Aluminum drift boat build.
- Thread starter koditten
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Robert Haas
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2010
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Close in the area under the front seat, fill that with foam, and another near the transom should keep it on the surface if you get er bottom side up. I speak from experience as we built an aluminum rowing dory that ended up swamped several times and we always were able to recover it.
Good advice, Bob. What rivers did you have get the best of you?
Here in Michigan, especially the lower peninsula, there are no rivers that will tax a person's ability to float. Think a pond with a stiff breeze.
Obviously, I joke, but safety is very important. I plan on taking the boat to the local launch and submerging it to see what it takes to keep it off the bottom.
I welcome all posts. Thanks for keeping me thinking.
Here in Michigan, especially the lower peninsula, there are no rivers that will tax a person's ability to float. Think a pond with a stiff breeze.
Obviously, I joke, but safety is very important. I plan on taking the boat to the local launch and submerging it to see what it takes to keep it off the bottom.
I welcome all posts. Thanks for keeping me thinking.
Robert Haas
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,749
Oh I would love to regail you with stories of hitting category 5 Whitewater or braving 12foot falls,...truth be told we have turned it over next to the dock loading gear in and out of it.
Metal boats sink, (so do glass ones) It is a constant battle with buoyancy and gravity.
Metal boats sink, (so do glass ones) It is a constant battle with buoyancy and gravity.
Ruthless53
Well-known member
What are you fishing for mainly in Michigan and how's the fishing?
If you you think you and the family would enjoy Branson area or just quiet with beautiful scenery and ALOT of fish the the White River in a Mountain Home Arkansas is a great place!!! The water release at the dams at Bull shoals as well as 7 or 8 other lakes is at 350+ feet so you get 52 degree water year around and catch trout for 30+ miles downstream. Several smaller rivers join up to the white and give you 3 or 4 different options.
We stay at Gastons White River Resort (also has a grass runway for the pilots) and it's 1/2 a mile down river and some of the best spots on the river are accessible by bank. We had heard about night fly fishing for big browns so we gave it a shot. Using the bank and a spotlight we would find a fish and usually get a couple shots at it. My cousin is the fly fisherman so I was the spotter and we hooked into this 33" brown. Took us 100 yards up river and about 500 yards. Talk about a battle/ballet performance on wet slippery rocks. That area really is an amazing slice of gods work!!! We go every Memorial Day weekend!!
If you you think you and the family would enjoy Branson area or just quiet with beautiful scenery and ALOT of fish the the White River in a Mountain Home Arkansas is a great place!!! The water release at the dams at Bull shoals as well as 7 or 8 other lakes is at 350+ feet so you get 52 degree water year around and catch trout for 30+ miles downstream. Several smaller rivers join up to the white and give you 3 or 4 different options.
We stay at Gastons White River Resort (also has a grass runway for the pilots) and it's 1/2 a mile down river and some of the best spots on the river are accessible by bank. We had heard about night fly fishing for big browns so we gave it a shot. Using the bank and a spotlight we would find a fish and usually get a couple shots at it. My cousin is the fly fisherman so I was the spotter and we hooked into this 33" brown. Took us 100 yards up river and about 500 yards. Talk about a battle/ballet performance on wet slippery rocks. That area really is an amazing slice of gods work!!! We go every Memorial Day weekend!!
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marinusdees
Well-known member
Lookin' good. When and where do the seats come in? I have never seen a driftboat with a walk beside rower's seat, but then, I'm a very back number.
I don't think you need flotation in a drift boat unless required to pass a Coast Guard inspection. Then, I would put it in to satisfy the inspection and then take it out Use the space to store your raingear, etc. Adds weight. If you dump the boat, get your *** to the beach. Last thing you need to do is float down the river hanging onto the boat. It and you will wind up in a logjam. Most likely, dead. Definitely wear a flotation vest. I have run many miles of river, some pretty challenging, so I don't think I'm blowing smoke.
