I recently decided to sell my comfortable 2013 Apex Quest 716 fishing pontoon and pick up a project.
Goals: Most good fishing lakes in the area are electric only and I can't really get my pontoon into them. Even if I could, a pontoon isn't as much fun with an electric motor on a windy day. I also want to be able to take my 85 yr old step-father fishing more places and since he is more of a still, worm fisherman vs. a lure slinger, there are better places I can get him if I had a different type of boat. Finally, I have a big ole Newfoundland and Golden retriever and I live 10 min from a local state park lake. A different boat would make it easier to get them out for a swim more frequently.
For $1000 I picked up a 1989 Alumacraft Lunker LTD and a 1990 Highway trailer. Both have seen better days but to be honest, it came with 2 marine batteries, a Motoguide 55# bowmount trolling motor, a Minn Kota 55# transom mount trolling motor, a Hummingbird 535 fish finder and a really nice Helix 5 with GPS and SI. I felt like the accessories alone made the deal and I loved the size of the boat. The boat has a working livewell and bilge pump as well so I have some decent things to start.
The seller had used the boat for crabbing and fishing. He drilled 5/16" holes in the side and mounted wood casting decks in the front and rear and covered the bolts with a rubbery stuff to seal them. My plan is to remove the casting decks and open up the center of the boat for more room. I'll put 2 pedestal seats inside so my step father doesn't get dizzy fishing off a deck. I really don't want him falling in, especially when I get him out early for crappy. I also love the idea of more room for the pups to lay and I think it will take more effort for both dogs to jump in on their own if they have to go up and over vs a jump off the deck.
I just got started on the project. I'll add a post by day so you guys can tell me what to look out for and offer up your suggestions.
Goals: Most good fishing lakes in the area are electric only and I can't really get my pontoon into them. Even if I could, a pontoon isn't as much fun with an electric motor on a windy day. I also want to be able to take my 85 yr old step-father fishing more places and since he is more of a still, worm fisherman vs. a lure slinger, there are better places I can get him if I had a different type of boat. Finally, I have a big ole Newfoundland and Golden retriever and I live 10 min from a local state park lake. A different boat would make it easier to get them out for a swim more frequently.
For $1000 I picked up a 1989 Alumacraft Lunker LTD and a 1990 Highway trailer. Both have seen better days but to be honest, it came with 2 marine batteries, a Motoguide 55# bowmount trolling motor, a Minn Kota 55# transom mount trolling motor, a Hummingbird 535 fish finder and a really nice Helix 5 with GPS and SI. I felt like the accessories alone made the deal and I loved the size of the boat. The boat has a working livewell and bilge pump as well so I have some decent things to start.
The seller had used the boat for crabbing and fishing. He drilled 5/16" holes in the side and mounted wood casting decks in the front and rear and covered the bolts with a rubbery stuff to seal them. My plan is to remove the casting decks and open up the center of the boat for more room. I'll put 2 pedestal seats inside so my step father doesn't get dizzy fishing off a deck. I really don't want him falling in, especially when I get him out early for crappy. I also love the idea of more room for the pups to lay and I think it will take more effort for both dogs to jump in on their own if they have to go up and over vs a jump off the deck.
I just got started on the project. I'll add a post by day so you guys can tell me what to look out for and offer up your suggestions.