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Capt Dave purchased this boat from Capt Brady Bounds (who is still guiding in a bigger boat). It will be transformed into a crappie/catfish fishing machine for its second life on the Potomac.
This what it looks like with the rear deck removed before Capt Dave started the transformation.
First and most frustrating step was to get every light on the trailer working for inspection. After a couple new wires fished down the trailer and the lights working the battery on the truck went dead.. jump start the truck and bingo all the lights work. Half a day on your back on cement takes it's toll on a body.
Next comes fitting the cooler into the rear deck.
Then once that is done comes the task of removing the old electronic and transducer and installing a new Ray marine Dragonfly system.
Then comes the task of rod holder mounts with angles and clearances measured twice before holes are made.
More later
Capt Mike
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This is very cool...I have fished on that boat. Looking forward to seeing it after you get guys get done with it.
Cement saps your energy when laying on it.
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Ok so where did we last leave off?.. Oh yea the fun and always easy rod holders in the gunnel trick. I decided that holders with plugs would be a benefit to prevent that early morning accident that some times happen. You know ,,, you pump gas into them thinking it is the gas tank. At 60 gallons you realize your mistake. I digress....
Turned out nice...you remember the cut away for the cooler?
Four more rod holders will mounted in the deck behind the cooler.
Now to add the bait well. Or as I like to call it "The Throne"
A paper towel holder will be mounted to the right side of console. Perhaps a magazine rack on the right.
Next will be spider rigs / trolling motor / charger / front padded cooler
Still have to figure a non slip floor into this build. Some kind of anchor mount and cleats..the boat has no cleats..
Capt Mike
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Excellent transformation of a fish catching machine. I wonder how many fish were landed on that boat? And how many more will?
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Keep the pics and story coming! Makes me want to convert an old boat myself. Are you going to build a frame on the deck to keep the baitwell in place? Water feed to keep aerated?
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Cool...I look forward to fishing for crappie on that boat!
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This is a cool thread. Excited to see the progress on your next post. Keep up the good work boys.
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Yesterday and today we managed a few hard installs and an easy one or two. Spider rigs installed adding 16 rod holders for crappie.
And the trolling motor got mounted and the power plug. Also installed was a chase tube for the 24 volt wires to a set of large batteries with 60 amp breaker and built in charger. Tested and working... Access doors and rear cleats are next.
Still need a main front cleat for anchor and four more 30 degree recessed rod holders. Oh and paint the floor.
Darn rain and snow is a pain.
Capt Mike
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Nice work....cool progress.
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Capt Dave writes: I am beat again. At it, starting at 0800 hours, til around 1830 hours. Some short breaks. Dad came over and hung out again all day. Simple things take longer than you imagine them taking. Charger and batteries all wired.
Bilge wired and plumbed.
Bait tank wired (I forgot to bring home the switch from work Friday)
Dad took the Goof Off and removed just about every bit of adhesive from the hull. Ready for fresh stickers. My oldest son took the Goof Off to the console. Just about completely clean now.
I am going to look for some white nylon plugs at Lowe's tomorrow. Too many holes in the console and other places to put silver screws everywhere. I will seal them and plug them.
Beat and tired from getting in out of the boat..
Off to the shower then bed. Daylight savings time sucks the first day. Up a 6 AM for me. It doesn't look like I'll be taking it out tomorrow. Maybe next weekend.
Capt Dave
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Sunday was nice enough to complete some very important projects on the boat. First and most important was to make it legal with tags and stickers.
Next is the anchor cleat and it was decided to mount on the inside to avoid the trolling motor. Also will be added are line chocks to direct anchor safely to one side.
A padded cooler will be mounted on the front deck to hold fish and provide a nice place to watch your crappie poles. The cooler will be tethered down to prevent movement.
Back to catfish and four more rod holders are mounted in the rear floor. So now the boat will hold 10 catfish rods and 16 crappie rods.
More later this week.
Capt Mike
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Very nice....what has Capt. Brady said about transforming his fly casting decks to slime decks?
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He was considering the change to cats and decided to just play out the convicts. On the other hand Capt Pete did his first catfish trip today and got two dozen in the 20 lb range. Interested to see his report.
Face it the Potomac Pike and Blue Cat is the trophy of the future.
Capt Mike
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I saw on FB that Pete was on the Mighty Mac today....
We will not have any snakies left if there are no limits imposed on them. I don't mind bow hunters getting some but not at the rate they are doing it at.
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Today's update is all of the on board lights are fixed and the Dragonfly is ready for a shakeout this Saturday. Several dates are open for groups of 3 or 4 for catfish and crappie spider style. For available dates see our website.
Capt Mike
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Well the boat is done and out for it's madden catfish trip. Aside from a few tweaks here and there the boat turned out nice. Here it is coming up to borrow bait from me.
Capt Mike
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What a great journey!
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Thanks but I give Capt Dave for all the hard work and sweat equity in the build. I merely pointed and advised. I watched the boat go thru its paces on Saturday as he twisted and gunned it again and again. It is a lot faster than expected and rides in a foot of water with no issue. This might be the boat that can also do red drum and handle 4 foot seas. It is a very wide boat and also very shallow at the same time. The 115 on the back is almost too much power and a 90 4 stroke Honda might be a calmer approach. Still with all its age the 115 has lot of torque and starts every time. I am impressed with it.
And I own a Mako..
Capt Mike
Last edited by captmikestarrett (Mar-16-14 4:48PM)
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I have always wanted to do a project like that. But I would be too impatient.
This is impressive!
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I enjoyed watching this whole process unfold from start to finish, and the end product looks great! Thanks for sharing.
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A boat's second life continued...
After fishing a full season, we thought that there were a few modifications to be made on the Atlantic.
We took the Atlantic out together a couple of times in the fall. One thought came to mind while running to the fishing grounds...SCARY...
There was plenty of seating but, nothing to hold on to.
Got a new leaning post with grab rail.
Heads were put together and ideas tossed around.
Back deck was disassembled.
Stay tuned...
Capt Mike
Capt Dave
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We finally get a nice day and we leave the Dale City flea market once it peters out, I got to do a little work on the Atlantic today. Aluminum frame work installed for the new bench seat. The dual bank charger and circuit breaker are installed. The batteries aren't buttoned down yet. A little progress and tomorrow is another nice day.
On Sunday front and rear decks where cut from a very tough board. And placed to be bolted down. Rod holders adjusted for new rail. Finished after dark so pics will be a week or so away.
Capt Dave
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That is a cool transformation.....especially since I have fished on that boat in its prior life.
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In the balmy 20 degree weather of Saturday a bit of progress was made to the floor redesign process.
But first had to remove 1/2 inch of ice from floor with hot water.
Stainless steel supports where added to the frame of rear seat. For the big guys so they will not bend the beams.
In this picture you can see the stainless steel support arms.
The next picture shows the rubber bushings added to soften the waves effect.
This next picture shows the deck in place and the handles mounted on the sides to hold on to.
It looks pretty neat and clean. Very sturdy too.
Next mount leaning seat with grab handles.
Need some warmer weather to paint floor. Most likely this summer.
Capt Dave
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Good work......especially in the cold.
DST this weekend!!
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