1992 Polar Kraft MVT-1751 with a 1992 Evinrude 60 HP…my first tin boat project

[Axhammer]

I’ve had a few boats over the years.

I have a 1992 Smoker Craft 1648 with a 1993 25 Rude. I bought the boat, motor & trailer for $2K in 2005.

I just sold my 1998 Ranger R91-I Bass Boat.

I just bought the 1751. It’s a little rough around the edges, being used for duck hunting for ten years, then it was parked since COVID. This will be my first tin boat project…wish me luck!

The MVT-1751 is a riveted Metal (aluminum), V-hull, tunnel designed for running skinny water.

 

[LDUBS]

I hope you circle back with pic's of the project -- I look forward to watching.

 

[Axhammer]

When I sold my Ranger, I told myself I would get by with the 1648. It is more than capable of doing a little fishing & crabbing, which is all I really want or need a boat for.

I also decided upgrading the 25 to a 35 on the 1648 would be fun. I have a bad habit…I “Feel the need for Speed”.

I picked up a nice clean Evinrude 35 SS engine from CL, that I plan on getting up and running, and putting on my 1648. My plan is to document everything I do to both boats in this thread. I am going to manufacture a Jack plate for the 1648, in an effort to get the maximum top speed out of the current 25 HP Rude, with the 13 pitch prop that’s been on it since I bought it. It seems to be the perfect prop for this set-up because it screams.

I did a GPS pass with it when I took it out for its test run the other day.

The 25 ran 31.6 MPH with a light load, just me and a paddle & life jacket.

I wonder how much I pick up with a Jack plate?

 

[Axhammer]

I’ll post some pictures of the 1751 from when I bought it. These are all “before” pictures.

 

[Axhammer]

 

[Axhammer]

Deleted.

 

[Axhammer]

View attachment 114760 View attachment 114761

The 1751 is pretty much open from the rear seat forward. I can see several cracks in the center of the ribs. The front deck has a hole cut in it. The two storage boxes, are the only storage in the boat.

The port box has the battery, and the other has some miscellaneous equipment you would expect to carry in a boat.

My plan is to remove both storage box’s and build a new forward deck, extending it back far enough to locate some storage bins. I want to mount a trolling motor and a fishing seat post on the front deck as well, for fishing.

The two boxes will be removed, I won’t need them after extending the front deck, it will have plenty of storage in the front deck. Plus I may add storage under the rear seat.

I want to build a new console, a center console. I will be using this boat alone most of the time, so I am building it exactly the way I want it. I like the idea of centerline seating when driving the boat.

When I bought that Ranger, I did it, so I could take my wife fishing, which we did for years, but she doesn’t go with me that much anymore. That’s the primary reason I sold the Ranger. It was a big heavy boat, that could handle heavy water much better than the 1648. It was fast with a Mercury 200 EFI, but it was hard for me to load and unload the boat on my own. It was just too much boat for what I want, hence the 1751 found me…lol

 

[Axhammer]

This hull weighs less that 400 lbs empty. When I get done with it, with an extended deck with storage bins, a trolling motor & two batteries, I suspect it will add some weight, but it should remain light for its size. I do plan on installing .125” sheet aluminum for the floors too. I will post a sketch of my vision for this boat. My center console will have a single passenger seat in front of it. I will use this as the live well/bait compartment.

 

[airshot]

When I sold my Ranger, I told myself I would get by with the 1648. It is more than capable of doing a little fishing & crabbing, which is all I really want or need a boat for.

I also decided upgrading the 25 to a 35 on the 1648 would be fun. I have a bad habit…I “Feel the need for Speed”.

I picked up a nice clean Evinrude 35 SS engine from CL, that I plan on getting up and running, and putting on my 1648. My plan is to document everything I do to both boats in this thread. I am going to manufacture a Jack plate for the 1648, in an effort to get the maximum top speed out of the current 25 HP Rude, with the 13 pitch prop that’s been on it since I bought it. It seems to be the perfect prop for this set-up because it screams.

I did a GPS pass with it when I took it out for its test run the other day.

The 25 ran 31.6 MPH with a light load, just me and a paddle & life jacket.

I wonder how much I pick up with a Jack plate?

The real question is what rpm is that motor turning?? To high and she will be short lived....

 

[Axhammer]

I have a mini tach I can throw on…good idea!

I have run WOT a lot with this motor over the years, she is definitely a screamer.

I seems to like the 10 x 13 prop that’s been on it since I bought the boat.