Please check out my updated build videos on my home page as well as check out my Sun Dolphin adventure series playlist where I only fish from this boat 🛶🎣👉ua-cam.com/play/PLPAaJVwYQ5o4HW_lGKhrpDxgQYWIAXYTF.html
I have the same boat. I made the decks out of 1/4" plywood only with 1"x4" support on the low side and a small block on the front. The center deck is only one piece of 1/4" plywood. total weight of all decks is about 5 pounds.
*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*
Sun Dolphin sold out everywhere. Just bought a Pelican Intruder and a 6.5 gas motor. Gonna use it in a small river also. Just ordered it yesterday. Looking forward to making a few upgrades myself. Not sure if I want to do a deck or just put a floor in it.
website says 52" wide which wont fit between F250 wheel wells. True? Is it tippy when you stand up in it? I saw the tri hull smaller Water Tender looks more stable
Thanks you! Man I haven’t had this boat for 2 years but I miss it. This thing was great overall. I would probably try to find lighter materials if I could do it again. This thing got heavy and I didn’t have a trailer either. I may get another job boat in the near future though. Thanks for watching!!!
Do you have the measurements for the front casting deck? Bought one a month ago and have the center floor done but want the standing front deck it would be a great help!
the front casting deck measured lengthwise on centerline is 53 in long, at its widest point of width is 36in. At the point where the rod holder cut outs are its is 31 1/4 in. The other curvatures and contours will need to be trimmed to size after measuring. Also the casting deck will need to have a 3 in support that rest on the second seat, that way it is flush with the front seat. Please let me know if you have anymore questions I’ll be glad to help, the casting deck really makes the boat 10 times better. If you liked the video please subscribe!
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 Also not sure if I saw it wrong but you can actually flip the trolling motor propeller so that it will have better Propulsion just look up how to flip a minnkota trolling motor for Bow mount
@@danieljimenez728 yea I think in this video I only had it on there for showcasing the boat , but yea I did flip the motor for bow mount lol. I actually have a video for doing that conversation lol. If you haven’t please check out my other videos about this boat as this was my first video and it isn’t as good as the others.
You may not know cause it’s been a while but those scrap piece you used for the bottom, what were the measurments for those? Ex: 2x4 or 1x2? I know this is from 3 yrs ago but if you could help me out I would very much appreciate it
The cleat is screwed straight into the tan portion you were referring to. I used 3 in screws that have a very good thread pattern that will grab the plastic good. There isn’t any wood or anything else under this plastic so getting screws that will hold to the plastic is very important. I did use silicone caulk to seal the screw holes so water doesn’t get it. This is just the fast way that I did it and I haven’t had any issues with it coming loose or anything, but you could use well nuts or rivets which would probably be the recommended way if you want it super secure. But in my experience I haven’t notice much force being placed on the cleat that would make it come loose. Hope this helps.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 thanks for replying.. Appreciate the content and yes it did help me a ton. I dona ton of crappie fishing from the bank and ive had this boat for 5 years sitting in the garage 🤷 never used it so i decided this year lets try it but i want it to be comfortable and conducive to what im doing. So you said i can drill a seat down in the center of the sear area as well??? Dont want to destroy it 😂... I wouldnt want the srat standing too high either the wife would have a panic attack 😂
@@crappiesniper yea for installing seats they can be mounted straight to the pre-existing seat because there is plywood under the plastic there. If you are looking at swivel seats they make them without the post which will keep the seat low. They also make a mount that will clamp onto the seat plastic seat so you don’t have to drill, but I’m not sure how good those work.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 cool bro!!! Hopefully you get to do some fishing soon.. Im looking to do a lil later on...you can check out what i do at my channel if you like but Im subbing your channel indeed bro. Where are you located? Im in the Cincinnati area but i fish in 7 different states..
@@crappiesniper thanks man, I will definitely check out your channel and see what’s up. I’ve been fishing quite a bit, I have a bunch of vids uploaded from my adventures here in Missouri.
