Rigging a bowrider to fish

[jbeauford]

Just bought a 1998 18' Bayliner Capri 3.0L with a walk through bow as a family boat. My real intent is to fish. I would like to rig the bow with a platform for a chair and trolling motor. An assembly that I can easily remove when the wife and kids want to go boating then re-install when me and the boys get serious. Any experience, suggestions, pit falls to avoid would be most appreciated. I already know the obvious...buy a bass boat, that's next...thanks.

 

[DJ]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Chaser,<br /><br />Take a look at: www.cabelas.com<br /><br />They offer pedestals, bases and seats.<br /><br />You will probably want the type of pedestal base (domed) that does not require underfloor clearance. If you have the under floor clearance, go with the flush mount.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

I've been toying with ideas for this also. When we bought our new bowrider, I was going to keep a little 14' fishing boat but now I would like to do some fishing with the bowrider too. Couple of thoughts I've had:<br />- cover both sides of a plywood insert that would sit on bow seats. A flush mount pedestal base in center would have needed clearance since it would be over the floor portion of bow. Carpet on underside would help protect the seat upolstry.<br />- Would like a similar platform on rear sunpad to keep from standing on cushioned sunpad. Not sure if a seat could be worked into it.<br />- Trolling motor is big problem...The bow of our boat rolls over instead of being flat so mounting is a problem. I could rig power without a problem.<br />- Whatever I do, it must be removable and leave minimum "evidence" that it has ever been there.<br />- Would use a mounting board for transducer so no below water screw holes on transom.<br /><br />Keep us updated here on what you do and I'll do similar. Good luck with it!

 

[mbhenry]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

I have a 1999 Bayliner 2050 bowrider. What I did was, <br />1st. Remove the bow cushins.<br />2nd. take several pieces of poster board, you can get a wallmart etc... and tape them together. Enough to fill the seat cushin area of the bow. Cut the poster board paper to fit the area. <br />3. transfer to 1/2" plywood. <br />4. cut the plywood and dry fit to area. Measure back from the bow point, where the front cushin fits, to the area where people put their feet when riding in the bow area. Give yourself enough room and cut a slot big enough for your fingers. You will need this when installing and removing the platform. Your wires will also fit through this opening. <br />5. With the platform installed. Make a box from plywood that is big enough to mount you trolling motor and depth finder and mount it to the platform in the front corner. (I angled mine to the starboard side of the running lights). When you make the box, make sure that you angle it, so the motor sits straight and level to the water. I had to extend a board over to the edge of the hull for my motor to clear the rub strip. (This depends on what kind of motor you install). <br />5. Buy outdoor carpet from home depot that is close to you current carpet.<br />6. Carpet the platform, top and bottom so it won't scratch the boat. <br />7. I like a seat on a tall post with a bike style seat, you install what you like best. Mount the seat near the rear center of the platform. <br />8. Mount you trolling motor and depth finder.<br />9. Put the battery under the platform.<br />10. Go fish.<br />11. When fishing is done, remove seat and pole, depthfinder, and trolling motor. Remove platform, and battery. Install bow cushins and go sking.<br /><br />I have no pictures, but will try to get some next week and post them. Email me mbhenry@fuse.net<br />for any questions.<br />Whole thing took about 4 hours. <br />Mike

 

[jbeauford]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Thanks guys, good stuff to consider. Cabela's was a great place for additional ideas once I saw what they had. HotByte, I'm thinking about an assembly for the bow that would require removing the bow seat cushions and using the sides of the under seat storage as some sort of anchor base for the assembly to mount a platform on. Do you guys think that would give me the clearence to mount whatever type pedestal base I choose? I think I'll be able to build a small step up flush with the bow allowing me to mount a removable trolling motor mounting plate. Will stability become an issue? Just some thoughts, I haven't even taken measurements yet but this is great brainstorming...thanks for helping out. <br />Just read mbhenry's suggestions (posted as I was responding) looks like we got a blue print to start with. Mike, how's the stability?

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Great post mdhenry. Would love to see pics if you could get some. If you can't do digital or don't have a scanner, let me know and I can scan pics for you if you mail them to me.<br /><br />Chaser, clearance for pedestal should be minimum under the floor. The need about a 2-1/2 or 3 inch hole and maybe 4 to 6 inch depth (at least the ones I've dealt with).<br /><br />I like idea of a "box" on platform to attach TM and fish finder...Gives a nice flat area. My problem is bow seats don't come out on my Glastron. Under the seats is open with a bungie net to hold stuff in. I can remove the forward portion which covers anchor locker type area. I've thought about some "legs" that would come down to bow floor to keep pressure of the seat cushions.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

mbhenry, another question for ya...Do you have an easy way to store/transport your platform or do you just throw it in back of truck or something?

 

[mbhenry]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Hotbyte,<br />Since we have a place within 1/2 mile of the lake, transporting it is not a problem. It will fit in my p/u truck bed. When we go to other lakes for fishing and sking, I just put in the platform and leave it there, it trailers great. It is not in the way for sking, you just loose some seating. Takes about 10 minutes max to swap out. When the skipper and I are staying at the lake, I just leave the platform in as she love to fish also. When I do take it out, it hangs in the rafters of my shed, up and out of the way. <br />The only downfall is that my old cover would also cover the platform, so that I could leave it on at all times. I just purchased a custom cover and the platform just won't fit under it. No give in the material.<br /><br />Hotbyte, are your cushins tight together? Or is there a slight amount of room between the cushins?<br />If there is any room between the cushins, you might be able to make supports for the platform that will sit between them. <br />Mike

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Thanks for reply Mike...Maybe we can get something going for Chaser and me. There is possibility of space between seats.

 

[jbeauford]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Arrrrgah...believe it or not, storage and transportation haven't even been a consideration of mine. I've been so wrapped up in the assembly design and concept that I totally overlooked this issue. Currently I'm in dry storage because I'm lacking a decent tow vehicle. Soon to be remedied so perhaps the storage and transportation won't be an issue. Like Mike I'm actually just a couple of miles from the landing. It's killing me that I won't be getting back to the boat for a few days but I'll keep you updated on my progress. My first time at this so don't be surprised if I'm back looking for advice. <br /><br />Jack jack.beauford@atk.com

 

[Big-HE]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

I'm trying to do the samething with an 18 1/2' bowrider. I like those ideas. I also have an 85HPjohnson (1973-HEAVY!!!) What type of thrust do think would do on the trolling motor???

 

[jbeauford]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Big-HE, the Cabela's web site that djohns19 sent me to and the Minn Cota web site have thrust requirement tables for trolling motors.<br />Jack

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Chaser, my concern with transporting is when we go for a weekend camping. If me and a buddy are going fishing, I figure I would just attach the deck and go. On weekend camping trips, I might go out fishing in a.m. and take family tubing/etc. late morning or after lunch. Just one more challenge to the situation.<br /><br />Big-HE, previous boat was a 1984 Procraft 17-1/2 ft bass boat fish & ski style. It had a 150HP Merc on it. It had a 54lb 24V bow mount that did pretty good. Not sure if that helps you or not. Another thing to keep in mind is a bowrider type hull will need a longer shaft (60" I'm guessing).

 

[ajp]

Re: Rigging a bowrider to fish

Some fish and ski boats have a complete carbeted deck up front with the center(where your would feet go) a removable section. Then the have the side compartments with push in fit, removable hatch lids that are carpeted on the one side and have a seat cushion on the other. You just flip over the lids to go from a carpeted deck to a cushioned seat. From the factory they are shaped so they change sides to flip them over. If you are building your own just make them rectangular.<br /><br />Of course you leave on the side panels.