thunderheart
New member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 3
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Yo Tin Boaters,
Just found the site and wow ... very cool. Anyway, about 2 years ago I bought a Fishermarine 16 foot "Something" Runner. It isn't a "Marsh" Runner. Has the square bow. "River" Runner maybe? Considering it is an '86 model it was in excellent condition. I got the boat/motor/trailer etc for $1800. Had an old Hummingbird flasher and an Eagle LCD CR. Also a brand new spare prop for the Evenrude 30 which purrs like a kitten and sips gas. Gave the guy an extra $200 for a 55 lb Minnkota he had there as well. I've fished it since with no problems. However, my experience with the boat has me wanting to make some minor modifications. Here are a couple of pictures to help illustrate:
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/20080216Boating0019.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0660.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0658.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0659.jpg
Issue #1: Livewell location / Starboard list
As you can see from the first picture, I'm not exactly a 90 lb. ballerina. If you look at the second shot, you'll see just in front of the console a box with a carpeted top. This box contains a cooler rigged as a livewell which isn't in very good shape. With me, the livewell, and the cranking battery on the starboard side, I get a pronounced list. With a partner (like my wife) in the boat it isn't a problem but alone ... not so good. Also, anybody in the stern has a hard time gettin' a fish into the livewell without alot of extra effort.
Issue #2: Forward deck too small
My legs are pretty long and I need a little more room up front. Also, I think if the seat post was a little further back, the boat would be a little more stable.
Issue #3: Trolling motor mount needs re-enforcement.
The OEM trolling motor (a Johnson) has got to go. Old, loud, inefficient and weak. The mounting box is a little decrepit as you can see from the third picture. The fourth shot shows the 12V, 55 lb. thrust MinnKota I want to mount on it. The mounting shoe on this motor is larger than the OEM so it will stick out a little but I think it will work.
So what I have in mind is this:
Modification #1: Remove existing livewell and extend front deck back toward console. Add small prefab livewell athwartships under this new decking and move the seat post back about 6"
Modification #2: Add a livewell in the stern deck on the port side behind the passenger side underway seat. Or maybe a 2-compartment that can be counter-flooded for better port-side ballasting.
Modification #3: Use a durafix rod to braze small cracks in the trolling motor box and then re-enforce with some aluminum angle strips
Other: Use durafix to fill some cosmetic holes from old mounting brackets etc. Re-wire the electronics (done most of this) with new switch panels. Blast the trailer and repaint it. Replace the carpet on the bunks.
Any comments / encouragement (especially encouragement!) would be appreciated. I'm wanna make this thing a Crappie Killing Machine and I have given up on the green carp for good.
Dallas
Just found the site and wow ... very cool. Anyway, about 2 years ago I bought a Fishermarine 16 foot "Something" Runner. It isn't a "Marsh" Runner. Has the square bow. "River" Runner maybe? Considering it is an '86 model it was in excellent condition. I got the boat/motor/trailer etc for $1800. Had an old Hummingbird flasher and an Eagle LCD CR. Also a brand new spare prop for the Evenrude 30 which purrs like a kitten and sips gas. Gave the guy an extra $200 for a 55 lb Minnkota he had there as well. I've fished it since with no problems. However, my experience with the boat has me wanting to make some minor modifications. Here are a couple of pictures to help illustrate:
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/20080216Boating0019.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0660.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0658.jpg
https://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/thunderhearts_bucket/100_0659.jpg
Issue #1: Livewell location / Starboard list
As you can see from the first picture, I'm not exactly a 90 lb. ballerina. If you look at the second shot, you'll see just in front of the console a box with a carpeted top. This box contains a cooler rigged as a livewell which isn't in very good shape. With me, the livewell, and the cranking battery on the starboard side, I get a pronounced list. With a partner (like my wife) in the boat it isn't a problem but alone ... not so good. Also, anybody in the stern has a hard time gettin' a fish into the livewell without alot of extra effort.
Issue #2: Forward deck too small
My legs are pretty long and I need a little more room up front. Also, I think if the seat post was a little further back, the boat would be a little more stable.
Issue #3: Trolling motor mount needs re-enforcement.
The OEM trolling motor (a Johnson) has got to go. Old, loud, inefficient and weak. The mounting box is a little decrepit as you can see from the third picture. The fourth shot shows the 12V, 55 lb. thrust MinnKota I want to mount on it. The mounting shoe on this motor is larger than the OEM so it will stick out a little but I think it will work.
So what I have in mind is this:
Modification #1: Remove existing livewell and extend front deck back toward console. Add small prefab livewell athwartships under this new decking and move the seat post back about 6"
Modification #2: Add a livewell in the stern deck on the port side behind the passenger side underway seat. Or maybe a 2-compartment that can be counter-flooded for better port-side ballasting.
Modification #3: Use a durafix rod to braze small cracks in the trolling motor box and then re-enforce with some aluminum angle strips
Other: Use durafix to fill some cosmetic holes from old mounting brackets etc. Re-wire the electronics (done most of this) with new switch panels. Blast the trailer and repaint it. Replace the carpet on the bunks.
Any comments / encouragement (especially encouragement!) would be appreciated. I'm wanna make this thing a Crappie Killing Machine and I have given up on the green carp for good.
Dallas
