upgraded my crappie rig

[randybenham]

Well,
I know I haven't posted much recently, particularly since april; thought I would explain myself. managed to sell off the old crappie rig, and upgraded to a big 20 ft. Javelin Bass boat as a "project". My goal is to have a boat that I can crappie fish, bass fish, walleye fish, & pleasure boat w/ family for tubing & skiing. found this boat and boy did I get an education. I sold my other crappie rig (16ft aluminum w/ 25hp 4stroke yamaha) & got this rig for $100 more.



I wound up rewiring the whole rig, from bilge pumps to lights. I added a bubble maker with airstones in the livewell on a timer switch to keep my fish alive, new fishfinders at the steering wheel & on the deck, with holder for my handheld gps. I also recarpeted the boat & replaced the cheap boat seats with real console seats from the folks at The Boat Seat Store - Boat Seats Ship For Free. Boat Seats Ship Within 24 Hours. Boat Seats In Stock. I got a new windshield from custom mold & tint in Monticello, & highly recommend them. Here are a couple of pics of the boat in the process.





I found a deal on a recessed trolling motor foot control holder, and installed it, as well as added an extra seat mount in the floor of the boat for the kids when we pleasure boat & tube.

Next post will be the results.

[randybenham]

After doing all of this work, I'm feeling pretty good. I've upgraded the rig, & things are looking good. I am having a little bit of trouble with the engine, not wanting to run right, especially after it warms up. Boat looks great. Have a friend that is a painter, who I got to re clearcoat the top cap of the boat, and it helps the finish tremendously. Here are some pics of the cosmetic improvements.








Bad news from my mechanic is that the powerhead needs to be rebuilt, but I got a great deal on one from my mechanic in Stuttgart. rebuilt my head for me & took me out on the water to run the engine & make sure I'm happy. I highly recommend Heath Mitchell at Mitchell ATV & boat repair. I'm finally satisfied with all of this work. I had to put in a couple of fouled bilge pumps last weekend, as well as fixing the speedometer, and everything is in order. I plan on being on the water now instead of working on the boat. I've had to do a lot of things, including repacking the bearings on the boat trailer as well as getting new tires for the trailer. whew! I'm ready to fish. Hopefully, now I have a rig I can do a lot of different things in, and should be able to keep this thing on the water anytime of the year. Very educational experience.

[willk]

Wow, looks like a new boat!

[Fishtaco]

Its hard to argue with the results. It looks great.

What did you use to 'reclear cost' the top side?

[fishmannyj]

Nice work! Enjoyment will that much sweeter knowing you done most of the work yourself! I have redone a couple and have enjoyed them all! My current project is an aluminium Hawk. Enjoy!

[gasper_goul]

you did a good job...looks great

[DRPEPPER]

Good job Randy.
I am resurrecting a toon boat. I got a question. I know you have a camper. How do you intend to get all of that stuff to the lake at the same time? It takes me two vehicles to get all of my stuff out there now when the whole family is going. I need a camper too. I am thinking about a class A motor home so I can still keep it down to a caravan of two vehicles pulling two boats.
DP

[mikeg]

Randy that looks like a new boat you did a fantastic job on it.

mikeg

[randybenham]

Good job Randy.
I am resurrecting a toon boat. I got a question. I know you have a camper. How do you intend to get all of that stuff to the lake at the same time? It takes me two vehicles to get all of my stuff out there now when the whole family is going. I need a camper too. I am thinking about a class A motor home so I can still keep it down to a caravan of two vehicles pulling two boats.
DP

DP,

I wound up getting rid of our motorhome. We had the same issues that you have. It would be very hard to manage a motorhome & big bass rig like that. I wound up telling the mrs. that we would just stay in cabins when we go camping. I will wind up doing better that way money wise to be honest with you. by the time you calculate gas, and camper payments for 12 months, you have to use the camper a lot to see any savings. we still don't have that much time to be go camping. the issue I had with the motor home is being locked in wherever I went, and didn't feel comfortable launching the boat w/ a 38ft motorhome.

[randybenham]

Its hard to argue with the results. It looks great.

What did you use to 'reclear cost' the top side?

fishtaco,

we used airplane clear coat, which is very hard stuff. all of the clearcoat was gone off of the top cap, all the way down to the metalflake. My friend did this for me at no cost. I did the sanding & taping myself. I tried to pay him for his trouble, & he wouldn't take anything for it. The wife & I did take them out to copeland's to eat to show my appreciation. The interesting thing is before he painted it, the metalflake was very dull, and a different shade before. what he did made a huge difference in the appearance.