Great video! I just got the same boat today at Dunham’s... Is the anchor mount screwed into plastic only... or is the something more substantial under the plastic? I hear there is wood under the seats. I want to put folding seats on rear and middle spots.
The anchor mount is screwed only to the plastic with self taping screws that have larger threads. It is very solid and I haven’t had any issues yet. I also used silicone caulk to seal under the cleat. The force of the anchor is primarily placed on the plastic of the boat rather than the cleat. You are correct about wood being under the seats, that upgrade will be awesome.
I have really been enjoying your fishing videos on the Sun Dolphin Jon Boat. I have a spot on a small lake in MN and I think the Sun Dolphin may be a good option for me. I'd like to take a friend fishing with me. Have you ever used oars with the Sun Dolphin? Also, how did you measure up the platforms that you made for the Sun Dolphin? There are a lot of curves to get right, I only want to cut boards once 🤔. Thanks for the great videos!
Thanks Doug, I’m glad you have been enjoying the videos. I have never used oars with this boat but they should be easy to use with this boat due to the seating position. For making the platforms, I really didn’t measure anything. I took cardboard (several pieces taped together to make a huge piece. I then started trimming down the cardboard until I got all of the curvatures the way I wanted them. Then I used the cardboard as a template on the plywood. It was definitely a slow process getting all of curves cut out the way they needed to be. Good luck man!
Hey man, I love watching your videos! I am also a sun dolphin owner. I wanted to ask a HUGE favor, could you provide the dimensions to your casting deck? for the front and back or did you just use a cardboard to kinda draw or sketch out the deck size? Thanks man! God bless
It is a medium small size Craftsman plastic tote box, you can buy these from lowes for like $12. I’ve also used the marine battery boxes without the lid, those are only about $5, and they still hold these types of tackle boxes.
Thanks man! Yea this thing will definitely fit in the back of a tundra. I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with the 5.5ft box and it still fits fine, it will stick out about 4 feet or so. I hope this helps!
I’ve never had it in waters with huge wakes but I would say it would be fairly rough. This thing is great for a small river or ponds but going out on lakes with bigger boats it could ruin your day of fishing with big wakes.
What gage battery wire is that? I built out my 8’ Sportsman, but I might be picking up a 12’ like this tomorrow. I have a Minn-Kota Edge 45lb foot control. The 8’ is nice because it’s pre-wired from the back to the front plug. If I get it, I will have to get the wood and everything because I’m not going to be able to transfer my casting deck. I was hoping to get a 10’ Sportsman so I could just transfer it, but I found one of these for 12’ for $350
Thanks for the question, the wire is an 8 gauge. Please see this link for the product- Cable extension- Newport Vessels Trolling Motor Battery Cable Extension Kit www.amazon.com/dp/B079M15G7H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YF25EZ56XSMREBZ0744D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I know the Minn Kota owners manuals state to run a 6 gauge wire if extending past a certain length, but I have had zero issues, and the way I look at it, is that this product was designed for these types of trolling motors, so I’m not worried. Hope your build goes well, and thanks for checking out the channel!
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 just got home from picking it up. It was an older couple that bought it last year and used it twice. Came with the oars and oar locks. It’s in brand new condition and had all the paperwork. Got it for $300
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 yeah, everyone is trying to sell them for $800 here. I missed out on 2 of the Sportsman 10’ which is what I wanted so I didn’t have to build another deck, I could just transfer it, but I couldn’t pass up $300 and it’s literally brand new
Lol, probably so, I understand though this video was actually my very first UA-cam video, so it wasn’t my best offering especially shooting it at 6:00 in the morning before work.
It is just a standard doorway entry mar, you could essentially use and large door mat. Below is the Amazon link. Rubber matting- Guardian 14040600 Clean Step Scraper Outdoor Floor Mat, Natural Rubber, 4'x 6', Black, Ideal for any outside entryway, Scrapes Shoes Clean of Dirt and Grime www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q64DME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZP3X2HW9PE4H0FDF6MJK
I did something similar to mine about two years ago if anyone wants to see it let me know and I’ll do a walk through of mine. I might do so reiterations to mine if you want to see that too.
