Im back on the water, kind of,lol. Project Hybrid

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:55 pm

So as odd as it seems Ive been wanting a older boat with no motor. The goal is to fish some of these smaller lakes that allow no gas motors. So a buddy and I went in on this project. The goal is to make a FULL deck with no console, all deck. A 36 volt Minn Kota 101 with six batteries, run three at a time and use the other three for back up. We both do paint work and I can do some cool glass work. I have a bunch of automotive House of Kolor paint left over from other projects. Should turn out sweet lookin and be a heck of a fishing boat. Ill update this thread as we go. So far we invested

700.00 1988 Procraft boat
640.00 Brand new Minn Kota 101 trolling motor
0. Paint
0. Wood for the deck, donated.
Pics as of 11/4/09

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:57 am

Wow, that sounds like a great project.
Paint the bottom in a green weed pattern, and add some crawdads and bait fish. Really make it blend in.
Have fun, and good luck.

BassManDan · Post by **BassManDan** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:52 am

That will be a fun project!
I honestly wish I had some painting talent, (and lots of money to burn) a project boat would be really cool, I know where a center console Skeeter is, that would be the ultimate project boat!

You'd better post some pics as the project progresses.

Steve1257 · Post by **Steve1257** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:38 am

I had an idea to use a broken outboard.Remove the powerhead and adapt a forklift motor from ebay.Would need a bunch of batteries though.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:50 am

Butch Brown has an electric motor on his Lagoon boat that damn near puts it up on plane.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:19 am

Awesome project Biteme, definitely keep us updated on the progress.

acm95301 · Post by **acm95301** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:52 am

If you really make progress on this, they should add it as a feature on the main page.

Neat Idea, since it will only ever be a trolling platform to eliminate the console /seating area ..that will make for a massive fishing platform and liely provide an oppertunity for a ton of storage space.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:13 pm

So we started the destruction today. Yeah it looks ugly now but it wont when its done! Im really shocked at how well this boat has held up over 22 years.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:26 pm

Will the entire deck be flush all the way accross or will it step down from the front? You have me wanting to start a project!

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:50 pm

Tin Can wrote:Will the entire deck be flush all the way accross or will it step down from the front? You have me wanting to start a project!

All the way across . Thats why we didnt touch the rear deck. We'll build off of that. Just one FLAT deck! Im stoked! We're thinking Kandy black on the bottom with big silver flake. On top it will be lime green. We have to throw some green in just because we might be going solar.

YZKEN250 · Post by **YZKEN250** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:59 pm

You going to keep the live wells? What about a graph and electronics?

TomAtkeson · Post by **TomAtkeson** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:51 pm

biteme wrote:
Tin Can wrote:Will the entire deck be flush all the way accross or will it step down from the front? You have me wanting to start a project!
All the way across . Thats why we didnt touch the rear deck. We'll build off of that. Just one FLAT deck! Im stoked! We're thinking Kandy black on the bottom with big silver flake. On top it will be lime green. We have to throw some green in just because we might be going solar.

Solar recharging on the t-motor bats? That's a sick idea!

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:52 pm

Yes and yes. It will have a custom made fiberglass console up front for, sonar/gps switches ect. Live wells will be in the same stock location.

RichThiel · Post by **RichThiel** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:01 pm

Recommend you also (Must) build a Rouder for attachment to the rear of the boat....otherwise your going to be fighting the back once your on the troll'in motor.

Rich

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:15 pm

RichThiel wrote:Recommend you also (Must) build a Rouder for attachment to the rear of the boat....otherwise your going to be fighting the back once your on the troll'in motor.

Rich

I agree, I have two T motor now. We might just mount the two. It would also help put it on the trailer.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:26 pm

TomAtkeson wrote:
biteme wrote:
Tin Can wrote:Will the entire deck be flush all the way accross or will it step down from the front? You have me wanting to start a project!
All the way across . Thats why we didnt touch the rear deck. We'll build off of that. Just one FLAT deck! Im stoked! We're thinking Kandy black on the bottom with big silver flake. On top it will be lime green. We have to throw some green in just because we might be going solar.
Solar recharging on the t-motor bats? That's a sick idea!

