A Tale of Two Boats

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Dude,

Much enjoyed your article this week. So
many of our southern waters are inaccesible
without a boat, and as you alluded to, the
prices are getting beyond reason.*G* Plenty
of incentive to look for sound older hulls
to apply some sweat equity to. Lots of them
around still and a bit of effort can save
some major bucks. My 1972 Bassmaster rig
was a freebie. I had to rewood the transom
and flooring, new carpet, paint, and
hardware. The trailer was sound but I
cleaned it up and put on new rubber and
buddy bearings. Finally found a decent
short shaft 30hp Johnson with 50 hours on
it for the 15" transom. Now I have the
perfect craft for my fishery at a mere
fraction of replacement cost. It's well
worth the effort.*G*

Warm regards, Jim

[Jeremy]

Yep...plus it's just plain fun for handy folk, like yourself!

If yer not handy, this is as good a place as any to learn.

Nice fishing rig Jim. It's really all you need for smaller water.

Jeremy.

[Flats Dude]

Thanks Jim....Linda got two really nice reds out in the flats on the little skiff Saturday.

[Lotech]

Jim!
Thanks man, you just saved me some grief. I recently purchased a "poor-man's drift boat." It's a 12 ft. Lowes Jon Boat. I plan on sitting in the middle with an extended handle on my electric trolling motor. The boat was $520 new. I also purchased a 4'X 8' folding utility trailer from Fred Meyers for $200. The problem was, I can't launch the boat directly into the water because the tail lights aren't waterproof. So I would like to thank you for the picture, because I see that the trailer lights can be mounted on PVC pipes high enough that they will never get any wetter that what's caused by a rain storm. Until now I was ready to hand launch the boat, but no more. Thanks a million. Your picture saved me.


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Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
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Lotech Joe

[mcsteff]

Hey Jim
I bet ya got safety chains on that trailer!
mcsteff

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Joe,

Not an original idea, but a practical
one never the less.*G* Good luck with
your new outfit. Warm regards, Jim

[Jim Hatch]

McSteff,

You sir, are absolutely right! Never
again will I pull a trailer without them.
The sight of my last boat detouring through
the woods at 55mph with all of my gear in
it was a real eye opener.*G* Warm Regards,
Jim

[Harold Hattaway]

Lotech


When I was a kid my dad got tired of the lights on the trailer failing. (salt water)
So he built a set of lights on a 2x4 that was also used as a tie down for the boat. Those lights never died. He also mounted the tag on the bar. It kept the boat on the water and it was stored in the car when we were out on the water.

Good luck and let us see what you wind up with.

Harold

oh by the way.... Are the seats in your boat filled with foam? If not it would be a good idea to fill the boat with as much foam as possible, just in case you forget the plug, (experience speaking... In the last boat I had 2 plugs both attached to the boat with heavy string.


[This message has been edited by Harold Hattaway (edited 04 April 2006).]