Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

[trekker9]

I joined this forum a year and half to 2 years ago looking to join the inflatable ranks. After originally looking into Sibs, I came across a good deal on a brand new Merc ocean Runner 430. I added a 20 HP and started rigging it to fish Lake Erie for Walleye.

I made a box 22 x 16 to mount the front seat on. I put on a Cabelas "big man" seat with swivel. Anchored to the floor with thickened fiberglass resin and six screws.


I then added Rod holders running up and out to the front along with a strategically placed beer holder.


On the sides I made removable bases for two more rod holders. Set up I can troll four lines, and with planer boards, cover a pretty good swath of the water column.


I put hinges on the top to allow for easy access to the inside of the box. I made a shelf to hold lure boxes...etc. Looking into the box with the shelf in place.


Under the boxes, sit the fuel cans.

 

[trekker9]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

This is the hole I drilled to run the fuel line out.


This is my "cockpit". I anchored the battery box to the box with screws, and mounted the GPS/Chartplotter above it with a RAM mount. I also added an upright rod holder to store hold the rods while We are underway.


For the rear seat base, I cut two pieces of plywood, "glued" them together with thickened resin, and gave them two coats of fiberglass plus paint(same as front box), and anchored it to the floor with thickened resin and 4 screws.


To that base, I screwed down my VHF radio holder, and a second strategically placed beer holder.


The T 20

 

[trekker9]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

And finally, for boat numbers, I cut boards, put the stickers on, and then put 2 coats of fiberglass over that, and hung them off the side with some flexi ropes.


So far, She has made 3 trips on lake Erie for Walleye. We got a little wet the first day out as We were hitting 5 footers. The second day, they were about 3, and not bad with spray. The 3rd trip, I went myself. It was dead calm out there, and She was running at 23 MPH.

Overall, I am very happy with it. Looks crowded, but it is actually very comfortable to fish from.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Damn dude! SWEET! One day I hope to join the big boy club!!! I love my Mariner 4 but THIS is awesome!

 

[trekker9]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Thanks 99. Took a while, but I am happy with it. Fishes well.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Hey treckker, do you happen to have a pic of the whole thing? That would be sweet.

 

[trekker9]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Getting ready to add some new mods in prep for the upcoming Walleye season on Lake Erie.

 

[Guest]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

very nice, I just ordered new plugs oil and filter for my ob. plan on working on it late feb and beginning of march. I am upgrading my anchor system with a patch and a pully attached so the rope doesn't rub against my tube. I am still debating on the type of bow bag I want to use. oh by the way be careful with the box with gas in it. you need to make sure its properly ventilated or something bad might happen.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Getting ready to add some new mods in prep for the upcoming Walleye season on Lake Erie.

Nice job so far.
can you take a picture that shows the boat with all your current mods and then a picture with all your new mods?

 

[zodiac_mat]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Love the mods. When you glassed the boxes, did you just use resin or did you also use fabric? I am getting ready to make some boxes for Mr 14' zodiac.

 

[ReelSlow72]

Re: Mercury RIB Mods.....With Pics

Wow... looks really good. How far in are you $$ wise if I may ask?

 

[trekker9]

Please read the rules. trekker.