Thanks for the comment, please watch the video all the way through as I walk through how to make this casting deck. It is made from 1/2 in plywood and is layered with a rubber matting. Also check out my channel page as I have many different diy vids based on this boat and an updated build video that is better quality than this one. Stay blue Collar!!!
Question I want to buy this and put some float pods so it can hold more weight. Would that work fine for 2 guys and 1 female to take on a fishing trip ?
I would say it would be just fine for three adults, it comes down to how much room and comfort you are looking for. Good luck with whatever type of boat you get. Hope the video helped!
Thanks, please check out my updated version of this build it is a better quality video, as this was my first video ever for my channel lol. There is also a stability test as part of the updated video. ua-cam.com/video/eVgSWTQXKxA/v-deo.html. Thanks for checking out the channel, keep it Blue Collar!!!
That’s awesome, if you do this casting deck build you won’t be disappointed. Check out my newest video on this build and the stability test video on my channel. Let me know if you have questions.
Thanks for the reply Doug, yes you could definitely use the cleat for it’s intended use, I just personally I just like how fast the screwdriver is to position and control the anchor tension. Either way it gets the job done, no right or wrong way I guess.
Yea man with stimulus checks rolling out Jon boats are few and far between. I couldn’t find any last year either. That’s why when I saw this one at my local academy at the beginning of the year I had to pick it up, and it was the only one in stock then. The pandemic has been crazy that’s for sure.
Thanks brother yea it really makes a difference being able to fish from a deck similar to that of a bass boat. It’s not too hard, as long as you template is sized right the rest is just cutting things to size. I don’t run a trailer either so being able to remove the decks and makes it easier to load and doesn’t take much time to do. Hope your build goes well!
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 Ya exactly, I load it up in the back of my pick up. Have you used anything like it before? Just wondering what the stability would be like standing up front.
Yea it is very stable and balanced for a Jon boat I was actually surprised because I’m used to kayak fishing where there’s not much room to stand. I’ll post a video within the next two showing the stability. And it’s still easy to maneuver the trolling motor.
Please check out my updated build videos on my home page as well as check out my Sun Dolphin adventure series playlist where I only fish from this boat 🛶🎣👉ua-cam.com/play/PLPAaJVwYQ5o4HW_lGKhrpDxgQYWIAXYTF.html
I have the same boat. I made the decks out of 1/4" plywood only with 1"x4" support on the low side and a small block on the front. The center deck is only one piece of 1/4" plywood. total weight of all decks is about 5 pounds.
*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*
Sun Dolphin sold out everywhere. Just bought a Pelican Intruder and a 6.5 gas motor. Gonna use it in a small river also. Just ordered it yesterday. Looking forward to making a few upgrades myself. Not sure if I want to do a deck or just put a floor in it.
How do you like the Pelican Intruder?
Bro where can i get thoses matts i try homedepot n lowes what can i do to my floor on my american 12 jon boat need help plz
I just bought this boat and your ideas are great. Thanks!!!
Is there anyway you could mount lights on that so you could bow fish at night?
I just brought me one can't wait for to deliver it to my house
Got one of these boats today in Ireland here thanks for the tips for the casting deck as that's one I'd be doing maybe with carpet but we will see
Well done brother....your a craftsman for sure
I've got the same kayak, similar mods. Getting the F&S (Sundolphin) 12 ft next week. Cant wait
website says 52" wide which wont fit between F250 wheel wells. True? Is it tippy when you stand up in it? I saw the tri hull smaller Water Tender looks more stable
Can you drill through the bottom of both bench seats and push a small PVC pipe through each to create a drain?
I like it 👌, I'm even planning to purchase one of those myself.
Just brought this boat and I am gunna do the same as u did u did an amazing job, and ya by the way I hate that ripple floor too...
I think the ripple floor serves to keep it more stable. That being said, I would absolutely put a flat surface on top of it.
