Calling ideas people!

seamonkey · #1 12-04-2008, 07:41 PM

Hey all

This is my bream practice platform.Its a Brooker 3.1m I picked up from a generous fellow fisher. I have an old 4hp Merc that I have got going and gets me around albeit slowly.

So my question is what would you do to make it more fishable? And don't say sell it! Think tiny (not tinny) tiny budget.

All ideas welcome.

Cheers
Smky

Malcolm · #2 12-04-2008, 08:06 PM

Hello,

Making it more fishable...... Don't bring friends they'll get in the way on a 3.1. Either a transom mount electric motor or if you can't afford one of these yet a sea anchor to keep the wind from pushing you on top of structure while keeping you close.

Apart from that use your motor to get you near the structure/fishing spot then use the momentum/wind to get you close enough for some good casts on a winde assisted drifts.

An oar wouldn't go astray as well to push you off any structure you get too close to.

Have fun,

Mark

mundz · #3 12-04-2008, 08:13 PM

i just bought a simliar sized boat although mine is a little bigger at 3.45 and i have a 6hp on the back, i found putting some decks in made it a lot more comfortable to fish out of and all you really need is some construction ply, and some waterproofing stuff and some carpet shouldn't cost much i was fortunate enough to have sourced all mine for free, also i bought a sounder from DohDohDoh on special for $150 and this has found me dozens of new spots by just bein able to see whats on the bottom.

CK · #4 13-04-2008, 12:23 AM

Seamonkey, if it was a cheapie, it sure dont look like it

I'm in the process of refitting my tinnie, a 3.8m Stacer Kipper. It has two thwart seats instead of three, which in my book is a whole lot easier to move around and fish in.

I dont ahve any pics as yet, but I've just completed the bracing for the flooring. I've used 30mm square alloy tube. I'm just waiting to get this welded in before fitting the floor. I expect I'll go with 12mm construction ply. I was plannong on useing 17mm, but I dont thing I really need the extra width as the bearers are close enough I expect to bear the weight. The front casting deck is next and then fitting of the BM leccie.

If you can safely remove that middle thwart it would make a HUGE difference to how you boat fishes. BEWARE however as this might not be structurally possible.

I'll try to get some pics and download this week

BARRAkid · #5 13-04-2008, 08:03 AM

well what i would do is put a full floor through because it has 3 seats it would be easy. Then i would put under floor storage. and that would be it and it will heaver and a bit more stabel.oww and carpet

cheers bK

seamonkey · #6 13-04-2008, 09:55 PM

One thought was to put a floor in level the middle and front seat. This might make the centre of gravity too high though.

Any thoughts?

Smky

bucaneer · #7 14-04-2008, 12:55 AM

Hi Chris,
That hull looks very familiar to me. I maybe wrong, but if that is the hull I am thinking about, it is the most unstable boat I have ever been in. Have you had it on the water yet?
I can see by the pictures how narrow it is, and in my opinion putting casting decks or a raised floor in it would be disastrous.
Before you spend one cent on it, put it in shallow water (about 1 metre), and stand on one of the seats, then slowly move your feet towards the edge.
My guess is that you will end up in the drink very quickly. If you can't stand near the edge of your boat on the seat, it will behave no differently with raised casting decks. Short of finding a cheap explorer, jabiru or similar hull in a boat yard, and trading the Brooker in, I can't see how you could make that hull into a safe casting platform
Cheers,
Andy

seamonkey · #8 14-04-2008, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucaneer

Hi Chris,
That hull looks very familiar to me. I maybe wrong, but if that is the hull I am thinking about, it is the most unstable boat I have ever been in. Have you had it on the water yet?
I can see by the pictures how narrow it is, and in my opinion putting casting decks or a raised floor in it would be disastrous.
Before you spend one cent on it, put it in shallow water (about 1 metre), and stand on one of the seats, then slowly move your feet towards the edge.
My guess is that you will end up in the drink very quickly. If you can't stand near the edge of your boat on the seat, it will behave no differently with raised casting decks. Short of finding a cheap explorer, jabiru or similar hull in a boat yard, and trading the Brooker in, I can't see how you could make that hull into a safe casting platform
Cheers,
Andy

I could drown in a meter Andy!

No surprisingly its quite stable...I've fished from up the front and its ok. That said its just me...I would'nt want to try two people. But I have'nt tried standing on a seat. Thats exactly my plan before I go further.
The problem is how best to electrify and I want to find the best fishing position first. At the moment I stand at the back and it could be a transom mount is the way to go. That said it really doesn't want any more weight in the back.

Cheers
Chris

bucaneer · #9 14-04-2008, 09:26 AM

Chris,
Can't remember or didn't notice the brand of the boat I was thinking of, but it was a very narrow beam tinny. I personally would go for a transom mount on that boat. There is very little weight in the motor, so mount the battery in the bow. The most unstable part of that boat (for that matter, in any V hull tinny) is the bow, so all your casting will be done from the stern or amidships any way. Quite seriously, if you want the electric to lead the way, operate the boat in reverse, though it is a little awkward to steer that way because the tiller is pointing out the back of the boat. On the electric, I would go the 42 lb thrust over the 28 lb. This will not over power it, and in current or wind you will be glad of the extra power.
Cheers,
Andy

Phantom · #10 14-04-2008, 11:42 PM

personally i wouldnt add full casting decks, you only have a 4hp motor atm and with floors, carpet, storage ect, it will just slow you down even more, pick a place between two seats (best at the front so as not to weight the back end down) and just put a floor there for time being, if you upgrade your motor then you could make more floor space.

djmac · #11 18-04-2008, 02:18 AM

Chris,

I would give it a go standing on the seat and if all is good make a deck infill between the 2 front seats. (you dont wanna cut out a seat or you lose alot of structural strength)
that way your weight is a bit more centered and less chance of you going splasssssssssh!

if you end up with a transom or bow mount it should be realisitcally reachable from that area.

also will be a good place to store your battery etc underneath as if you change the centre of gravity by putting the deck on a bit of weight should help it settle a bit more.

its that a press studded piece of leather or vinyl on the front seat? very ritzy! if you do take someone out they will surely ride in comfort!

i dont even have a seat for the passenger on mine