Custom Aluminum Boat Walk Through - AND SALMON FISHING!
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2024
- We've shared our three part series of building this boat from scratch, and in this fourth part we're walking through the finished project, showing the details of it, talking about my welding setup, and talking about what we like and what we'd change....THEN WE'RE TAKING IT FISHING! Thanks for watching this series. If you like these boat builds then subscribe, like, and comment. It helps our channel to grow and get in front of more viewers who might find what we do educational and entertaining. And we plan to build more boats and share the processes in the future!
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Nicely done, Tom. Glad you added the final episode - tied a lot together and we got to see it in use. You and your wife do nice work. Looking forward to the center console you mentioned! By the way (yeah, I know, BTW!), would like to see you address maintenance and repair of the motor hydraulic (raise and lower, trim) unit unit. Seals and leaks, won't hold trim levels, etc., and how to rebuild/repair them.
Thank you, and thanks for watching. I'll get going on the next build as soon as I get a slow month or two again...which doesn't usually happen until summertime unfortunately. I'm not sure that I'll tackle that project any time soon. I'd love to eventually cover some of that type of work filming my buddy who's an outboard mechanic while he's working on outboard repairs that are over my head. Hopefully our channel can grow into that sort of offering over time!
The gas tank fill is a fantastic idea. I like the flush bow hatch for life jackets, emergency gear, etc. I love the big tiller jet, I only wish Suzuki made a 200 jet tiller. If you had to build a big boat again do you think you would narrow the flat part of the hull to maybe 70", with a slightly narrower beam, but adding 3-4 ft to the length. The added length would really help with choppy water conditions and to spread out people fishing a bit, nobody wants to lure to the face that another person was trying to cast. The dog sleeping at your feet in the sunshine just living his best life, beautiful.
That tank fill style is pretty popular on custom river boats around here. To be USCG approved it has to spill over outside of the boat on a permanent mount tank, so it's a great way to do it, and easy to fill at the gas station and with smaller fill tanks. We've talked about possibly selling this one and building another in the next few years. I would build a 20' with a 140 jet still, but I would make it a forward console with a full windshield, much like a North River, Wooldridge, or Hewescraft design. I'd keep it a shallow V though. I really only fish the rivers which is why the dimensions are so wide without being as long, just easier to maneuver in tight spots, and we're usually only fishing 2-3 people. That pup is River, he's my fishing dog....bout as loyal of a fishing buddy as they come!
Of course the boat is great but the fishing trip made all that work in the hot weather worth it and the best part that boat will give you many more fishing trips in the future
Exactly! This boat will have more river time than most boats built 20 years ago. Can’t wait to have it out all fall and winter for our steelhead too!
Fantastic build, Kudos
Thanks so much for watching!
That is an awesome boat and glad you had a good time fishing.
Thank you! Salmon camp is why I built this boat in the first place (and sold our smaller fishing pontoon)...so it was really cool to see it do what it was built to do moving a big load of people and gear through the shallow river.
Looks like You & Cori work hard… but also get to enjoy the fruits🎣of your labor. Thank you for sharing.
I think that sums up our lives perfectly. We’re not afraid to work hard knowing that we get to have fun!
Love the boat. Looks like we fish the same river. I can’t wait to see it on the water.
I’m usually on the Manistee River a few times each fall, then it’s mostly downstate rivers after that. Be sure to say hello!!
Good job buddy it’s nice to see people that handy it turns out really nice
Thank you!!
Awesome boat!!!! Great job!!!. awesome boat build! Your fishing trip looks like a blast..
Thank you, it was awesome to get to fish out of it after all the work that went into building it!
Nice Fish!! Huge!!
Can't beat some fresh King Salmon!
I have those exact same seats in my 1648 and love them. Just recently bought them and only have one trip on them, but they were very comfortable
Yes! These were picked by my wife after we installed them on a customers pontoon boat. A little bummed tho as one of these already has a rip in the netting of the seat. Hoping they stand behind their products!!
You did a hell of a job on that boat. Love seeing other people make stuff from scratch.
My bilge on my river boat also stayed dry for the longest time but a few rocks and 2 stumps later i have a tiny leak that will need to be fixed this winter 😂 shit happens
Thank you! It was super fulfilling to start with sheet metal and see this boat come to life. Dings and dents are bound to happen. Hopefully I chose the right materials and did a good enough job welding that it'll withstand lots more abuse before it impacts anything more negatively than cosmetics!
awesome boat build! Your fishing trip looks like a blast.
Thank you! Yes, we had a great time and the fish cooperated pretty well.
Awesome boat!!!! Great job!!!
Thanks!!!
You should make yourself a four ft by one foot butcher slash everything tray that holds on by sliding over your rail , and to store it you pull it back and then hang it on the rail. That would give you a nice place to permanently place a ruler for measuring, as well as a heavy clamp so if yo choose to cut down and gut and fillet you can. And if you want to work on tackle you can, and if you bring a small camp stove you can make a hot meal up out on the water.
