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Well, we bought a boat!

Fawnbuster

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No it's not a cabin cruiser or the SS Minnow from Gilligan's Island.

We wanted a boat that was stable (no kayak!) That the 2 of us or me and a Lab can use and stumbled upon a great deal this afternoon. Had been considering driving to a Bass Pro shop and see if a Pelican bass boat would fit in my truck bed using my lumber rack I made. The seller bought this Pelican Bass Raider 10E NXT new 18 months ago along with a new Minn Kota trolling motor with 55lbs of thrust, a new Weize 75 Amp deep cycle battery , 2 life jackets, a kayak oar, a small anchor, 2 PFD's, 2 comfy folding seats, they where asking $1000, offered them $800 and they took it! Boat was only used 2 or 3 times, very little wear. Before I offered any cash I said I have to be sure it will fit in my truck, I had installed my lumber rack that allows items wider than 48" above the wheels ans it slid right on, plus I could see that I had room between the wheel wells! I stopped on the way and bought a bed extender at Harbor Freight for $60 plus an unadvertised special for the "club membership" a free gift for any purchase over $40, I thought okay some more drill bits or towels etc and he said no anything in this cart. Well there was a bunch of cheqp stuff on top but below that had several 4" angle grinders so I snagged one! Now I have 4 but this one will be my use it and abuse it grinder and the the other 2 will stay with my power carving stuff, the other is a monster 6 or 7" Dewalt for heavy work.

After we got home and took the boat out, I removed my lumber rack and slid the boat in between the wheel wells! 1st time for everything! I have 2.5" of clearance overall, I slid a 2x4 in beside one wheel well and a piece of 5/4 board on the other side and took pics to verify. With the lumber rack the bed extender extends with 1 inch to spare, with the boat on the bed I can set the extender all the way down and it's level so I just need to drill one extra hole for stability.

Now I just buy or make a wheeled dolly setup for one end, a cover , 2 bigger anchors, 2 jacket style pfd's and a set of navigation lights.

I put the back end of the boat on a short 4 wheel dolly so it wouldn't drag and loaded it in the truck by myself. Once I get bigger wheels I can strap onto it I will be able to unload and launch alone. I also bought a portable depth finder that uses my cell phone, you cast it out and reel it in, works from a bridge, shore or with the bracket from a boat. Boughtit on a father's day sale for $60 off and free shipping. Haven't used it yet but they mark the bottom from 2 different frequencies based off speed and conditions and shows the bottom, weeds and timber and fish, and this one has built in GPS to make your own lake maps.

Also need some suggestions for a trickle charger for a deep cycle battery. I have a jump box but no charger, old neighbor fried mine trying jump start his car.

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BS67

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Thanks Brian, will be fun, no trailer, I can set it on saw horses for now, but build an outdoor rack that will set the boat level with the tailgate.
Look forward to the build! Definite fun times ahead!
Oh and they already paid for the IN boat launch permit for a year
Nice!
 


AzScorpion

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I bought a boat once. But it didn't turn out like I'd hoped it would. :confused:


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AzScorpion

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Fawnbuster

Fawnbuster

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Well I finished up the bottom protection tonight.

Yesterday I cleaned and sanded the bottom and all the small scratches with 180 and red scotch brite in the tough to reach spots. Blew off the dust, wiped it down with window cleaner and then acetone.
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Ordered the adhesion promoter and bedliner off Amazon then I started taping it off around al the spots it's prone to scrape and rub.

Finished masking off the rest of the boat today, bedliner arrived, I went with UPOL Raptor 2K UP 4884 Basalt Grey (This stuff is pretty close in color to our Magnetic Grey if someone wanted to spray it on parts) , it's advertised as 10x tougher than regular bedliner and had good reviews for a rattle can.

Tonight I sprayed 1.5 cans in 2 coats of there UPOL GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, let that sit for 15 minutes while I shook up the 2 part liner. Shake it for 2 min, push in the bottom button and shake it for another 2 minutes.

I was lucky and didn't have a mess when I was finished. Used 3 cans on the bottom and the front and rear lips where you lift it to carry. Glad I watched a video, they say to spray it 2-3 feet aways to prevent runs.

Let that sit for 20 minutes and then started peeling all the tape and masking material off so I would get a good clean line. For my 1st time spraying anything of importance it turned out good, only one area with a small run on the bottom inner pontoon and a bit of spatter as the last can was emptying. Has to cure for 6 hours so overnight will work out perfectly.

I also bought a through hull drain I will install this week plus 2 additional drains for the bottom back of the pontoons. Oem has 2 similar drains in the front and above the water line which seems odd but at least I can drain it as needed pretty easily.
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Synfulz

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Well I finished up the bottom protection tonight.

Yesterday I cleaned and sanded the bottom and all the small scratches with 180 and red scotch brite in the tough to reach spots. Blew off the dust, wiped it down with window cleaner and then acetone.
20230627_225302.jpg
20230627_225253.jpg
Ordered the adhesion promoter and bedliner off Amazon then I started taping it off around al the spots it's prone to scrape and rub.

Finished masking off the rest of the boat today, bedliner arrived, I went with UPOL Raptor 2K UP 4884 Basalt Grey (This stuff is pretty close in color to our Magnetic Grey if someone wanted to spray it on parts) , it's advertised as 10x tougher than regular bedliner and had good reviews for a rattle can.

Tonight I sprayed 1.5 cans in 2 coats of there UPOL GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, let that sit for 15 minutes while I shook up the 2 part liner. Shake it for 2 min, push in the bottom button and shake it for another 2 minutes.

I was lucky and didn't have a mess when I was finished. Used 3 cans on the bottom and the front and rear lips where you lift it to carry. Glad I watched a video, they say to spray it 2-3 feet aways to prevent runs.

Let that sit for 20 minutes and then started peeling all the tape and masking material off so I would get a good clean line. For my 1st time spraying anything of importance it turned out good, only one area with a small run on the bottom inner pontoon and a bit of spatter as the last can was emptying. Has to cure for 6 hours so overnight will work out perfectly.

I also bought a through hull drain I will install this week plus 2 additional drains for the bottom back of the pontoons. Oem has 2 similar drains in the front and above the water line which seems odd but at least I can drain it as needed pretty easily.
20230627_225321.webp
20230626_135817.jpg
20230627_120648.jpg
20230627_120629.jpg
Screenshot_20230627_233922_Google.jpg
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20230627_225153.jpg
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Normally I'd say a hole in the water where you throw your money. But that looks rather mild. ? Is there a place for a damper, at a minimum it needs that and a 5G sticker. ??
 
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Fawnbuster

Fawnbuster

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Normally I'd say a hole in the water where you throw your money. But that looks rather mild. ? Is there a place for a damper, at a minimum it needs that and a 5G sticker. ??
I may have to have my wife make 5g stickers. If I buy an outboard motor I might try to configure a damper.
 
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Fawnbuster

Fawnbuster

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Nice! I wonder how well it stands up to the flex of the boat... my canoe is so beat up from going over beaver dams and logs, I might have to try this
Saw several videos of guys applied to aluminum John boats that get beat up in the terrain they frequent often.
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