The AquaTruk

[GYPSY400]

Good day all, just thought I'd pass along a few pictures of the boat I recently finished.. I bought it in 2009 looking rather rough and leaky, but for the price I could even build one even if I bought steel at a good price.

 

[GYPSY400]

And here's what it looks like now:

 

[GYPSY400]

I used to use a 9.9 on it, for a blazing speed of 6 mph loaded, and 7.5 empty.. I now have a 1974 25 hp with electric start ( converted steering wheel model).. The boat does good empty, about 20 mph (33km/h on my Canadian GPS).. But loaded I'm still down to about 7 mph (13km/h)... Which I'm ok with. When the funds allow, I'm going to invest in the lowest pitch prop I can find.

 

[Lowe 2070 CC]

Very cool! Lot's of folks use steel jon boats down here for pushing ferrys. 14-16' steel jons with 15-25 hp motors. The constant force and leverage from the ferry tears aluminum up. I can get you some pics if you're interested.

 

[fender66]

There's something about that boat that looks military. Very interesting boat. Not much to it yet very functional. Nice job!

How much weight are you able to haul?

 

[fool4fish1226]

Looks like a work horse to me =D>

 

[GYPSY400]

There's something about that boat that looks military. Very interesting boat. Not much to it yet very functional. Nice job!

How much weight are you able to haul?

Well so far, that last picture with the quad and the trailer has been the heaviest.. Quad: 600+, trailer: 100.. Ramps: 50 and starting battery and gas: 50.. Plus the captain:200++. The quad trailer usually stays on the other side of the lake.
The boat did ok, but I'd rather be boating in calm water, waves are a little scary!.. It does plow some, so I want to attach some sort of splash guard on the front to avoid taking on water.. During the half hour trip, I probably take on 5-10 gallons from splash. A bilge pump will also be installed soon, since I already need a battery anyhow.

What this boat is used for: my hunting camp near Sudbury, ON is VERY remote.. We must travel 5.5km on the first lake, then hike 2.5km to a second lake where we have another boat.. Then it's another 2.5 km boat ride to camp.. What this boat allows me to do is bring the quad across the first lake, so the hike with a backpack becomes a quad ride towing the trailer.. Thus enabling my hunting partners and I to bring much more BEER!

Here is a pic of shangri-la

 

[fender66]

A picture is worth 1000 words. You just exceeded the maximum words. :LOL2:

That's an awesome hide away!