I've seen trays exactly like what you're talking about. We're not allowed to fillet and discard carcasses into the water here in Michigan, so I wouldn't necessarily need it for that. However, there are times I've thought about making one just for my bait. Luckily this boat is big enough that there's tons of space down in the hull for a bait tray that I can keep out of the sun. I like where your head is at though!
Sucks about the dent, what gauge was the bottom again?
Ever think about builing a jet tunnel or prop tunnel before you started?
It’s bound to happen in the river, just sucks when the boat is only 5 hours old! It’s 1/8 inch bottom. I was told that it 3/16” dents just as easy…but it’s much harder to fix when it does! I’ve run tunnels, but love the nice clean flow of a flat bottom or mod v
I’m sure you overbuilt the transom . How big of a motor could you put on this baby ?
I see a console with a wheel in the future . Lol
That’s the most nerve wracking part of the whole build…hanging 500# and then some from the back. I see how some big name brands build their transoms though without knee braces and without corner gussets…I think I added plenty of support!
If it’s for me it’s going to always be tiller, unless I go full windshield to stay warm! The next build will likely be a center console 1660…so stay tuned!
Next up 35 foot offshore fishing boat. Lmao
Haha! Not a chance. I like the 20’ size range and shallower V hull
I really like your finished product. How big is it? Length and width.
Coming from Southern Oregon, I have owned two aluminum boats. A Willie Preditor (21' x 8.5') with an Evinrude inboard sport jet and an Alumaweld inboad. Both had Yamaha 9.9 kickers. Your boat would operate and fish as well or better than either. I really like your anchor windless.
An aluminum river boat without a dent has never been fished.
Thank you! That's a huge compliment coming from someone who has run those well known West Coast aluminum boats. Our rivers are pretty shallow so outboard jets with lighter hulls are the preferred way to go over inboards here in Michigan.
The boat ended up right at 17.5' long (not counting the swim step) with a 78.5" bottom width and 100" beam across the top. 30" tall side walls. 80" wide floor inside. It's just a great big comfy boat...exactly what I hoped to build!
What an awesome boat! I just found your channel because I was thinking about building a big lakes boat. We have a place up on Lake Superior and would like to get into fishing on the big water. Right now I just have a 17ft fish ski and it gets dicey if the waves are much more than 2ft. I was quite surprised to find out your in GR, I’m just south in Yankee Springs area, small world. I’m curious how much do you have into just the aluminum?
Thanks so much! It’s definitely a small world. I’ve had a few people in Michigan reach out about this build after watching it. I’m so glad I built this boat and I can’t wait to finish the 16’ I have started. It’ll be a bit til I get to finish it, but I’ll share the video as soon as it’s done. Lots of pontoon boats to work through currently. For a V hull check out the Timmy Turtle (Australian fellow) boat build series. I learned a lot from that and the guy who built his boat about steps, processes, etc.
Overall, very nice build. I'm surprised you were able to get a trailer that the boat would fit between the wheel covers without having to go OVER the wheels. You got a few little 'niggles' and upgrades to do to get it 'just right', but when is it ever 'just right'! LoL There's always something.... Cheers
The trailer was advertised as 79” between the fenders…which must have been at the widest point at the top of them because it wasn’t even close where the original bunks lined up.
The only way to make it “just right” would have been to build a custom trailer…maybe someday!
Aaaaaa Firrrrrst Liiiiiiight, I understand now 👍🏿
Wood floor opposed to ? Though one may never need to go back and address below deck plumbing, wiring, or whatever, it seems sensible on a project build to be mindful of permanent anything. Plus, as you stated, the wood floor will last years with a days work to redo. I previously questioned why no livewell and I now see the usable space without. Besides, a cooler is fishing efficient. Very nice touches, First Light turned out to be one comfortable rig for a day on the water.
Yes, I don’t mind a day to replace the wood floors. Plus I’m pretty sure the wood will outlast the west and tear on the vinyl seeing as how it’s a thinner fishing style vinyl. So it’ll all get freshened up years down the road. So far it’s doing everything I hoped for and then some I’m terms of ride and comfort…and of course fishy-ness!
@@tomspontoonshave you considered 3/4” Sintra instead of marine plywood?
@@fishinguns4975I’ve never heard of that before, but I’ll check it out.
@@tomspontoons also known as expanded PVC board. Lighter than wood, will never rot, I think 3/4” is as stiff as plywood. It is more expensive, but you’ll never need to replace it, only the vinyl covering as needed.
@@fishinguns4975 That's definitely a big plus. I just sort of figure that the plywood should last 10+ years, and by that time the vinyl will need to be replaced too. Maybe at that time I'll look at another option....hopefully it all lasts even longer tho!
