Boat Q

[Shane]

Hiya...

Well doesn't look like I will inherit a boat now :( so I went to the Millard web site looking for a bargin to make me feel better. I spoted the old ski boat there and was wondering how good that would go to being converted into a fishing boat? I mean big forward area for a casting deck.

I am correct in thinking that a low profile boat like a ski boat would be crap for inshore fishing?

...Cheers

Shane

[jimi]

Hey Shane, the ski boat-fishing boat conversion is something that plenty of people have been talking about, but no one has tried to my knowledge. If you look at the american bass boats, they are basically a ski boat hull with a fishing friendly fit out. They do appear to be a bit fuller in the bow though which is important if you want to stand up there.

I'd go for an outboard powered hull rather than an inboard one (like many ski boats) as you can avoid having a large engine box taking up space and you can go into shallow water as you can tilt the motor.

The little ski boats you see in the river would probably be crap in the ocean as they have almost no freeboard and most have a very pointy little bow that would probably go straight through decent chop, meaning you would take a lot of water on board.

However, I have seen some larger ski boats that are a bit higher and probably designed for ocean skiing. They may be ok for inshore fishing work.

Be interesting to hear if anyone has tried the conversion.

James.

[Jocool]

Whats the Millard website address??

Might know just the boat for you.

Bro in laws just bought a brand new one due for delivery in a week or two's time. His current 16ft runabout is a beaut little glass hull, which he wants to sell.

It's off being cut & polished at the Spray painters, and has the windscreen off etc for new replacement perspex screen being fitted, so it's easier to see thru than the old one which was a bit faded and crazed.

He's also just hangin a bigger OB on the back (75Hp ) that he's recently replaced the impeller on....and gussied up real nice...

It will go like the clappers with the extra horses and pull a skier no sweat, and the hulls sound, the galv trailers a beaut with no rust, good lights & springs etc.

He's done heaps to it like new steering etc and it'll be a really sweet ride for someone. He finally just got the boat really sweet and then along came the opportunity for the new one which was too good to pass up, so now the old one must be sold.

You could convert it to a front casting platform / centre console without too much trouble I reckon.

When he's got it all back together this week or next I'll try and get the photo's posted before he advertises it if you want.

He's putting in a lot of effert to make it present well....and when I rode in it with it's original 50 Hp OB, it was pretty quick then...the 75 will really make it get up n boogie.

I'll post here when it's ready in a week or so and hopefully get a photo as well.

Cheers!