Am I able to put a seat on the deck I’m wondering because it won’t be comfortable for a passenger
Sweet guitar also subbed. Also um anything u would do different use any different materials now vs back then? And how was it on the water
Thanks you! Man I haven’t had this boat for 2 years but I miss it. This thing was great overall. I would probably try to find lighter materials if I could do it again. This thing got heavy and I didn’t have a trailer either. I may get another job boat in the near future though. Thanks for watching!!!
Do you have the measurements for the front casting deck? Bought one a month ago and have the center floor done but want the standing front deck it would be a great help!
the front casting deck measured lengthwise on centerline is 53 in long, at its widest point of width is 36in. At the point where the rod holder cut outs are its is 31 1/4 in. The other curvatures and contours will need to be trimmed to size after measuring. Also the casting deck will need to have a 3 in support that rest on the second seat, that way it is flush with the front seat. Please let me know if you have anymore questions I’ll be glad to help, the casting deck really makes the boat 10 times better. If you liked the video please subscribe!
Would I be able to bring this boat in saltwater? Thinking about getting one
How high above the water does the boat sit?
By any chance do you have the dimensions of the cuts you made?
Whats the shaft size on that front motor i have the same boat
Would 2 people be able to stand and fish on this or would that make it to unstable?
Two people can stand and fish pretty easily, just be careful with those big hook sets lol, someone might be swimming.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 Thanks for the reply buddy! and if I end up getting the Sun dolphin I’ll keep that in mind lol
Would love to build the front casting deck on mine I got today
Add a pwd to controller the amp draw of the trolling.. mine hauls now LOL minnkota c2 40 rips through the water now.
Thanks man that would help out a lot since this is the primary motor on the boat.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 Also not sure if I saw it wrong but you can actually flip the trolling motor propeller so that it will have better Propulsion just look up how to flip a minnkota trolling motor for Bow mount
@@danieljimenez728 yea I think in this video I only had it on there for showcasing the boat , but yea I did flip the motor for bow mount lol. I actually have a video for doing that conversation lol. If you haven’t please check out my other videos about this boat as this was my first video and it isn’t as good as the others.
Do u have to get a anchor on ur boat
You may not know cause it’s been a while but those scrap piece you used for the bottom, what were the measurments for those? Ex: 2x4 or 1x2? I know this is from 3 yrs ago but if you could help me out I would very much appreciate it
I used 3/4 inch laminated plywood, but 1/2 would work as well.
That’s what you used for the blocks in the front and back on the under side?
How thick plywood? 15/32"?
It looks awesome. Great job.
This is pretty sweet, nice build.
How did you secure that anchor cleat to the boat??? Did you screw all the way through the boat or only through the inside (tan part)
The cleat is screwed straight into the tan portion you were referring to. I used 3 in screws that have a very good thread pattern that will grab the plastic good. There isn’t any wood or anything else under this plastic so getting screws that will hold to the plastic is very important. I did use silicone caulk to seal the screw holes so water doesn’t get it. This is just the fast way that I did it and I haven’t had any issues with it coming loose or anything, but you could use well nuts or rivets which would probably be the recommended way if you want it super secure. But in my experience I haven’t notice much force being placed on the cleat that would make it come loose. Hope this helps.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 thanks for replying.. Appreciate the content and yes it did help me a ton. I dona ton of crappie fishing from the bank and ive had this boat for 5 years sitting in the garage 🤷 never used it so i decided this year lets try it but i want it to be comfortable and conducive to what im doing. So you said i can drill a seat down in the center of the sear area as well??? Dont want to destroy it 😂... I wouldnt want the srat standing too high either the wife would have a panic attack 😂
@@crappiesniper yea for installing seats they can be mounted straight to the pre-existing seat because there is plywood under the plastic there. If you are looking at swivel seats they make them without the post which will keep the seat low. They also make a mount that will clamp onto the seat plastic seat so you don’t have to drill, but I’m not sure how good those work.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 cool bro!!! Hopefully you get to do some fishing soon.. Im looking to do a lil later on...you can check out what i do at my channel if you like but Im subbing your channel indeed bro. Where are you located? Im in the Cincinnati area but i fish in 7 different states..
