My jon boat to bassboat conversion

[Paulpro]

Bow mount all the way! [url "http://youtu.be/CdXyz80tmOw"]http://youtu.be/CdXyz80tmOw[/url]
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[CoyoteSpinner]

That's a cool mod. Looks like your motor setup really moves you around good. Is that a 12-footer?

Any concern about taking out the middle seat as far as floation? I know my benches are filled with styrofoam.
Did you put a floor down? Have you thought about putting the chair on a pedestal? But maybe you wanna keep your center of gravity low.

I'd like to put a board across my bow area - make a casting platform. Also maybe some where my dog can sit - OUT of my gear and away from my hooks! Just don't want to add too much weight, especially at the bow.

Thanks for sharing.
(and are those bass? You got such different colors out there - they look like perch. But if those ARE perch - they're bigger than many bass around here! )

[Kyle_lauchie]

Looks like Peacock Bass (circle mark near the tail on the 1st pic)


Example:[inline "Peacock Bass.jpg"]
Wish we had those closer to where i'm at. They can get HUGE

They are an awesome looking fish in general, great catch man!
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I've been "cursed" with the WFN - world fishing network - being added to my TV lineup. Probably just a preview. But damn - watching coastal and ocean fishing - sheeze. And all the Alaska trips! It's tough going when the host is complaining about reeling up Halibut after Halibut! SO sorry! And then there's the Tarpon Tourney! Right up there with river monsters like the Sturgeon!
Thanks Kyle. That's a purdy, yet freaky looking fish! Glad to know it's NOT a perch!!!!

Paul - have you seen[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEj3O1JWr08&feature=endscreen&NR=1"] this "mod" video[/url]? Did you have to go through the same kind of routine after taking a bench out - to seal it up? I'd love to work up something like this.
(time, energy, cost, time, energy...)

[riverdog]

He's from Miami area. It's peacock probable out of Tamiami Canal.
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[Utcatman]

Thats what im rockin!!! I converted my jon into a fishing beast! I built ontop of my middle bench so I wouldn't loose rigidity or buoyancy See pics
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[Utcatman]

Oops forgot this one
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[Kyle_lauchie]

When i upgrade my boat it'll be one of these type boats, and i plan on doing about the same thing Utcatman, it looks great!
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[CoyoteSpinner]

That looks cool Joe. Thanks for the pix. I like the look. You're giving me ideas!

Can you access the area under your front platform? Lift the whole thing, or any panels?
I've had the clamp on type seats, but not really happy with how loose they are. Got some smaller posts - gonna mount 'em up a bit higher.

But I'd like to put a pedestral seat in too. something removable for trailering and to fit under the cover.

Cheers all you flattbottom boyz! Can wait to hit the marsh!

[Paulpro]

Utcatman's boat kicks but,I too enjoyed it.Thing is with my boat,you see I don't trailor it,it fits nicely in the back of the truck bed,if I want to continue to do so I must keep it light.I put my boat out of commission for about a month as had no xp on haul repair,Once I removed my middle seat I weakened the structual integrity on the boat,felt like a waterbed lol.My first attempt was a stop sign post riveted on by hand,came out good,but heavy,plus would rust soon anyway.My second attempt was alluminum v rods 2 from homedepot,the "inbetween size",works well till this day,I used the original holes,went with 1/4 " rivets from Granger.I do have just over 5 1/2 feet of deckspace now.

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I used 2 shets of half " foam wrapped in clear tape,then I used duct tape to add a piece of tarp material for only the top side.I made it in three sections two which fold in half for easy storage.

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For the seat,I cut a milk crate nearly in half and screwed the taller half to the seat,its a bit low so I don't tip over off the side of the boat. For a better "center of gravity"one man said[pirate] I have some more pictures,good luck on your jon boat,mine is 10' looking into a 12' but it must have the same width so it fits in the truck,any help?. Thanks everyone. One mans boat is another mans dream,good luck everyone with your mods,I'll help anyway I can God Bless[angelic]
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[CoyoteSpinner]

You might take a look at Bama Boy's rig. Like yours - he's got no trailer, just loads it in the back of his pickup. Its a Crawdad - made of green plastic. Think it's a 12 footer also.
Not having to trailer load, or haul one around could be a real perk.

