch "Swamp Men" on the TV and I've seen their set-up with just a flat tarp on top of the boat, and works for them catching gators. I'm thinking the 7ft'r on the 8 foot boat would provide enough shade for a guy on either side of this thing. (see attached photo), plus it's height is already adjustable up to 80 inches, so might not even need a piece of PVC pipe, just put it over the reversed seat base.

I got the 10lb navy type anchor from cabela's. Works great now.

I'm a short guy at 5'5, but with my boat the seats sat a little lower than I wanted, and sometimes would make my back hurt. Plus I felt like I didn't have any room in the boat, and things were always getting shoved under the seat. I went with pedistal seat to raise the seat, and make turning around much easier. I used the 11' pole, and went I got the seat mount that goes into the pole, I had to cut the spring out, cause it made the seatabout 2 inches to high for me. Once I cut the spring off the seat mount plate it was the perfect height. One thing I will add is if you go with the Pedistal seat and are a bigger feller, use 3/4 preferable 1 inch marine ply for the floor. Your seat / pedistal will only be as firm as your floor is. 5/8 worked for me @ 170 lbs, but theres a little flex and if I was to do over I'll go with heavier plywood for the stiffness. Also for attaching the floor to the bottom of the boat, I didn't. I just cut the ply to fit the bottom of the boat and it just rests in there. It's heavy enough not to need attaching, and won't blow out going down the highway.

Someone bought me a 8lb mushroom anchor, but I was thinking I needed a bigger 1. I'm heading to Cabela's tommorrow evening to exchange the one I got for something a little bigger, and that won't pull up the muck from the bottom into my boat. As for the rope being tangled and in the way. I took a couple of small foldgers plastic coffee cans and mounted them in the corners of my boat. Drill a couple holes in the bottom of them so they don't fill will water, but that's what I keep all my ropes/lines in, so they aren't laying all over the floor. You can see 1 in this photo, and they work well.

What size anchors are you guys using, and having good results with? I've had several occasions were I wished I'd had and anchor, but can't decide on what size/shape to get. Thought I'd ask others.

With the 5/8 plywood floor and carpet I probably added about 50lbs to the weight. Of course when you got a trailer and can just back it into the water and shove her off, it's not noticeable. With my weight and a passenger were still not close to the max weight, and my boat rides extremely high in the water. Having added the pedistal seat, and no longer having to bang my knees into the chair braces, I don't know how I lived with it. I'll leave the back seat as it is, as I normally fish alone.

Got the Seat base tonight from Bass Pro and installed the seat. This plate has a 3 degree tilt to it, so the seat looks like it tilts back a little. (it's supposed to) Also while I was at it I went ahead and fixed up my Fish Finder Mount, and got the Gray Spray Paint and painted that mount and the piece I'd cut for the trolling motor. Also was online today and found a manual for my boat. They were talking about condensation building up inside the boat and how to drain it. They said stand it up on its' bow and pull the plug. After almost 1 year, I finally figured out what that little black knob on the front of the boat was. Never crossed my mind it was a plug (see below). Learn something new every day. One thing i did do was remove the spring from the bottom of the seat plate, as at a 170 lbs I didn't even begin to compress that thing, and it made the seat about 2 inches taller than it needed to be.

Bolted everything down to the Boat floor, and now all I need is the seat mount bracket. Walmart was out, and I didn't want to drive over to Basspro tonight so Friday I'll finish her off. Used 4- 3 inch Lag bolts to hold my base to the floor, then 6-2 in lags to mount the metal base to the wooden base i built and covered. That was the worst part of the job, having to remove the battery and then the floor to get those bottom bolts in there, but it'll be worth it.

Well I'll be honest with you, it looks a little faded, which might mean it's been left out in the sun a lot. The worst enemy to these little boats is the sun and other elements. I only keep mine outside during the summer on the trailer, and under a canopy in the shade. During the winter time, I unload everything, and carry the entire boat down into the basement for storage and modifications, with the help of my future son-in-law. I'd at least take a look if it wasn't much of a trip, but check it out really good. They will float even with a hole in them, due to the foam inside them, but again they weight a ton. There's several different versions of these boats out there, so you can find a new one for around $500.00 and get a warrenty. Another thing, check you local water regulations about registration and titles. In nebraska it's a pain to register boats without paperwork, and even worse if you get a trailer.

Yeah I went with the pole mount inorder to get away from the bench type seat bracket. I"m tired of swinging around to get something, and banging my leg against the seat bracket. I'll get some Lag bolts this evening and get this thing screwed in to the flooring.

Went to walmart and got the Pedistal Base and Pole, got those mounted on a block, now just need the seat base and I'm in business. I'll post a couple photos later today. Raises the seat by about 6 inches, and no more knocking your shins off when you need to turn around. Like I said before I'm only doing the front seat as I'm alone most times, and the back seat has the battery under it.

Curious is anyone has rigged up some type of Bimini top for one of these little boats. I know about the Boat Seat Umbrellas they sell, but haven't heard really good things about them. I would like some type of topper to put on this thing for the summer time when it's burning hot. Thought I'd ask the question.

Yeah the switch is very nice. Now if I can just get me a pedistal stand for the front seat, I'll be in business. I normally fish alone, so I thought just 1 pedistal in the front, and leave the back seat alone for ride alongs.

This Rig never fails to get people coming up and asking questions. Wouldn't trade her for all the money in the world.

So went to BassPro yesturday and got the "Bigfoot" switch, and let me tell you, if you don't have one, you should get one. Best $17.00 investment you can make for these little boats. Someone was saying the wires were only like 16 inches long, but mine were closer to 30' long. Added a floor last weekend with some indoor/outdoor carpet, and 5/8 marine ply. Didn't really need it, but it does make the floor seem more solid. Also got a Battery Tray and mounted it under the rear seat, so the guy in the back has more room and no more lifting the battery in and out. Was afraid before that i would it the brakes and she'd slide through the boat, but it's strapped down now. Even though my boat is only an 8ft'r, you can get two adults in there with comfort. It's close quarters, and only 1 rod and tackle box a piece, but that's enough gear. Also a photo of the Rig hooked up to the van, and at the lake. The trailer is a godsend, for sure. You can see in the Photo of the boat on the trailer, were the waterline is at on the boat as i had just pulled her out of the lake. I don't know why but my boat seems to set high off the water, which is a good thing i think. Seen a pond prowler today and looked like it was about 8 inches above the water, and mine sets almost a foot above the water.

Yeah, I was wondering the effect on battery life while fishing.

Wonder what kind of damage that will have on my 29 series deep marine battery? Not that I would be running it on high all the time, but still.

Okay got a question. I started with a MK Endura C2 34lbs thrust TM, for my 8ft coleman. Thinking of upgrading to a heavier version. I normally fish by myself, in which case the 34 does okay, if the wind isn't blowing. But with 2 adults, the results are less than satisfying. I can get a Endura 45 from cabela's for like 219.00, but then the 50lb is only $16.00 more at $234.00. Both have a mail in rebate, but I just can't decide on which to go with, or if it's worth it. Anyone want to share there thoughts?

Only problem would be securing your seat, so you can get leverage to row you boat. If your seats are stationary it sounds like it would work, but mine slide back and forth. As for paddles not working, I've got the 8ftr, and my paddle works, but much nicer with the trolling motor.

Me personally, I wouldn't drill a hole in your boat floor. I bought a cover for mine, and seems to work well. I have had 1 time were 70 mph winds got up underneath it and put some water in there, but I just got the wife's floor mop out and used it to clean up the water.