@@crappiesniper thanks man, I will definitely check out your channel and see what’s up. I’ve been fishing quite a bit, I have a bunch of vids uploaded from my adventures here in Missouri.
How on earth did you figure out the size to cut the decks?
Sympa tes commentaires et intéressantes , merci
Great video!
I just got the same boat today at Dunham’s...
Is the anchor mount screwed into plastic only... or is the something more substantial under the plastic?
I hear there is wood under the seats. I want to put folding seats on rear and middle spots.
The anchor mount is screwed only to the plastic with self taping screws that have larger threads. It is very solid and I haven’t had any issues yet. I also used silicone caulk to seal under the cleat. The force of the anchor is primarily placed on the plastic of the boat rather than the cleat. You are correct about wood being under the seats, that upgrade will be awesome.
I have really been enjoying your fishing videos on the Sun Dolphin Jon Boat. I have a spot on a small lake in MN and I think the Sun Dolphin may be a good option for me. I'd like to take a friend fishing with me. Have you ever used oars with the Sun Dolphin? Also, how did you measure up the platforms that you made for the Sun Dolphin? There are a lot of curves to get right, I only want to cut boards once 🤔. Thanks for the great videos!
Thanks Doug, I’m glad you have been enjoying the videos. I have never used oars with this boat but they should be easy to use with this boat due to the seating position. For making the platforms, I really didn’t measure anything. I took cardboard (several pieces taped together to make a huge piece. I then started trimming down the cardboard until I got all of the curvatures the way I wanted them. Then I used the cardboard as a template on the plywood. It was definitely a slow process getting all of curves cut out the way they needed to be. Good luck man!
Hey man, I love watching your videos! I am also a sun dolphin owner. I wanted to ask a HUGE favor, could you provide the dimensions to your casting deck? for the front and back or did you just use a cardboard to kinda draw or sketch out the deck size? Thanks man! God bless
What was the thing u kept all your tackle boxes in?
It is a medium small size Craftsman plastic tote box, you can buy these from lowes for like $12. I’ve also used the marine battery boxes without the lid, those are only about $5, and they still hold these types of tackle boxes.
awsome , great job.
is the bottom 32 or 36 inches wide ?
This is amazing! Great work. So would this fit in the back of a Tundra?
Thanks man! Yea this thing will definitely fit in the back of a tundra. I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with the 5.5ft box and it still fits fine, it will stick out about 4 feet or so. I hope this helps!
Does the boat handle wakes and rough water well?
I’ve never had it in waters with huge wakes but I would say it would be fairly rough. This thing is great for a small river or ponds but going out on lakes with bigger boats it could ruin your day of fishing with big wakes.
What gage battery wire is that? I built out my 8’ Sportsman, but I might be picking up a 12’ like this tomorrow. I have a Minn-Kota Edge 45lb foot control. The 8’ is nice because it’s pre-wired from the back to the front plug. If I get it, I will have to get the wood and everything because I’m not going to be able to transfer my casting deck. I was hoping to get a 10’ Sportsman so I could just transfer it, but I found one of these for 12’ for $350
Thanks for the question, the wire is an 8 gauge. Please see this link for the product- Cable extension- Newport Vessels Trolling Motor Battery Cable Extension Kit www.amazon.com/dp/B079M15G7H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YF25EZ56XSMREBZ0744D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I know the Minn Kota owners manuals state to run a 6 gauge wire if extending past a certain length, but I have had zero issues, and the way I look at it, is that this product was designed for these types of trolling motors, so I’m not worried. Hope your build goes well, and thanks for checking out the channel!
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 just got home from picking it up. It was an older couple that bought it last year and used it twice. Came with the oars and oar locks. It’s in brand new condition and had all the paperwork. Got it for $300
@@Retro-2-now that’s crazy, almost a steal at that price. I’m sure you will enjoy every minute on it.
