Bowfishing boat set up
Contributors to this thread:Bowfishing
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Have some time to kill, so here is the evolution of out 14 x 40 jon boat up to this point. This doesn't involve politics or covid, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway....it does involve bow stuff
Happened across this boat and trailer for a steal close to home. It's something we have talked about for a few years, figured this would be a good start. After the boat sat in the yard for a year and half I finally made enough time to get it ready to start hunting fish.
There is a lot of information on jon boat modifications on utube, some of what I have done are variations of other people's ideas.
I started with building a deck on the front to shoot from, nothing too elaborate but functional....didn't watch enough videos to know that you aren't supposed to use pressure treated wood against aluminum....until I had it done.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
I ordered a Swamp Runner long tail mud motor kit and put a 23hp Briggs on it. With the long tail you give up reverse, but we haven't had many issues without having reverse yet. If the boat will float there the long tail will push it.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Maiden voyage making sure it was going to float, quick spin to figure out how bugs needed working out.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
How it looked when we were ready to start shooting from it.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Flopper stopper....
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
The boat worked pretty well and we had some good success last summer
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
On to winter time, with a little free time to make some changes to the boat getting ready for the spring.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
The transom board was pretty soft and needed to be changed, added a couple extra strengthening pieces.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Added some float pods
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Added some bracing for the pods
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Gas tank holder
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Framing up some side benches and converting rear bench into small shooting platform.
From: huntinelk
03-Mar-22
Current condition, more pieces ordered to finish up these projects and be ready for the ice to melt.
From: t-roy
03-Mar-22
Looks great, Gene! Any plans on putting any type of railing around the platform?
Also, thanks for the heads up about the pt lumber and aluminum. I was unaware of that potential issue.
From: Hancock West
03-Mar-22
Sweet rig!
From: huntinelk
04-Mar-22
Yes, a rail and some shooting lights are in the plans. I have a small light bar and a couple "driving" lights ready to go on the front now.
From: Casekiska
04-Mar-22
What a set-up!!! Great job. Hope ya'all have a ball. Mostly, be safe.
From: Shug
04-Mar-22
Very cool
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
After a little break for hunting, got back to finishing up the list of stuff on the boat. A little clean up left and will be ready start the season.
Figured if 1 bildge pump was good, 2 would be better.
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Finished up the benches,added a little storage and did an aerosol make over on the inside. The benches are covered with rattle can bed liner for now. Planning on covering them and the deck with Hydro Turf when time allows.
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Relocated the flopper stopper and push pole to new locations under the benches.
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Condition of the old transom board that was replaced.
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Couple pictures of the mud motor and mount.
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Hopefully the weather cooperates and soon there will be fish pictures added.
From: JohnMC
05-Apr-22
How fast will that motor push that boat?
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Depending on the load, can get mid to upper 20's with it. Still experimenting to find the best prop size. The motor is still stock, there are some aftermarket hop up parts available for them.
From: Matt
05-Apr-22
Looking good, go slay them.
From: hdaman
05-Apr-22
Cool project! You've done a very nice job with it. Good luck!
From: Beendare
05-Apr-22
Looks good but be careful loading it up.
I’ve setup a couple different bowfishing boats and The one common factor is these small boats are extremely sensitive to weight
From: Pat Lefemine
05-Apr-22
Looks like a nice rig. No lights? It's not complete until you have it rigged up for night bowfishing!! Then your kills will be 10x what your day kills are.
Good job fabricating!
From: huntinelk
05-Apr-22
Lights and a front rail are definitely in the plans. Going to build a mount over top of the bildge pumps to mount a small "suitcase" generator.
From: BULELK1
06-Apr-22
What a kool project
Looks great,
Robb
From: KHNC
07-Apr-22
Nice! Spent a LOT of years sticking fish in NC , SC , GA, FL, TN, IL, OH, KY. Its addictive! If you ever hit the ohio river for bigheads and silvers, you will be ruined. LOL. I havent bowfished since i killed my gator at Seminole in 2015. But im probably going to draw a gator tag this summer again finally. Ill be getting my gear rigged out again. sold my bowfishing boat last year and bought a tractor. So ill have to hire a guide this time for gators. I had a Lowe 1862 Tunnel Jet with pods. LED lights and light bars. Worked great. went thru 3 different boats in the process. lol
From: Shug
07-Apr-22
I like the double pump set up… I think I’ll do the same. Mine has a tunnel hull and I never thought of it till just now…
From: huntinelk
07-Apr-22
I upgraded the piece of nylon rope tied around the rib for hanging the motor when not in motion. Thinking this has the possibility to work as a low speed cruise control too.
From: huntinelk
07-Apr-22
New body containment system.
From: huntinelk
09-Apr-22
From: huntinelk
01-May-22
We were able to get out for a quick scouting trip between the rain showers today.
From: t-roy
01-May-22
A polar bear hunt probably pales in comparison to foul weather free range carp hunting. Is that new body containment system box, a visual reminder for guys to wipe their feet before getting onboard?? Your rig turned out great, Gene!
From: Rut Nut
01-May-22
You did a great job customizing that Jonboat, Gene! Nice job!
From: huntinelk
02-May-22
Troy...the adventure level is pretty high in the wilds of Northern PA, notice we were almost attacked by a rouge free range chicken lurking under the trailer. Free range carp in a man made lake,not sure if they will be eligible for "book" entry?? Yep, don't be mucking up the custom Krylon over dirty aluminum interior....
From: speedgoat
02-May-22
Made that old boat look pretty sharp!
From: huntinelk
30-May-22
Took one of my sons friends out today, it was his first time bowfishing, pretty sure he is hooked now.
