Re: ideas on a combo boat
In March, I just bought my first boat and wanted to fish (for me) and ski (for everybody else) but there was no way I could get my wife to agree on a powerful fishing boat. ("They don't look as pretty as the 'others'")<br /><br />Anyway, I bought a 90 Seaswirl Spyder open-bow, 5.0 OMC I/O. It is immaculate. It had ski boat written all over it... until I got a hold of it.
<br />I took out all the seat cushions and used them as templates on 1/4" osb boards and stapled & glued marine carpet to the boards. I bolted 2x4's on the front board shaped like 3/4's of a square; flush with the top of the bow to allow me to attach my trolling motor on top of it so that part is on the 2x4's and the rest on the bow of the boat. The front board is bolted to the boat and the troller padlocked to the board. (If somebody wants it, they'll really have to work at it!) Since all of the open bow seats have storage underneath, I cut out a 18x16" rectangle in one of the boards, which now accomadates my battery or my trolling motor, fish finder, and live-well. The other (3rd) bow board, I cut a 24x12" rectangle and hinged (stainless steel, of course)the board back on. I placed an old 10 gal. aquarium in the storage and placed a $14 aerator inside the aquarium... Close the lid... Ta-Da, instant live-well. Or, fill with ice and close the lid to keep your beverages of choice cold! Bought 2 $30 fishing seats @ Wal-Mart (that match the boat) Built a "box" w/ 2x6's that fit perfectly between the 3 board/seats. Also covered that with marine carpet. It sits about 12" above the "boards." Attached a handle (it's kind of heavy but my wife doesn't fish
), an 11" seat pedestal, swivel, and the seat. The back of the boat has "sun deck" cushions that cover the motor and 2 side storage areas. Same deal (template, carpet, ect.) Used 1/2 plywood for these and reinforced underneath edges with 2x4's. Drilled 2 holes on each side of the middle (motor) board and attached 2 metal seat mounts to them. This allows the "other" fisher to place the seat on either side of the boat. <br /><br />Taking the family up to Michigan Saturday for a week to give it a true test. (The neighbors think I'm crazy as I sit on my fishing seat in my ski boat on the trailer in my driveway, casting into the front yard!
)<br /><br />To convert it, it takes about 5 to 10 mins if you leave the troller in. 20-25mins convert it all.<br /><br />Total cost (not including troller) was under $350<br /><br />I know this is long, but I was very pleased at how it turned out. Now everybodys happy. <br /><br />After I get back maybe I'll post some pictures of the process if anybody is interested.<br /><br />Basically, we have a family of five and a fishing boat won't seat enough and a true fish/ski boat were too expensive for our budget. Used ski boats are more abundant and more affordable in my opinion. <br /><br />Hope this helps... If not, sorry you had to read my ramblings.<br /><br />-nomad-