Yes, we will build a rack to hold the panels. It will bolt to the transom and hang off the boat. Right now we're thinking one panel per battery. The idea is to charge the batteries full time. It would extend the use. We all know how that sun beats down on the water.

RichThiel · Post by **RichThiel** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:39 pm

Biteme,

It was tried in the 80's one rear and one front....didn't work out too good.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:05 pm

Things have changed a BUNCH! Panel size has also changed, price ect. Remember we will start with three fully charge batteries. I figure its worth trying

ash · Post by **ash** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:20 am

Instead of three 12 volt batteries you may want to consider going to 6 6volt batteries, it would help in your hours. And you wouldnt have the weight of an additional set of batteries.

Rich is right about a rudder, or the *** end will swing everywhere! sounds like a fun project, please keep the pics coming as you progress.

Joe Bruce · Post by **Joe Bruce** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 3:17 pm

very cool. Iv had a similer idea with a flip up console/steering wheel to run a molded in jetski motor.

anyone have a hull and trailer for cheep ?

Andy Giannini · Post by **Andy Giannini** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:01 pm

You might think about a theft recovery.

I looked at one for a like idea, just a boat with a troller kept at a marina for free.

I gave up on the idea because I did not think the batteries and troller would stay onboard when it was left there.

Theft recovery probably will already have the console/steering cut out, no big motor etc. often the trailers are used to dump the hull.

.02 A.G.

CATCHEMCARO · Post by **CATCHEMCARO** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:02 pm

Keep the pictures coming. I can't wait to see what this looks like completed.
Rich

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:17 am

Got my LED's in! This is a basic mod that will help a bunch when fishing at night. I got them on ebay for cheap! Man are they bright! I bought eight small strips and two long ones. The small ones will be for the lockers. The big ones will be for where the deck meets up with the sides of the boat. Leds give off directional light. Heres some pics. We start framing the deck Friday, cant wait!
Cost of the LEDs 50.00

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:36 am

Man, you look like you're really doing a great job.
Since the big motor provides a balancing weight, so the boat sits right in the water, you might think of adding additional batteries.
The added amps will be welcome, and the added weight might help balance out the boat.

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:04 am

HOK paint is the shiizzzznit.

ash · Post by **ash** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:21 pm

The LED's are tight, will that color work as oppose to florescent light for night fishing?

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:23 pm

Been really busy but we finally found a few hours to work on the boat. Plan is to go at it again tomorrow. Started framing it up!

Jason C. · Post by **Jason C.** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:57 pm

Man, seems like a great project. Makes me want to do one my slef! Add a bunch of padding every where! It will help tons when your out from sun up till past sun down! Are ya going to put in a comfortroll or anything like it?

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:48 am

biteme wrote:So as odd as it seems Ive been wanting a older boat with no motor. The goal is to fish some of these smaller lakes that allow no gas motors. So a buddy and I went in on this project. The goal is to make a FULL deck with no console, all deck. A 36 volt Minn Kota 101 with six batteries, run three at a time and use the other three for back up. We both do paint work and I can do some cool glass work. I have a bunch of automotive House of Kolor paint left over from other projects. Should turn out sweet lookin and be a heck of a fishing boat. Ill update this thread as we go. So far we invested

700.00 1988 Procraft boat
640.00 Brand new Minn Kota 101 trolling motor
0. Paint
0. Wood for the deck, donated.
Pics as of 11/4/09

WOW! This is a great idea!!! I can see it workng very well, with all the extra stuff/wieght removed from the boat you should have plenty of room for batteries. I would look into a lipo type battery like the Optimas they are worth the extra coin. And I would shoot an e-mail with my progress to Optima Batteries,Minn Kota,etc... You would be suprized becuase I bet they all would like to be a part of this project and would be willing to donate product.

I am very interested in seeing how this turns out as are the rest of the folks on this site, so I would imagine a whole lot of others would be interested also so why wouldn't a company want to jump onboard? I also agree this should be a WB front page feature story.

P.S.- If for any reason you decide not to finish this project and want to sell, CALL ME i'll buy it, I have refurbished a few boats over the years but never nothing like this. I bet it would be alot of fun to build. Who knows get it right and you may just be the next Forrest Wood!

TomAtkeson · Post by **TomAtkeson** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:43 pm

Any recent updates on the project boat?!?

