I thought I'd do a quick recap on my build to help those in process, especially since I think I'm finally done adding items. I've learned a ton and found some, "can't live without" items while building her. I hope it helps you, if you are covered in fiberglass night after night and weekend after weekend. It is all worth it in the end, trust me.
Other builds helped me muscle through the year of hard work and it paid off. My wife and I are fishing this boat three to five times a month, at a minimum and enjoy the heck out of it. The fuel mileage is amazing with the outboard and bracket. It makes fishing this thing so economical it is crazy. Not to mention, there are few surprises. Everything works like it should.
The build was here:
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/the-3500-bd-deal.556483/
and here:
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/3500-bd-deal-continued.617526/
Must haves on this build:
This is what I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving this year... it is done and we're going fishing.
Tight lines!
Other builds helped me muscle through the year of hard work and it paid off. My wife and I are fishing this boat three to five times a month, at a minimum and enjoy the heck out of it. The fuel mileage is amazing with the outboard and bracket. It makes fishing this thing so economical it is crazy. Not to mention, there are few surprises. Everything works like it should.
The build was here:
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/the-3500-bd-deal.556483/
and here:
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/3500-bd-deal-continued.617526/
Must haves on this build:
- Enclosed transom. When we had scuppers, self bailing deck and the notched transom, the deck was always wet. Now, bone dry. Bilge comes on only when we take a rare one over the bow or when we are washing blood off of the deck.
- Storage. I crammed as much storage on this boat as I could handle. From bags mounted to the leaning post, tackle storage in the back and the top cabinets on the tackle storage... I'm to a point in which I have more than enough storage, which is never the case on a small vessel. Sometimes I had to think outside of the box to get that extra little bit of room... those top storage compartments are stainless restaurant steam trays and the saddle bags are off of my old off road touring mountain bike.
- Going big. From the bigger outboard that never goes above 2200 rpm and easily moves the boat with fuel sipping, to the best bait tank I could muster, a new trailer to remove headaches, Simrad, all new wiring, more battery power, trolling motor... it all made it worth it in the end. The boat is a breeze to hook up, use and then put away, which makes it fun.
- Outboard on a bracket. From what I can tell from the old boat, this prop has very little interference from water movement of the hull and rides much better.
- Automatic trim tabs. Don't ask, just do. On plane in seconds.
- On board charging. I can't stress this one enough. I come home, and no matter how much were under power during the trip, the batteries always need charging when plugged in to shore power. Peace of mind is worth $. I also added two automotive type plugs for cell charging. ... and yes, that is my thumb in the photo.
- Towels clipped to the cap. I have six spots, five towels and they get used constantly on the boat.
- Trash bags.. yes, trash storage was my wife's demand and I'll be damned if she wasn't right. So much so that we doubled it up and now have two. Don't tell her, though.
- Bimini top clips for bumpers. So easy. All of my bumpers clip in, locations on both sides of the boat. No more having to tie them up when you come in or go out.
- Doing it myself. After using a few boat guys to do some of the work and never being quite happy with the end result, just rolling up my sleeves and getting dirty was key. From glassing, to weight distribution, parts selection, paint, pulling wires and hooking everything up, cutting 4" holes in the bottom for 'ducers... it was all good. I now know the boat from top to bottom, and on the rare issue, I can fix it quickly. Not to mention the cash I saved.
This is what I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving this year... it is done and we're going fishing.
Tight lines!
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