Gotta rig me up one of them vertical rod-holders too. Bring on the PVC!

[Paulpro]

Sure thing buddy no problem,sharing is my passion.About the styro in the seat,yea I just hope to never get too much water in the boat,I'm not sure but its very possible it may sink now LOL.I like seeing the perch catches on here,its funny how they resemble these peacockbass,I like to call them by their S.american name,"Lukinani".I have always got them perch pattern rapalas as they resemble the Lukinani pattern very well,you know,they should come out with a baby Lukinani pattern[frown]

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Ok, sit tight for this one and don't hold your breath,for those of you who haven't yet seen my latest mod,get your drink handy!,and your cigar ready!.I did something "possibly" never seen before.Dual bowmounts,a 54 and a 34,best part of the vid starts at 10sec to about 20 seconds.hold on tight![url "http://youtu.be/rBKSxwF4Tgw"]http://youtu.be/rBKSxwF4Tgw[/url]

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I made another making a u-turn at full speed,I let up just after the turn,but at 8 sec in I really hammer it[] [url "http://youtu.be/gVDuzQf48YM"]http://youtu.be/gVDuzQf48YM[/url] This is the only trailor I use
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[Paulpro]

Awesome deck,its nice having a flat floor,I sometimes take one of those beach chairs for a buddy,or even a folding lounge chair incase I want to get my tan on.I put my buddy up front in a chair and use a regular seat like yours for the backseat. When my buddy steers the trolling motor,I like to stand on the backseat and fish.Mine is a 10 footer,Hey how fast you moving in your boat,your max?and hp 15?,I also use 2 strokes nice! Here's my boat pushing 17.5,with me,but my nephew pushed it to 18mph.4hp 2stroke,its a merc,they are really fast but not as reliable as say a Yamaha,but faster,which I prefer the speed over the reliability,you only live once you know,PS,I put my buddies 9.9 merc and OMG,best fun you can have with your clothes on lol,I hit 29.5,and 18 with two of us.Here are my 2 strokes,old school like yours,25 year old motors,one I found on ebay new! [url "http://youtu.be/ISPrzOLCo9g"]http://youtu.be/ISPrzOLCo9g[/url] Enjoy your boats everyone.

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I see you all have lots of love for them.Now go catch that fish of a lifetime!
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[Utcatman]

Mine is a 12ft lowe I have a merc 9.8 that I just bought So im not sure how quick its gonna run ... should scoot

YOTE - yes the entire front deck lifts for storage etc see pic this was before carpet during the build
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[kochanut]

dude, look at the size of your deck!!!

no homo
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[Utcatman]

[sly] haha whoa dude don't be checking out my deck! !! [] you crack me up bruddah
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[fish_or_die]

I just did a "remodel" of my duck boat too, how is the vertical rod storage working out for you? do they get in the way much?
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[CoyoteSpinner]

[quote kochanut]dude, look at the size of your deck!!!
no homo[/quote]

Now now - don't get started on THAT again! Next thing you'll be making some comments about Paul's 2-stroke technique!
Flat bottoms, flat floors - yeah, more better! No rocking MY Boat!
You keep talking like that Koch - I'll have to send you some of these redneck lures!
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I just wish I had a 4-stroke! I'm tired of getting stuck with bad gas!

So - UTC - where ya mounting the BFT flag?! haha

[Utcatman]

No they work out pretty well!!! Just 2.5" pvc mounted with conduit hangers $3 rod holders!
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[Paulpro]

Watever floats your boat,if you really want to go cheap try my clothes hanger rod holders for a horizontal mount for each side,holds three rods on each side

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I don't like for others to see my rod straight up in the air[sly]
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