small boat
SVT
Posted 9/21/2008 3:47 PM (#337095)
Subject: small boat


who fishes out of a 14ft boat?.....
RyanJoz
Posted 9/21/2008 3:55 PM (#337097 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat




Posts: 1762


Location: Mt. Zion, IL
i do....
SVT
Posted 9/21/2008 8:30 PM (#337126 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat


i dont wanna drop alot of coin and jsut wondering peoples experience's with them..
RyanJoz
Posted 9/21/2008 9:16 PM (#337140 - in reply to #337126)
Subject: Re: small boat




Posts: 1762


Location: Mt. Zion, IL
I fish out of an Alumacraft T-14 and I handle Lake Shelbyville just fine. It can get rough on weekends, not Vermillion rough but 3 foot waves are very common with all the pleasure boaters. The boat I have is really easy to handle and uses about a gallon of gas per trip (usually 14 hours worth). This is for a typical trip which I am not trolling all day. I have a '99 15 hp Johnson 2 stroke and the boat jumps on plane. If you get creative with some wood and a motorguide tm, you can even fish out of the front. I can take pics of a floor I put in ahead of the 2nd seat. The tm has to be motorguide because the mount for the minn kota would clamp onto the rail. The wood is used to "shim" the transom mount and allow it to mount right at the bow. If you pull the head apart you can rotate the controls 180 degrees so that the tm will pull the boat instead of having to use it in reverse with the handle facing you. It does get very cramped with 2 people bringing "typical" muskie anglers' amounts of gear. I have a lakewood monster and since it is my boat I limit what others bring. The kahuna also gets in the way a lot but is well worth it when a fish is at boatside. I am going home this weekend and I can take pictures of the rig for you if you like.
esoxfly
Posted 9/22/2008 5:33 AM (#337165 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat





Posts: 1663


Location: Kodiak, AK
Ryan, I would like to see some pics; just for the sake of seeing your modifications. Sounds pretty cool.
johnny
Posted 9/22/2008 11:32 AM (#337208 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat




Posts: 29


Location: n.ireland
i've got a with 475 just over 14"
double skinned works well in a fairly big swell
but our lakes dont go much over 4-500 acres
5hp outboards enough but 15 really pushes it on
floydss
Posted 9/22/2008 12:24 PM (#337219 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat





Posts: 282


Location: north west wisconsin
i fish out of a 76 alumacraft with a 77 35hp johnson and I feel it fishs great for what it is. I took all the metal seats out and put a flat bottom in it with a casting deck in the back and one in the front with a custom built spot for the battery and the minkota maxxum tm the net does take alot of room but it fishs two people just fine not going out on mille lacs with it but is a great puddle jumper
FEVER
Posted 9/27/2008 9:07 AM (#338065 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat





Posts: 253


Location: On the water
SVT
I have been fishing out of a 1475 Northwoods with a 25 horse Mercury for about 9 years and it has been fine by me. Ive fished Kinkaid, Shelbyville, Fox Chain, Webster, and a number of Wisconsin lakes without a problem. Of course you have to watch the weather, Ive been in 2-3 foot waves and thats about the maximum I would take the boat out in.
Tom
Ranger
Posted 10/1/2008 4:54 PM (#338817 - in reply to #337095)
Subject: Re: small boat





Posts: 3926


I've been fishing from a 14'er for 15 years. It's a mid-70's Blue Finn with a 15hp merc and a Minnkota 55 Maxxum. The previous owner removed the middle and front bench seats. He trimmed the middle bench and placed it just behind where the front bench was located, very clever. He put in the original floor. Since I've owned it I've.....

* upgraded the motor 3 times
* upgraded the trolling motor twice
* totally (re)wired the boat, added high quality lights
* added a battery box in the bow to hold a big deep cycle
* added a fused switch box for everything electric
* replaced the floor 2 times
* replaced the seats 3 times
* created a "rod holder" that lets me place a bunch of rods in the boat
* placed non-skid tape on the floor/interior boat sides so I can stand steady for figure 8's

I love this little boat, though it is not safe in big water. I've dragged it all over MI, WI and MN; maybe 10,000 miles on the trailer. How do you like the MuskieFirst Pro-Team sticker?






Edited by Ranger 10/1/2008 5:39 PM



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