"new" stick steer conversion

**bayoumonster** · 02-13-2014, 01:07 AM

I posted on a thread pertaining to stick steer boats recently, and thought I'd post some pics of my newest rig. This boat is a 16' VIP that came with no decks, but had a console. It came with a factory side-mounted live-well and small live well on the bow. I removed the console and console seat (seat was fiberglassed into the floor-major PITA) and installed stick steering, got longer throttle and shift cables, built a custom rod box, moved the speedo and tach up front, made a panel for the bow which was missing and relocated the trolling motor plug into it, and relocated the motor controls. I've still got to re-install the trolling motor (which had the foot pedal cable too short from the factory) with a different trolling motor and mount the pedal to the floor properly. I also have to weld up some aluminum rod holders for spider-rigging as well. I'm hoping to have a decent sonar by next fall as well, though the old Lowrance at least shows depth. If you notice, the hull has a nice Vee to it which I believe will somewhat cut down on the beating when going through a chop. I've never put it in the water since I got it home except in my pond, so I'm anxious to try it out and see how the stick steering handles with me up front. It has a 60 Yamaha on it and although I had to replace the water pump impeller, it ran out nice the day I bought it and easily go the boat up on plane and ran about 35mph, which is plenty of speed for me. I don't like for my eyelids to flap while running my boat! Not a pretty boat, and not fast, but I believe it will be very comfortable for the kind of fishing I do. My rod box has a separate door for both driver and rear seats, along with separate conduits for the rods. Hopefully it will cut down on the number of snapped rods and broken reels that I have had in the past. I bought it before Christmas a couple of months ago, and am just now "finishing" it. Will post some results after the first test run.
I love my stick steer boats that I don't have a lot of money tied up in.

Name: vip1.jpg
Views: 1482
Size: 21.4 KB

Name: vip2.jpg
Views: 1443
Size: 15.0 KB

Name: vip3.jpg
Views: 1320
Size: 18.0 KB

**shadow** · 02-13-2014, 06:47 AM

From what I can tell, it looks likt a nice setup. Pictures are kind of dark, would love to see some more when you have more daylight in them. lol Looks like a great setup though!

**fishervet** · 02-13-2014, 08:13 AM

Talent.... Nice work

**"G"** · 02-13-2014, 08:16 AM

You did a good job

**warhawk** · 02-13-2014, 09:29 AM

Nice work, what kind of boat was it originally?

**Fish on Line** · 02-13-2014, 11:17 AM

Can't wait bor the rest of the photos also showing the back and rod holders. Is that a storage box on the right side ????

**Tracker123** · 02-13-2014, 01:34 PM

Nice work, it's fun doing projects like that. Thanks for posting.

**fishervet** · 02-13-2014, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tracker123

Nice work, it's fun doing projects like that. Thanks for posting.

Fun? Work

**bayoumonster** · 02-13-2014, 10:49 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I'll post some decent pics when I get a chance. Those are some rod boxes on the side, but no real storage. I'm hoping to add a small storage box for life vests in the middle of the side of the rod box. Maybe a spot to throw trash away on the rear port side. I like having the sides of the boat up around me so that they break the wind a little on cold days which I fish a lot of, and because I like to have my jigs/hooks/tackle box up near waist level so I can get to them easier. I also like have the live well access quick and easy. When they're biting, I don't like to have to stand up, turn around, and kneel down to open up a deck live well. I know----lazy, right?! Anyway, I'm selling my skeeter bass rig which is a much better looking and much newer boat as far as hours of use, and keeping this old VIP boat (Vivian Industrial Plastics). I will post some pics of my rod boxes on the inside when I get a chance. I'm thinking some rod holders and a better sonar will finish it out nicely. I do enjoy projects, but have far too many going at once lately. Got to fix my bro-in-law's suburban, my dad's old chevy 4x4, 2 of my dad's buddies' outboards, etc. etc. Sometimes seems like it never ends.
JBJ

**Beeramid** · 02-13-2014, 10:54 PM

It looks great, my Grandfather has a Bass Tracker with stick steer in the front, its nice for fishing white perch.

Thread: "new" stick steer conversion

Thread Tools

Display

"new" stick steer conversion

Posting Permissions