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mud-skipper

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I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Mike Caswell, sort of retired, and my wife and I own Caswell Inc (https://www.caswellplating.com). Last fall we went on a 'bucket list' tour of Australia and China. We had a fantastic time, spending a couple of weeks in Oz with my brother who runs www.caswellplating.com.au and then onto a whirlwind tour all over China.

The highlight of this adventure for me was the bamboo raft river ride on the Li River, out of Yangzhou. I have a video of our ride, and I hope you enjoy it --
[youtube]HOyZhdmKD1I[/youtube]

We live in Fairport, NY on The Erie Canal (see my live webcam below) and enjoy fishing and boating (especially boat ride to the local pub) and so when I got home from China I said to my wife, "Wouldn't it be neat to have a bamboo raft on the canal?" She said I was nuts, but that was nothing new, so I made a miniature raft. Bamboo in Fairport? Nope! The Chinese rafts are made from schedule 35 sewer pipes.

I started with 12 x 14' x 4" diam pipes, and to make life easy, I use 22.5 degree elbow to kick the last foot of the pipes up to make a bow. The Chinese bent their pipes using heat, and I've tried it, but with limited success!

Next, was the motor! I was going to try to make a motor frame myself for a cheap Harborfreight Predator that my kids bought me for Christmas, but then I found a couple of companies sell Thailand kits. I bought one, liked the idea and then it hit me. I have the perfect spot at our warehouse in Lyons NY, as we have waterfront access and yard space, ideal to sell boats and motors.

To cut a long story short, I ended up becoming a dealer for the KKKGroup and we have a bunch of motor kits in stock now. We also purchased the business https://www.mudauber.com and have all their SPS inventory.

Here's some video etc you may enjoy.

My live webcam on the Erie Canal - https://www.moonrakers.com/camera.php (The white haired guy pottering about is me)

My pipe raft launch with a neighbor's lad at the helm - https://www.moonrakers.com/raft1a.mov

Assembling the longtail kit
[youtube]pLC8ZD8wR-I[/youtube]

Some video of longtails running
[youtube]hzEMJm_SlQw[/youtube]

Our web page https://www.mud-skipper.com

You also see us on Ebay.

I'll post some details of my pipe raft assembly shortly.

Mike Caswell
 
Welcome aboard Mike, and thanks for the sponsorship!

I've only watched the first vid so far, but wanted to respond before I have to leave the computer.

AWESOME!!! I was thinking to myself how nervous I would be on the river floating on pvc pipe, but I got so caught up in the scenery.... WOW.

Might have to make it to my bucket list!

Thanks for posting, and I look forward to watching the other vids and checking out your links soon.

=D>
 
So this mud motor is for PVC boats and small little rafts? I don't get it... Would this mount to a real boat? If so do you have any pictures of these on a Jon boat? Or better yet videos. Thanks for sharing this is interesting.
 
SMOOTHboar said:
So this mud motor is for PVC boats and small little rafts? I don't get it... Would this mount to a real boat? If so do you have any pictures of these on a Jon boat? Or better yet videos. Thanks for sharing this is interesting.

Mud motors go on aluminum boats as well. The PVC would be a much less expensive option. The motor's function is the ability to run in skinny water and over rock/logs etc... No lower unit and air cooled. They are loud though for the HP you get.
 
Welcome aboard Mike. Those are some very interesting motors and kits. Gives me a lot of ideas to add to MY bucket list.
 
For all those interested in plastic pipe rafts

Here is our maiden voyage!

[youtube]0ZpdYDF4zEI[/youtube]
 

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