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:51 pm

Yes that last pic is from yesterday. Its tough getting time to work on it. I have a 3month old and we dont have a indoor spot to work on it. So if it rains were SOL. Its pretty frustrating! Im building a 68 Camaro in my garage so we have no room for it.

BassManDan · Post by **BassManDan** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:10 pm

Awesome custom fishing platform, a 68 Camaro......with the exception of that three month old, you got some pretty awesome things going for ya

Looking good, keep the updates coming!

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:33 pm

So did we get alot done over the 4 day Christmas holiday?

I am Seriously interested in this project. I was watching "The Next Generation" on the Outdoor Channel this past week end and they went to fish a private lake, anyway the ranger boat had an Electric Outboard on it.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:10 pm

Thanks for checking in Dom. Nope we didnt get a chance to get any work done, family first. BUT last week we almost finished the framing for the deck. I didnt get any pics because it got dark on us. We should be able to get some work done this week, weather permitting.

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:47 pm

Your very welcome, I have this bookmarked and looking forward to seeing it done. Man if you can do glass work and lay paint this thing should be "SICK" when yall are done. I was showing my brother-in-law yalls build over the holiday week-end and he was as excited about it as I was. We'er thinking a conoe for the arodynamics and 3 minn kota 101's to hit top speed

Then we started thinking about it alittle more, and thought naw it wouldn't work becuase we aint got that good a balance in our old age

Keep us posted

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:39 am

Took a solo trip yesterday and did some work. Got the old floor all tore out. Man what a mess that was. Will be back on it Tuesday with my partner. We should get a decent chunk knocked out.
I also ordered up 24oz Basscat carpet in gunmetal. New fenders for the trailer, new winch, and a few odds and end for the trailer. The five gallons of fiberglass resin should be in anytime. Cant wait to get some glass work done.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:34 pm

We got some stuff done today. The deck is getting very close! We need one more day to get the supports fiber glassed in from the bottom of the boat to the decking and we'll be finished with the frame. Things should start moving pretty good after that!

jigginpig · Post by **jigginpig** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:52 pm

dude, keep the posts coming. this is tha bidness, foo!

love it!

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:23 am

Thanks! Oh boy my buddy is going to shoot me,lol. I just ordered these.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:50 am

Nice, you just couldn't resist the temptation to pimp the trailer eh?

Looking good so far man, this is seriously an awesome project! Reminds me of what we did to my aluminum, only yours is on a much larger scale.

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:20 pm

Are they 22's?

Great Work! Still watching

TomAtkeson · Post by **TomAtkeson** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:21 pm

Tin Can wrote:Nice, you just couldn't resist the temptation to pimp the trailer eh?

Looking good so far man, this is seriously an awesome project! Reminds me of what we did to my aluminum, only yours is on a much larger scale.

Pimp the boat ya gotta pimp the trailer to avoid having a hoopty rig man!

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:31 pm

Just went with 17's, I want some tire. Yep have to do both trailer and boat. Cant go half arsed!lol

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:56 am

Any Updates?

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:55 pm

Lol, no. I bought a 2007 Stratos project last month. I did sale my Camaro so Ill be moving this project into the garage. It should start moving soon.

XMAN · Post by **XMAN** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:10 am

Who needs a 40k boat huh

R. Duzac · Post by **R. Duzac** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:54 am

How's this project going.
Would really like to see some updated pictures.

Really Cool.

Thanks,
Rene

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:12 am

biteme wrote:Lol, no. I bought a 2007 Stratos project last month. I did sale my Camaro so Ill be moving this project into the garage. It should start moving soon.

You bought another freaking project boat? What is wrong with you man

What makes the 07 Stratos a "Project" ? Pretty new for a project boat.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:47 am

Tin Can wrote:
biteme wrote:Lol, no. I bought a 2007 Stratos project last month. I did sale my Camaro so Ill be moving this project into the garage. It should start moving soon.
You bought another freaking project boat? What is wrong with you man

What makes the 07 Stratos a "Project" ? Pretty new for a project boat.

I know! But I couldnt pass it up, $1500.00 for such a new boat. The damage is not bad at all. Light damage over all its in great shape. Just needs a motor.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:50 am

Damn, I can't blame you for that. You scored!

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