Bomber7

I have an 8 foot Sun Dolphin Sportsman - got it at Dick's Sports for $400. I started out with a 30lb MK TM but the drive pin broke so I took it back to Dick's and they let me upgrade to a 55lb MK - the 30 was fine but it's nice to have this 55 really scoots across the lake. My battery I got at Walmart for around $80. Over the summer I made lots of mods to it which I posted pictures of in the thread called: Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners out there? I too load it in the back of my F150 but after slipping on my butt a couple times I'm looking for a trailer. Good luck with your new boat and if you have any questions on things send me a message - these little boats are great - I live in Nebraska and we have tons of 5mph no wake lakes and ponds around here.

Hey Jim wondering if you have ever fished at Zorinsky Lake - I went over there yesterday and boy did I have some good fishing - well at least bass and a few catfish which were a surprise since I wasn't trying for them. I caught one on a bass jig and another with a minnow when I anchored fishing for crappie - struck out on crappie though. But the bass fishing was pretty good. Might have to hit Zorinsky more often - I usually go to Walnut or Wehrspann.

Made some changes to my boat set up - I got rid of my milk carton - I kept hitting it with my chair. Anyway I made out pieces of wood I had and wrapped them in some carpet I had left over from the floor. I mounted them to hold the battery and my bait bucket. It gives me a lot more floor space.

One million dollars {said in Dr Evil voice} LOL

yeah can't remember where I got that idea from lol

Here is a picture of my rudder - used an MK TM mounting bracket I got off e-bay ($30), a steal pipe and an old road sign. Cut it down to size and screwed it to the pipe - works great and the last two days has been pretty windy and I had no issues.

wow talk about good luck - when I first set up my little pond boat I bought a 30lb MK TM and it has run pretty well for the 2 months I had it. I have been thinking that I should have gone with a little more thrust but figured I would just run this one for at least a year or so. Anyway the other day out it start making a loud noise when on and in the water - almost sounded like an outboard motor. Of course this was no good for the fishies - scared them. So I got back to the dock right away - didn't want to have to use my paddle for the first time lol. So when I got home I took the prop off and the little pin that turns the prop broke in half - not sure how that happen - anyway it was late Sunday night and I wanted to go out today (my days off are Sun, Mon and Tues) so I made a replacement out of an nail - it was the same diameter and I cut it down to fit. Thought this would work - NOT - no sooner did I push off from the dock it started making the noise again. So I loaded it all back up - yeah after 30 seconds that sucked. I took the prop off and found that my make shift pin was bent - so I thought something else is wrong with the motor - keep in mind this is my first boat ever and I'm still learning the ropes. So I decided to go back to where I bought it (Dick's) and see if they would just credit me the amount I paid for this one 2 months ago and let me get the 55lb. They did and I got it all set up and set out to the lake once again. That 55lb really scoots my boat along and quite too - caught 3 nice size Crappie (keepers) and a few Large Mouths. So it all worked out in the end - got my upgraded motor. I'll be heading to the lake again tomorrow AM.

Mine worked great yesterday first time in a very strong wind and I had no problem with it. However I think I may step up the size of my TM - got a 30 lb and probably need a 50-60lb.

Owner's Manual?? What's that?? just kidding lol - yup it recommends a 50amp for my TM - somehow I missed that when I first read through it. To be safe I'll pick up a 50 amp today and install it before hitting the water again - thanks appreciate the info and help.

thanks Kevin - I think it's ok cause I have had this set up for a few weeks now - took her out today to Lake Wanahoo, west of Omaha Nebraska - pretty much ran it for 6 hours straight and still had a good charge - I was just concern cause I was reading a review and saw the info about the 60 amp. Thanks for the help.

I have a question that maybe someone on this thread can answer - I have a pond boat that is powered by my MK 30lb TM - I bought this battery box and it has two built in 15 amp circuit breakers - so my question is do I still need to wire in a 60 amp or larger - I read where it says you need at least 60amp circuit breaker on it. Is this true - I'm still new to the whole boating thing - thanks http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/marine-battery-box.aspx?a=784532

Try looking in this thread - many of us that have small pond boats made rudders - I'm sure any of these would work on a jon boat too - I made mine out a old road sign, attached it to a steel pipe I bought at Lowe's for like $3.00 - it's 3.5 feet long and works perfect - I found a MK TM mount on E-bay for $30. Here is also a picture of it. However I did cut it down some cause of the weight and it was too big. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/25442-any-pelican-bass-raider-owners-out-there/

sweet boat dude - congrats

I bought and installed the big foot switch I have read so much about - also bought a handle extender for the TM so I can sit in the middle of the boat and still steer it - I pretty much go out alone. Working on making something to hold the battery and my milk crate - I'll post pictures when finish. Man I didn't think I was gonna put so many mods into this little boat - but after seeing all the things here which most seem to make fishing more comfortable and easier. Thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestion. I have one sweet little ride now ....... next up a trailer lol which I said I wouldn't need but now I'm thinking it will be much easier launching and loading.

I found these at Bass pro - holds four poles - I took it out this morning first time since installing these and my floor - everything worked out great, well except that the fish weren't biting but then again a bad day of fishing is still better then a good day at work lol.

nice looking boat - thanks for sharing

Thanks for the tip Tim - didn't glue it down just the staples - where can I get the glue at - didn't check Lowes when I was there.

well I only take mine to 5 mph no wake lakes - however I did get caught in a down pour once - but it's marine carpet and I can lift the floor out to dry if needed.

OK broke down this weekend and decided to put a floor in - didn't take long - just went to Lowe's with my measurements (had to purchase a full sheet of plywood since they didn't have any project pieces) got the piece I needed cut out and have some extra plywood now - got some marine carpet they had which matched the color of my boat (gray). Stapled it down nice and tight. I put two handles on the front part so I could lift it in and out if needed. I'll install some tie down points for my milk crate and battery later.

I found a minn kota mounting bracket on E-bay - just do a search for it - then I had a buddy cut me a piece of a road sign he had - I then screwed it to a steel pipe - a old trolling motor pipe would probably be lighter - i do think I have to cut it down in size somewhat - but it works great so I'm just leaving it alone for now.

Here's my ride - 8' Sun Dolphin Sportsman - have had it about 2 months - upgraded seat - changed out TM from transom to bow and added a rudder - added pole holders and some other accessories. my next project will be a plywood with carpet floor.

great advice from all that have responded and since I only have a small pond boat that I put in my garage so I can't give much on how to store a gas powered one. For the tackle ... yup pull it all out and store inside - when I was stationed in Florida I remember those hot days and plastics can get a bit messy. But what I really wanted to say is .... Thank you for you service, stay safe and God Bless. Doug

I guess pictures aren't loading today.

Looks great Tim - nice job - maybe I should hire you to do mine lol

anyone know if Lowe's or Home Depot will cut a piece of plywood to the measurements I need for my floor - i don't have a work bench at home nor a circular saw to cut it - just a jigsaw.