Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]I braved the Memorial Day madness yesterday and launched my motorized Fat Cat at the Knolls, on Utah Lake. Had a couple of modifications I wanted to try...along with the new motor frame I just finished for TubeBabe. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Probably the main experiment was to see how my new "float stabilizer" would work. Adding a motor and battery to the back of a float tube changes the center of gravity and can give your tube a tilt. That has always been a big concern to me and the main reason I did not put a motor on mine sooner. When I first started codgertatin' it back in 2002...with my first Super Fat Cat...there were no smaller SLA batteries. If I wanted a motor I would have had to install a huge heavy acid filled marine battery. That, together with the wooden frame I came up with, simply added too much bulk and weight. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Now, with new choices in batteries and my enhanced skills with PVC, I think I finally got a working system. But, there is still the balance problem. So, I added some floatation to the stern, with an inflated "boat bumper"...easily available wherever boating accessories are sold. The attached pics will show how I attached it. Simple, does not affect the ride and DEFINITELY adds floatation to the system. In fact, it was like adding heavy coil suspension. While afloat I could not rock back in my tube like I usually can. And, you can see in one of the pics that even with the motor and battery in the front it only slightly tilts the tube. When I sit in the seat the ride is level.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also wanted to try out the motor control extension. Used a heat gun to form the one end of schedule 20 PVC to fit the end of the motor control handle. Then fitted a short lateral piece to allow it to rise a bit...since the motor sits all the way down on the frame and is not high enough to come over my shoulder. The final piece is a continuation that DOES fit over my shoulder. I fit it together so that the end piece rests on my right shoulder when the motor is in the off position. It rotates up to rest beside my head on position 3...where I ran it most of the time for short moves, etc. If I want to run a ways on 5 speed, the control rotates over to rest on my left shoulder. Worked great...especially by using the on-off switch next to my right hand for short moves, without having to reach back and use the handle controls. Steering was easy. Locked the motor in straight back position while installing and then just used my fins for steering.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I ran the motor quite a bit, off and on, while fishing up to a mile away from my launch spot. Did not do any trolling or make any long runs, but definitely used the motor quite a bit. The 33 AH motor was still at 80% when I got home. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the picture with the batteries in a bucket you will see that I also rigged a small 7 AH battery with quick connects that reach up beside me on the seat. If my 33 AH battery runs out of juice and I need to make a run back to the vehicle, the smaller battery will serve as an auxiliary. Based upon the specs for the motor (Endura 30) I estimate I can make a 15 to 20 minute run at top speed on the small battery.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Oh yeah. I caught some nice catfish and a grundle of white bass. Maybe even a grundle and a half. They are in the final stages of their spawning run and were all along the rocky shorelines. Caught doubles every cast on tandem jig rigs...or a fish every cast when using single spinners or jigs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were a lot of folks camping and fishing in the easy access areas but I was virtually all by myself in the area I fished. That is one of the great things about tubing. You can get just far enough away from the bank tanglers to enjoy great fishing...and often in areas not disturbed by the power squadron. Having the auxiliary power (motor) is going to greatly enhance my options.[/#0000ff]
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Well done TD !!! I love what you do.[]

Peter
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[cool][#0000ff]Tanks[/#0000ff]
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I would think that bumper has got to effect the movement. Instead of an arrow, a blunt surface. It is more like a donut now. Still, donuts are easy enough to move in water.

I am waiting the year for a report on that battery. I tried the smaller batteries in the early stages of my tube/tooning and found that nothing can beat the big ones.
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[cool][#0000ff]You might be small enough and sensitive enough to notice a difference. I didn't notice any problem at all. I kicked a LOOOOOONG ways without any noticeable difference in either propulsiion or control. Not even close to the feel of a donut.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had no false illusions about the battery. Got it only as an auxiliary power source. So far it looks like it will work for most of the venues I fish. I also have 85 and 115 AH batteries. Going to add still more floatation and try the larger batteries for some more aggressive long range trips. [/#0000ff]
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Maybe one of those cheap Orange vests. They float great and with it being an around the neck floatation, you can kind of mold them to where you need them.
Alan's first pontoon was a Leigh and no matter what, the deck was in the water. He used the bumper idea, but they ran the length of the boat. Three strapped together. Gave a nice little tri-haul...lol
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That is one fine ride. I'm feeling the urge to cut some plastic.

I'm looking at smaller batteries for my TM. Can you provide a little more info on the 33 AH unit: weight, brand, approximate cost?

