If anyone has seen by bass-fishing post, you'd know that I've taken it up recently. While I've been a fisherman for a long time, bass fishing was something I never got into. I never had any friends that were big into it, I never had any luck at lakes or rivers (sea bass being the exception), and never really enjoyed it. Well, long-story short, I've gotten good at it in short time and decided that I wanted to do more than just shore fish (especially after the fish stopped biting when the summer heat really hit).
Something to note here - prior to this, I had almost zero knowledge of boats, other than the fact that they float (most of the time). I originally was looking for a 12-14' Jon or simple aluminum boat. After telling a few people my plans (those familiar with boats), they laughed at me. Apparently being 6'3" and 335 lbs was not something I thought mattered in a boat that was 12' long. Apparently I was wrong. After being shown-the-light, I started looking for a 16-17' bass-style or multi-use boat in decent shape.
Found a few options but PA can be a PITA, since both the boat and trailer needs to be titled to get registered, though the law didn't change until 1997. So, many people with older boats or who have inherited a boat from family members simply can't sell them (or at least can't sell them to someone in PA with the hopes of getting it registered). Word got around that I was looking and a long-time friend was selling a boat he had for a number of years. It was his first, then his dad bought it. They then loaned/sold to a family friend, and then bought it back. My Over the years and through different owners, it was neglected a little and my friend decided that it was more work than he was interested in.
So, for a whopping $700, I bought me a 1990 Sea Nymph Sidewinder SC175, including the trailer, 70hp Evinrude, and 50 ft-lb trolling motor...
It hasn't been on water in about 4 years and has been sitting on flat tires for about the same time. But, overall the boat and trailer are in nice shape and will be a good boat for me to earn my Captain's Hat.
It needs some work for sure - the floor being the main issue. There are some soft/water-logged spots of foam too that will need to be replaced and likely the transom will need to be reboarded...
It's rare that the family is excited for any project of mine, but both kids wanted photos inside it when I backed it up the driveway - my son even offered to help without being asked. They are pushing me to get it done before winter for even just a short drive around the lake. That may be an ambitious timeline but I will try. Immediate steps are to get the water soaked foam replaced, fix/replace the transom boards, carpet the new wood floor, and fix/upgrade the wiring to the console.
Over winter, I'll reupholster the rod lockers and front deck, add a fish finder and some lights, find a replacement windshield, and do some other upgrades (bimi style fold up/down sunshade and maybe a small tow bar so we can pull the kids on tubes). I'm excited - as I said, I have no real knowledge of boats but am filling in the details as I go. They're very Jeep like, at least this one is. It reminds me of a YJ - just enough electronics to make it reliable and enjoyable, but nothing that you can't fix/repair easily in a weekend (or on the water!).
Something to note here - prior to this, I had almost zero knowledge of boats, other than the fact that they float (most of the time). I originally was looking for a 12-14' Jon or simple aluminum boat. After telling a few people my plans (those familiar with boats), they laughed at me. Apparently being 6'3" and 335 lbs was not something I thought mattered in a boat that was 12' long. Apparently I was wrong. After being shown-the-light, I started looking for a 16-17' bass-style or multi-use boat in decent shape.
Found a few options but PA can be a PITA, since both the boat and trailer needs to be titled to get registered, though the law didn't change until 1997. So, many people with older boats or who have inherited a boat from family members simply can't sell them (or at least can't sell them to someone in PA with the hopes of getting it registered). Word got around that I was looking and a long-time friend was selling a boat he had for a number of years. It was his first, then his dad bought it. They then loaned/sold to a family friend, and then bought it back. My Over the years and through different owners, it was neglected a little and my friend decided that it was more work than he was interested in.
So, for a whopping $700, I bought me a 1990 Sea Nymph Sidewinder SC175, including the trailer, 70hp Evinrude, and 50 ft-lb trolling motor...
It hasn't been on water in about 4 years and has been sitting on flat tires for about the same time. But, overall the boat and trailer are in nice shape and will be a good boat for me to earn my Captain's Hat.
It needs some work for sure - the floor being the main issue. There are some soft/water-logged spots of foam too that will need to be replaced and likely the transom will need to be reboarded...
It's rare that the family is excited for any project of mine, but both kids wanted photos inside it when I backed it up the driveway - my son even offered to help without being asked. They are pushing me to get it done before winter for even just a short drive around the lake. That may be an ambitious timeline but I will try. Immediate steps are to get the water soaked foam replaced, fix/replace the transom boards, carpet the new wood floor, and fix/upgrade the wiring to the console.
Over winter, I'll reupholster the rod lockers and front deck, add a fish finder and some lights, find a replacement windshield, and do some other upgrades (bimi style fold up/down sunshade and maybe a small tow bar so we can pull the kids on tubes). I'm excited - as I said, I have no real knowledge of boats but am filling in the details as I go. They're very Jeep like, at least this one is. It reminds me of a YJ - just enough electronics to make it reliable and enjoyable, but nothing that you can't fix/repair easily in a weekend (or on the water!).