I don't think you need flotation in a drift boat unless required to pass a Coast Guard inspection. Then, I would put it in to satisfy the inspection and then take it out Use the space to store your raingear, etc. Adds weight. If you dump the boat, get your *** to the beach. Last thing you need to do is float down the river hanging onto the boat. It and you will wind up in a logjam. Most likely, dead. Definitely wear a flotation vest. I have run many miles of river, some pretty challenging, so I don't think I'm blowing smoke.
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marinusdees
Well-known member
Doesn't mean you're not ciphering on seat structure and placement, etc. Not suggesting you make this a marathon. This should be fun and also a learning experience. As I think it is for you.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm not a boat person by any means but I can definitely appreciate the fabrication process. Great job.
Mike.
Mike.
TheNerd
Well-known member
Boat looks great, keep us posted on the progress. If that boat sinks you would just need to stand up, I wouldn't bother with foam either.
Remember how I was complaining how many tips I was going thru and how I couldn't get the spool gun to feed an entire roll of wire?
I found the issue.
Turns out the gear box attached to the drive motor was stripped out, or mostly stripped out. After replacing the assembly, the spool gun works like it should. I was actually doubting my MIG welding abilities when using that gun.
I found out thru Michigan AirGas that this is an apparently a consumable part. The Elkhart, Indiana store tries to keep 6 on hand. I was told that Elkhart is the aluminum trailer building capital of the USA, so they have many, many customers that use the Miller 30A spools gun. I'm half joking when I say "consumable part" I don't expect to have to buy another assembly again.
This is a picture of the part I replaced. I looks like a Lionel model train engine electric motor. Only a lot more money.https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/spool-gun-*******-up-new-drive-motor-time.549536/full?lightbox=1&last_edit_date=1484265545
I found the issue.
Turns out the gear box attached to the drive motor was stripped out, or mostly stripped out. After replacing the assembly, the spool gun works like it should. I was actually doubting my MIG welding abilities when using that gun.
I found out thru Michigan AirGas that this is an apparently a consumable part. The Elkhart, Indiana store tries to keep 6 on hand. I was told that Elkhart is the aluminum trailer building capital of the USA, so they have many, many customers that use the Miller 30A spools gun. I'm half joking when I say "consumable part" I don't expect to have to buy another assembly again.
This is a picture of the part I replaced. I looks like a Lionel model train engine electric motor. Only a lot more money.https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/spool-gun-*******-up-new-drive-motor-time.549536/full?lightbox=1&last_edit_date=1484265545
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I understand that ! During the holidays I bought a couple of different "flavors" of adult beverages, less than 2 case total. Guests and I have probably drank less than 12 to date.
My wife goes through a case of Diet Pepsi in about a week !
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Saginaw Bay (between the thumb and fore finger of the MI mitten, not far from koditten) is good for walleye. Off the tip of the thumb, you can get lake trout and some salmon without having to go to far off shore.
On the west coast, salmon and lake trout. There are a zillion inland lakes, almost as many as MN. The ones in the UP have less fishing pressure.
Recreational fishing on the Great Lakes has really dropped off in the past 10-20 years. Less stocking or ?
On the west coast, salmon and lake trout. There are a zillion inland lakes, almost as many as MN. The ones in the UP have less fishing pressure.
Recreational fishing on the Great Lakes has really dropped off in the past 10-20 years. Less stocking or ?
ilovevocs
Well-known member
Have been really enjoying your build. I'm thinking of building a 10' jet boat for my kids to explore the creeks and canals around my marina.
I also want to pull it behind my boat so when we visit the islands we have a small craft to have some fun with.
We've been killing Perch in the Western basin Lake Erie for the past few years.
Walleye seems to be dependent on the mayflys. Once the mayflys come the walleye get off the bit real fast.
Best time of year to really get them is during the spawn at the mouth of the river.
Some conservationist from on fishing during the spawn but DNR doesn't seem to thing it has a huge affect on population so fishing is fishing to me.
Our lake is continuing to rebound from years of pollution and the introduction of foreign species.