Jim
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Excellent setup! I need to get mine all done too. Judging by the pics of your setup, you look like you are ready to go and help BP fix their oil leak!
That's great to cover more than a mile out in the tube. Talk about saving time. There are some spots out there that I have wanted to visit, but didn't have the 2hr kicking time to burn to get out there.
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[quote flygoddess]Maybe one of those cheap Orange vests. They float great and with it being an around the neck floatation, you can kind of mold them to where you need them. [/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]I have several pieces of foam that I could cut to fit and I thought of doing that. But, the bumpers are so much sturdier...in case I get an urge to go rock thumping. Easy to rig too. Need to do some strapping with the foam.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a pic of the double bumper setup I plan to try later in the week...with my 85 AH battery. Going to progressively work my way up to my 115 AH battery. If the double bumper works as well as I hope then I am golden. [/#0000ff]
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That is more what I was talking about. Running the same direction, less resistance.

I am sure you will figure it out. Just remember, it is still just a tube...not a bass boat...LOL[laugh][laugh]

Gonna have to beef up that packing cart for sure.
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[quote Jim_T]That is one fine ride. I'm feeling the urge to cut some plastic.

I'm looking at smaller batteries for my TM. Can you provide a little more info on the 33 AH unit: weight, brand, approximate cost?

Jim[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]I got the 33 from Batteries Plus, in Salt Lake. I am sure they are available from many good battery specialty outlets. There are a lot of similar sized batteries made for the power wheel chair market. You can see most of the info on the attached pic. It is a true deep cycle battery that is supposed to sustain about 1000 rechargings...3 to 4 times a regular battery.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It weighs in at about 24 pounds. Cost new was about $85. I charge it with my auto battery charger set on 2 amps. [/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]NOT YET![/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wait 'til you see the new Merc 250. (That's gonna take a lot of bumper floats)[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]You have more front end floatation on your H3 but I am sure it would benefit by a bumper float or two...like on the new pic. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah, I went down about twice as far as the rock point...almost to the lone tree. Found a lot of great new water/rocks that probably seldom get fished. The white bass were rolling and boiling in a foot of water over one rock pile. And no bank tanglers to molest them...but I did.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I did not use the motor much as I fished my way down. But with the confidence in having the motor I just kept "going...and going"...like the Energizer Bunny. Then, when a light breeze from the east started coming up about 11:30 I put the motor on 3 and slow trolled back to the point. Fished there a while and then went on up the shoreline in short bursts...fishing a few minutes and then motoring a bit further. Unlike most of our trips to the Knolls I was feeling great when I got out of the water. No fatigue and no leg cramps. And I did not feel any afteraffects today either. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I ain't gonna get silly and launch when the forecast is for a "Perfect Storm". No need to see what the outside limitations are. But, for being able to fish more water...making quick zips back to unhook a snag...move shallower or deeper..."hit the shore (for downloads)...or simply relaxing on the way back to the vehicle...having that motor has opened up new horizons for me.[/#0000ff]
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That's the exact location(s) I want to hit. I found some good structure out there and frequent bites. But, dared not keep going for fear of the kick back to the vehicle. This is going to be a very good thing.
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That bumper idea is intriguing. You know how small Bekki is and I have been thinking about the tilt she will have. I think I will need to check this out for her. I am planning on getting her the Motor Guide T30. Great price right now at Cabelas.[cool] About $25 cheaper than the minn kota 30. Now on the charging of your 33 AH battery I have a minn kota charger that I use for my deep cycle. That should work on yours as well should it not?
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[cool][#0000ff]A charger is a charger...regardless of brand. The only consideration...as I understand it...is that the SLA batteries should be recharged at a slower rate. Any charger that will do that should get the job done.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I recently put together a frame for BFTer "Pa". Gave me the opportunity to compare relative sizes between the Fat Cats and Fish Cats. I had to reduce the width of the frame by about 1" for the FC4 and reduce the length by about the same amount. There is proportionately less available space in the rear compartment, but plenty to handle even a mid sized battery. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I think you would be much happier with the way Bekki's tube floated if you added some extra buoyancy behind the seat. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much less "tilt" there was in the back end with the bumper installed and both the battery and motor in place. And when I added my delicate self it leveled out just right.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I estimate that will all my gear, the new motor and battery and of course my fragile body, my craft is probably floating close to 400 pounds. The extra floatation is not wasted on my ride.[/#0000ff]
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I think that extra flotation is a GREAT idea. What a fantastic way to add those bumpers. Love it.
Just my 2c.[]

Peter
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Now, where you planing on installing that TV ?
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[quote peter805]Now, where you planing on installing that TV ?[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]On the second deck...right next to the barbecue and walk-in refrigerator.[/#0000ff]
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From the movie "Jaws" : 'WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT' gulp, gulp......[]

Pon
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