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 yeah, everyone is trying to sell them for $800 here. I missed out on 2 of the Sportsman 10’ which is what I wanted so I didn’t have to build another deck, I could just transfer it, but I couldn’t pass up $300 and it’s literally brand new
The one down vote must me a White Collar Bassin.
Lol, probably so, I understand though this video was actually my very first UA-cam video, so it wasn’t my best offering especially shooting it at 6:00 in the morning before work.
What did you use to cover the floor with
It is just a standard doorway entry mar, you could essentially use and large door mat. Below is the Amazon link. Rubber matting- Guardian 14040600 Clean Step Scraper Outdoor Floor Mat, Natural Rubber, 4'x 6', Black, Ideal for any outside entryway, Scrapes Shoes Clean of Dirt and Grime www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q64DME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZP3X2HW9PE4H0FDF6MJK
I did something similar to mine about two years ago if anyone wants to see it let me know and I’ll do a walk through of mine. I might do so reiterations to mine if you want to see that too.
Yes, please, if you haven’t done so.
Outstanding video and great work on the boat! Keep the great videos coming! Subscribed!
What length wire extension is that?
JI thanks for the comment, it is a 10 ft extension. Please see the description box for the product link. Thanks for checking out the channel.
Where did you get the casting deck?
Thanks for the comment, please watch the video all the way through as I walk through how to make this casting deck. It is made from 1/2 in plywood and is layered with a rubber matting. Also check out my channel page as I have many different diy vids based on this boat and an updated build video that is better quality than this one. Stay blue Collar!!!
Question I want to buy this and put some float pods so it can hold more weight. Would that work fine for 2 guys and 1 female to take on a fishing trip ?
I would say it would be just fine for three adults, it comes down to how much room and comfort you are looking for. Good luck with whatever type of boat you get. Hope the video helped!
Awsome video
Thanks, please check out my updated version of this build it is a better quality video, as this was my first video ever for my channel lol. There is also a stability test as part of the updated video. ua-cam.com/video/eVgSWTQXKxA/v-deo.html.
Thanks for checking out the channel, keep it Blue Collar!!!
They are $750 total at Tractor Supply now.
Just got mine tonight 😂
That’s awesome, if you do this casting deck build you won’t be disappointed. Check out my newest video on this build and the stability test video on my channel. Let me know if you have questions.
Why not use cleat to tie off anchor instead of the screwdriver
Thanks for the reply Doug, yes you could definitely use the cleat for it’s intended use, I just personally I just like how fast the screwdriver is to position and control the anchor tension. Either way it gets the job done, no right or wrong way I guess.
I cannot find one of these anywhere.
Yea man with stimulus checks rolling out Jon boats are few and far between. I couldn’t find any last year either. That’s why when I saw this one at my local academy at the beginning of the year I had to pick it up, and it was the only one in stock then. The pandemic has been crazy that’s for sure.
Check academy. That's where I got mines a month ago. They didn't have a sun dolphin but they did have the pelican intruder
My local Wal-mart still has 5 of them marked down to $400. Indiana.
Beautiful job. Are you an engineer?
Gabe, thanks man, no I’m not an engineer it I wish I was. I just wanted to make this boat more functional and the casting deck was the answer.
This is awesome man, I have the same boat. Love it but have been looking to make a removable deck for a while. Really like your design.
Thanks brother yea it really makes a difference being able to fish from a deck similar to that of a bass boat. It’s not too hard, as long as you template is sized right the rest is just cutting things to size. I don’t run a trailer either so being able to remove the decks and makes it easier to load and doesn’t take much time to do. Hope your build goes well!
@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 Ya exactly, I load it up in the back of my pick up. Have you used anything like it before? Just wondering what the stability would be like standing up front.
Yea it is very stable and balanced for a Jon boat I was actually surprised because I’m used to kayak fishing where there’s not much room to stand. I’ll post a video within the next two showing the stability. And it’s still easy to maneuver the trolling motor.
👍
Mines cost 98 jon boat sun dolphin 12