We hit allot of bass around the islands and Sandusky bay, but it's a 3 hour steam for me so we rarely fish bass.
It's all fishin' thought. Lunch meat sammiches, good conversation, and some cocktails.
Sent from my under ground lair with tin foil hat on.
I also want to pull it behind my boat so when we visit the islands we have a small craft to have some fun with.
We've been killing Perch in the Western basin Lake Erie for the past few years.
Walleye seems to be dependent on the mayflys. Once the mayflys come the walleye get off the bit real fast.
Best time of year to really get them is during the spawn at the mouth of the river.
Some conservationist from on fishing during the spawn but DNR doesn't seem to thing it has a huge affect on population so fishing is fishing to me.
Our lake is continuing to rebound from years of pollution and the introduction of foreign species.
We hit allot of bass around the islands and Sandusky bay, but it's a 3 hour steam for me so we rarely fish bass.
It's all fishin' thought. Lunch meat sammiches, good conversation, and some cocktails.
Sent from my under ground lair with tin foil hat on.
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Built up the transom, or as I'm told, the stem of the boat. This should make a nice perch for a 10 HP or less motor.
I felt bad, I had to drill a hole in the transom, thru the brace and install a self tapper screw. It was the only way I could think of to close the gap on the brace to the transom.
I'll either weld the hole closed or I'll add a stainless eyelet to tie off of.
I felt bad, I had to drill a hole in the transom, thru the brace and install a self tapper screw. It was the only way I could think of to close the gap on the brace to the transom.
I'll either weld the hole closed or I'll add a stainless eyelet to tie off of.
pmason0
Well-known member
Such and awesome project been following for a while. Been trying to learn my spool gun, need to build a short aluminum ladder for my trailer.
Any trick to get a better starts, also starts out with a cold lump.
Any trick to get a better starts, also starts out with a cold lump.
Ruthless53
Well-known member
Built up the transom, or as I'm told, the stem of the boat. This should make a nice perch for a 10 HP or less motor.
I felt bad, I had to drill a hole in the transom, thru the brace and install a self tapper screw. It was the only way I could think of to close the gap on the brace to the transom.
I'll either weld the hole closed or I'll add a stainless eyelet to tie off of.
"Check her over and clean her up good from Stem to Stern"
Bow is Stem.....
Transom is Stern
Awesome work....we took my cousins flycraft and floated the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake here in Texas on Wednesday. First time trying the fly thing and it was definitely fun but wow I felt like a 3 year old with an open face reel and a dream.
I could get the fly were it needed to be pretty consistently but I had my share of birds nests in the tippet and might have caught two trees in my back cast.
I feel i did well mending the line but when it came to sticking the hook in a fish i was at a loss. I have never missed so many bites. I mean I'm sure most of them were the bottom but i'm not sure how many really were bites or bottom because i couldn't get a feel for it. We're headed back to the White River for Memorial day so I'm going to be making a few more practice trips on the Guadalupe before we go.
I have worked on/and was first mate on the deck of several 53'-65' billfish tournament boats and made quite a few dollars over the years in those tournaments. Caught a ton of fish inshore to offshore and some really big ones. That little tiny 6" rainbow might have been the hardest and made me feel the dumbest out of em all. New respect for all the fly guys out there. I'll be back for more.
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marinusdees
Well-known member
Finished up the chine trim and added a drain gusset/plate for the drain plugs while the boat was upside down. This just give the bottom some extra thickness for the plugs to wedge into.
Personally, would have put the drain plug in the center, fore and aft, so it would drain without tipping the trailer up. But, admire your drive. Don't stop. Bring it out to Washington and we'll float a river. You row. I'll pay for the gas, and give as much or as little advice as you want.
Promise, no more advice.
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hobie1dog
Well-known member
Thanks for posting this for us,
Fishing and ***- the two things while doing makes you say," I need to do this more often "
Fishing and ***- the two things while doing makes you say," I need to do this more often "
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Awesome fab work. I wish i lived closer... I would love to have you build me a trailer.