Great Looking boat- you did an awesome job. How hard was it to get the pump for the Zuki? Which Marina did you go through?
Thank you! I ordered the motor and pump about 6 months before starting the build. I use Van's Sport Center for all of that stuff. They had a few on order already back when I was ready to order so I got my name on one which sped up the process. It's normally about a year these days to get a pump, but they seem to keep them pretty steadily on order as the demand is there constantly for them.
Was that Brady and Blue?
Big dent like that would make me sick. If you had to, how would you repair something like that. It would make a good episode. 🤝🤝👍🇺🇸
Brady and Blue?? I could go in from the inside and knock most of it back out. Trust me. I was sick to my stomach knowing it had to have dinged it bad!! It’s all good. Built to take a beating and use it in the river where it’s impossible not to hit stuff.
@@tomspontoons Brady Troutman and his girlfriend Blue are sailors and have their own channel. One of your photos had a couple that looked just like them.
@@tomwilliams8675 oooh!! Nope, just some of our good friends!
How did the Titanium 170 do on welding aluminum? What is your opinion on these machines the Titanium Unlimited 200 or the Vulcan Omnipro 220? I would rather buy one machine then have to buy two for Tig welding. Awesome boat by the way and the fishing location looks beautiful!
Great questions! I’m pretty happy with the 170, mainly since running it on 220 versus 110. It has held up to some long days of steady welding. I’ve replaced the spool gun once after it started having some inconsistencies…likely from me pushing it hard on 1/4” materials. I need the two machines so that I’m not switching back and forth all the time.
My next welder will be the Yes Welder with dual Pulse. It’s around $1,000 WITH the spool gun (still runs pulse, and appears to be better on thinner material). I’ll probably pick one up for the next big build.
I just read up what a pause machine can do and I see why you would want to get one. I am looking for a machine that can weld mild steel too not just aluminum. Is there a machine with pause that can do both efficiently?@@tomspontoons
That Yes welder machine also welds steel. It does everything but AC TIG for aluminum. So it’ll standard MIG, stick, and DC TIG. Just can’t TIG Aluminum with it.
I love the way this turned out! Looks great and I’m sure it fishes just as well!
Just out of curiosity for a paying customer to have something like this made, just the bare boat what would be an estimated cost?
Thank you! I look forward to fishing out of it every chance I can get. That's a really good question. I'm pretty sure there's around $10K into aluminum. So it would have to sell for $20K - $25K to be worth all of the hours that went into it (approximately 180 to 200 hours). We estimated the total package at around $50K retail...although I never want to sell this boat!
I honestly don't want to build another one this big though. I would love to stick to 60" to 72" bottoms in the future to go one piece and not have that center seam. Every long seam like that increases the chance of heat distortion from welding.
@@tomspontoons that’s definitely a lot of time and energy that goes into building something of that magnitude. It turned out great man very much enjoyed watching the 4 part series. Kudos to you, the lady and the 4 legged boss 👍🏼 you’ve got a piece of true craftsmanship to enjoy for a lifetime.
@@killdro1 Thank you so much for the kind words. River says he's going to enjoy it more than anybody else!
@tomspontoons did you end up logging your hours on this build? I'm curious how many hours of welding are involved. Really nice build!
I didn’t log them like I wanted to, but I estimated somewhere around 180 hours all in. Probably 150 of welding and fabricating.
I’m working on a 16x60 right now and have kept track better. Hope to get that video together one of these days when I get time to finish the build!!
@@tomspontoons excited for it! Would really love to know how many hours of welding go into a 16" x 60 😳
I’m about 40 hours into it and it’s a boat, but just a shell. Still need another 30-40 of welding and then another 10-20 of finishing I think.
@@tomspontoons 100ish hours to build a boat is no small feat. Especially one that size
Cori….like your personal touch…..Go Vols…….Fred…Class of ‘72…BS Forestry
GO VOLS! Thanks for watching!
How long did it take you to build the boat.
I estimated somewhere around 180-200 hours. Hard to track because it wasn’t a regular work week type of project. Just cranked on it when I had the time between work projects.
I checked the Suzuki Marine website and they do not offer the big tiller on the 140, did you have to jerry rig the tiller for that engine?
I believe it’s just their standard tiller handle that the 115 hp would take. It’s not cheap…bout $2500 +/- retail
@@tomspontoons Thank you
The reason your dog is skittish maybe they can see through the steps, kind of like a cattleguard on a ranch.
He’s a weirdo!! He will run up any weird step, even just about climb a pontoon ladder, but something goofy like that and he’s out. He’s probably just being dramatic for the camera!
@@tomspontoons great boat btw. Lookup stabicraft. But your design and execution is spot on.
@@tjmiller8086 Those look awesome! Thanks for sharing that company. I hadn't seen those before.
Let’s be honest, $1,000 you won’t have that boat in 10
Years.
I'm saving this comment for future reference!!!