step by step pod build

TinBoats.net

Help Support TinBoats.net:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Poormans Boatright

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
270
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas City, Texas
I know there have been countless posts regarding float pods, I don't know if anyone has done a complete step by step post on building and installing a set, so I thought I would. Before I begin though let me say that this is the way I do it, I'm not saying that my way is the only way or the best way, its just my way, ok? Not every fabricator works the same. I'd like to thank fellow Tin Boater frydaddy for allowing me to use pics of his boat and the pods I installed on it. Also, I won't be able to get all this posted in one sitting, so be patient I'll get back as soon as I can.-Rod

O.K., lets see if we can get some pods built......
 

Attachments

  • 20150913_103312.jpg
    20150913_103312.jpg
    45.9 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_102027.jpg
    20150913_102027.jpg
    32.4 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_095234.jpg
    20150913_095234.jpg
    26.6 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_094959.jpg
    20150913_094959.jpg
    36.9 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_092051.jpg
    20150913_092051.jpg
    42.3 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_091528.jpg
    20150913_091528.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 6,534
  • 20150913_091448.jpg
    20150913_091448.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 6,534
  • 20150913_090902.jpg
    20150913_090902.jpg
    66.1 KB · Views: 6,533
  • 20150913_090831.jpg
    20150913_090831.jpg
    65.7 KB · Views: 6,533
Got a few more minutes to get a coupla more pics in.
 

Attachments

  • 20150913_104019.jpg
    20150913_104019.jpg
    43.6 KB · Views: 5,522
  • 20150913_103744.jpg
    20150913_103744.jpg
    51.4 KB · Views: 5,523
  • 20150913_103534.jpg
    20150913_103534.jpg
    67.4 KB · Views: 5,523
bonz_d, I picked this one up a couple of months ago for $1,800

Thanxs Jim, I try to be as informational as i can.

O.K., In the last pic you can see the gap between the first bended piece and the transom. Remember we already know this angle from our earlier measurements with the level. Now it is time to cut that angle and cut the steps out of this piece, lets proceed.
 

Attachments

  • 20150920_094201.jpg
    20150920_094201.jpg
    43.6 KB · Views: 5,390
  • 20150913_115251.jpg
    20150913_115251.jpg
    31 KB · Views: 5,389
  • 20150913_113427.jpg
    20150913_113427.jpg
    46.4 KB · Views: 5,390
  • 20150913_113408.jpg
    20150913_113408.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 5,389
  • 20150913_113451.jpg
    20150913_113451.jpg
    46.8 KB · Views: 5,389
  • 20150913_110307.jpg
    20150913_110307.jpg
    54.1 KB · Views: 5,390
  • 20150913_110053.jpg
    20150913_110053.jpg
    28.6 KB · Views: 5,390
Lets continue......
 

Attachments

  • 20150921_132016.jpg
    20150921_132016.jpg
    59.4 KB · Views: 5,341
  • 20150921_131848.jpg
    20150921_131848.jpg
    46.1 KB · Views: 5,340
  • 20150920_104135.jpg
    20150920_104135.jpg
    29.3 KB · Views: 5,341
  • 20150920_102704.jpg
    20150920_102704.jpg
    36.9 KB · Views: 5,341
Thanx Prowler.

In the last pic, I mentioned that I would be cutting the tacked pods off, reason for this is that 1) It will be easier to weld out the seams on a fab table and 2) I plan on putting a piece of plate on the back of the pod, making it a complete box. Some fabricators omit this step and simply seal weld the pod entirely around onto the transom. I plan on just stitch welding the pod on. There is an advantage to this. Remember the bolt heads I mentioned earlier? If you ever have to get to them an all welded pod would be too difficult to cut off, stitch welds wont be.
 

Attachments

  • 20150924_183509.jpg
    20150924_183509.jpg
    81.2 KB · Views: 5,299
  • 20150924_183432.jpg
    20150924_183432.jpg
    72.9 KB · Views: 5,299
  • 20150924_183416.jpg
    20150924_183416.jpg
    66.1 KB · Views: 5,299
  • 20150924_183410.jpg
    20150924_183410.jpg
    75.2 KB · Views: 5,299
  • 20150924_183356.jpg
    20150924_183356.jpg
    74.6 KB · Views: 5,299
  • 20150923_185249.jpg
    20150923_185249.jpg
    55.9 KB · Views: 5,300
  • 20150922_124328.jpg
    20150922_124328.jpg
    37 KB · Views: 5,300
  • 20150922_122229.jpg
    20150922_122229.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 5,300
I wish I was closer to you so i could have you build me a set. Looks way better than the pre built ones.
 
Very nice professional work, as always from you.

How would these compare, price wise, with the units that Cabelas offers? They have three sizes, and all are below $300.00 a set. Of course, one would have to add the cost of having them welded onto their boat.

richg99
 
Nice work. I had a set put on an alum a craft 1756 aw rr with a 90/65 Yamaha 4 stroke. After the guys gave it a test run, they added pods to their river runners (rr) as well. Thanks for sharing.
 
whitetailhntr said:
What will the pods help with?
Floatation for the most part. With the outboard jet on my river runner the pods helped in steering, floatation, and made the boat feel more stable.
 
Mainly for flotation and stability and also increase buoyancy at the stern especially when mounted with heavy mud motor.

Its designed to angle up at the rear to reduce drag when the boat is on plane.
 
Thanx, guys for the compliments.

Rich, my price starts out at $500 installed, that price will vary depending on size, design ie steps or no steps, condition of transom, etc. I am not familiar with the Cabelas pods, but as you stated you still have to have them fitted to your transom and welded. These pods are each custom tailored to the customers boat and built to their specs. The material I use is .125 which I am pretty sure the the Cabelas are not, I cant say for certain though. Maybe someone knows what they use can give us the specs on them.

That being said, it would be up to the customer if they wanted to up the ante for a set of mine or any other builder for that matter. Hopes this answers your question.
 
Well, I guess, by the time that you buy the Cabela's units (Beavertail); have them shipped; and then find someone to weld them on...your price isn't all that much higher.

Custom fit; local guy; ( for me, anyhow); no shipping; good quality...sounds like I need to come to see you if and when I decide to do something.

If someone were to bring the boat to you for measuring...I presume that the boat could then be taken home;fished out of; and then be brought back for the welding??????

At age 76, every day counts!! Ha Ha
richg99

Thanks for the update. richg99
 
Rich, I usually like to keep the boat with me as I'm building them, I like to make **** sure they are going to fit and look good. Rework costs me time and money.

I read up on those beavertails and they seem like a fine product. However they cannot compare to a set custom tailored to your boat in my opinion. I dont like how you have to scab on pieces to make them contour to your transom. No prefab pods can match every manufacturers boat design, look on the beavertail installation instructions, not only does it not match the transom ,the pod doesnt match the side of the boat contour. Not that big of a deal? But for me thats not how i want my boat.

Things to consider when I build them is, like I have said 1) transom angle 2) side of hull angle) 3) motor (with or without a whale tail ) swing at full left and right turn colliding with pod. 4) general size
 

Latest posts

Top