Building a catfish boat

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DM1975

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Location
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Well I recently got a Tracker Topper 1436 but I don’t pick it up for three weeks. I decided that in that time I would build a rod holder rack. I also plan on mounting a remote control spotlight to it.

I was originally going to just make one out of mild steel and paint it and build a wood decal for it to mount to in the back but I decided to save weight and keep safer from corrosion I’d use aluminum... of which I know not how to weld.

I have decided I’ll use an old army cot and a couple of 8020 10/10 rails I have from another hobby of mine.

I hope you all enjoy my build thread on it. The boat will be very military looking when I’m done with it. Here is an artists rendition of what I plan to do to the boat. :p

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Here is what I have to use. I may end up having to gut another cot but they have just about everything I need on them. Best thing about it is I can adjust the size of the footing width. I also have some spare aluminum angle and 2” flat strap to use.

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Here are some pictures of the build. I’ll add more as I go. Also they uploaded in reverse order.

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Thanks. I seen this video where the guy makes kind of a bumper/grill guard/light bar rail on the front of his boat and I’m kind of wanting to do that except out of fiberglass probably. I’ve also been through a few different floor plans for the deck and floor but I think this one may win out.

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Some of the things I want to accomplish with this build is simplicity, no carpet, plenty of room, plenty of illumination, build more around running trotlines and limb lines.

I’m thinking of some kind of rubber matting for the floor and skateboard tape on the casting deck. I also have a Golight Radioray remote control spotlight I will mount to it so I can easily spot my lines in the dark. Also mounting an LED light bar up front for river navigation.

I had originally envisioned this being painted a light army green but now I’m thinking maybe a desert tan? Not sure on that part yet. I’ve also got some plans to incorporate a few things such as a detachable trotline roller and detachable cleaning hook. One like I have at my house so I can just skin the fish on the boat (I don’t like to fillet). I will have to have tunes so a stereo is a must. That and GPS.

I have a few other things I’m looking at doing but I’ll wait till I’ve solidified those plans first before I share them.
 
That square tubing you got looks like it will work nicely, but if you need more or want to try more complex stuff like rails..T tops...Rod holders...etc. These types of conduit fittings allow you build almost anything you can imagine... I use them everywhere...
IMG_1595.JPG
IMG_1915.JPG


1" is very strong... but larger is also available.
https://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fittings-1-Inch-s/7.htm
 
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to see what I can build out of that now lol. I like using irregular items to “invent” stuff lol.

Here are a couple other photos showing the spotlight tower construction so far. The bracket I made is just too small to match up with the spotlight base and just too big that it’s in the way so I’ll likely put a piece of starboard on it and offset the spotlight just a bit.

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Thanks. I’m tossing around the idea of building a small steering console that can flip up out of the way to the side of the boat. Not sure if I can make it or not yet but I’m gonna give it some thought.
 
I have everything For the rack primed and painted. Just waiting for it to cure before I put it back together. I’ve also been coming up with alternate layouts for the inside.

Still a couple weeks left till I go get it so I’m doing up as many possible deck layouts as I can think of so I can make sure everything sizes up properly and explore all options I can come up with.

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Here is a layout design I think I may go with. It’s simple and straightforward. The drawing looks crooked in a few spots but it’s because I was holding the drawing and taking a picture of it.

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One thing I always find myself wishing for on a spotlight boat is a way to get it up higher so I can shoot it down on the surface more and get it above the people standing, so they don't cast a shadow where I'm trying to see.... I wonder if you mounted that on a sliding bar that you could raise and lower.... lock with a thumbscrew....? That also helps keep the bugs as far away as possible...
 
Shaugh said:
One thing I always find myself wishing for on a spotlight boat is a way to get it up higher so I can shoot it down on the surface more and get it above the people standing, so they don't cast a shadow where I'm trying to see.... I wonder if you mounted that on a sliding bar that you could raise and lower.... lock with a thumbscrew....? That also helps keep the bugs as far away as possible...

Now that is a stellar idea!!! At the moment it sits almost 4 ft high. I was planning on just using it for spotting the bank and limb lines but I can see how being able to spot from higher might be advantageous.
 
I figure I’ll paint the boat a desert tan or marsh grass with all accessories painted black. For the deck I’d like to try some of that EVA foam maybe in a brown or darker tan that the boat. I can not stand carpet in a boat at all.

I do kinda want to give the boat the appearance of something kinda militaristic due to my background. I was originally just going to do OD or Army green but almost every Jon boat on the planet is green. Plus I served mainly in the desert so a tan color is more my style I guess.

When done I shall name it Jon Ramboat! :D
 
Well that’s about finished. Just a few things left but still not bad for an old aluminum army cot.

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There she be. I replaced the tires and rims with new (and bigger) ones for the trip back up to Kansas after this picture was taken.

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I love your work, and the idea of using old army cots! Please keep posting and sharing your tips, awesome job!
*Also, thank you for serving our country.
 

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