So I recently sold my Ranger 521vx when I moved from just east of Dallas, I now live in Granbury and have some decent lakes around me, but I feel naked without a rig to go out in. I have plenty of buddies who I can hitch rides with when I head out to fish big water like Lake Fork and all that which is awesome. I have nothing out this way though.

I was kicking the idea around of maybe getting into a 18� Aluminum center console and rigging it really nice with a Ultrex and Poles maybe a jack plate, I will primarly bass and crappie fish but with the aluminum boat I have more options if I want to take it out to duck hunt some public water.

So the search was on to find my starting platform, I was between Lund, G3, Ranger, Polarkraft, and a few others.

-Ranger I hated the console and once I hung poles on the back warranty voided.

-G3 was a decent rig, fit and finish didn�t impress me, I really wanted a Merc motor which wasn�t a option and also poles voided the warranty.

-Polar Kraft was a mediocre boat, lost some live well and storage space, not a really huge name in aluminum boats, it was tough though because I really wanted to deal my business through Monte at fun n sun

-Lund well the name speaks for itself, specialize in high quality and durable aluminum rigs, layout and storage was perfect, standard options are what I wanted, trailer updrades were available, WIDEST beam out of all of them. It was basically my perfect choice.

So I went to Fish and Ski Marine on Ray Rob and had the pleasure of working with BJ, Chris, and Sam. Let me first say those guys are A1! All the service guys were really awesome, everyone was professional, and let me take the reins on this build! Couldn�t ask for better guys to do business with!

So I got the boat order put in and now the rigging starts! My build is as follows...

Lund 1870 Predator Center Console
Shadow grass camo
Mercury Fourstroke 90ELPT Command Thrust (5yr extended warranty)
OnBoard 3bank charger
Bow trim switch
1 shadow grass fold down seat
Black power coated trailer with swing tounge
Upgraded wheel and tire package with spare
Boat buckle ratcheting tie downs
2 8� black Power Pole Blades
52� Minnkota Ultrex 80lb thrust
Lowrance HDS 9 on console with 3D Structure Scan
Lowrance HDS 7 on bow (linked to the console unit)

I REALLY want to add the recessed trolling motor tray but there is a big support beam I would have to cut through and that scares me. So we�ll see down the road. I�m going to also add some little mods here and there. Possible trolling motor spot light, power pole nav light, might seadeck line the front deck, etc

Here is a sneak peak pic. I will keep y�all updated on progress! This is exciting, and a very unique rigged out tin boat that didn�t break the bank!


image sharing sites

Nice! Now throw you a hydraulic jack plate on to help in the shallow water

I really considered a hydro plate, I believe I will add it down the road. As it sits right now the boat will fit in my garage with about 3/4 to spare lol Sounds like I need to move huh lol

Sweet! Really nice boat!

Nice versatile boat. I also run aluminum rigs because I'm too hard on glass rigs and I can TIG weld. As long as I can limp it back to the trailer I can fix it!! Congrats

Nice. My rig is being built now. But it will be a duck boat first and fishing second. 20/54 with a mud motor. 3/16 bottom and 1/8 sides.

couple of things I've added to my duck/fishing/river boat....nothing is slicker than trying to step into a wet aluminum boat with muddy boots or waders on....the strips in pic are step tread tape from lowes....has a non skid abrasive type finish on one side and sticky finish on other side...comes in a roll like tape and you just cut off whatever lengths you need put it where you are most likely to step.....not only do they work great mine but have lasted for 7 years and are holding up fine...
the other thing I added is an anchor rein that I attached a brass snap to....it gives me a 25 ft rope for tieing my boat off...it retracts back into the holder and rope is always handy and never gets tangled...
the other use for the anchor rein is when I launch by myself....I unhook winch and tiedowns....pull out the anchor rein snap and hook it to my winch stand...back the trailer into the water far enough for boat to float off then pull forward enough that my feet don't get wet,unhook snap from winch stand and pull boat to the bank on one side or the other of the trailer....

Nice rig!

Well she is home!

Nice. Can I get a 21 ft with a side console in that rig?

Biggest they make at the moment is a 20' in side and center console.

Looks good here�s my hunting rig but still kept my Triton to fish out of.

Very nice. I have been looking at various aluminum bass boats, had not seen something like this. For what I want it may be a very good option. I fly fish as well as conventional primarily on grapevine and lewisville. The power poles might be an issue, just how high over the motor are they when not deployed?

If you don't mind, and you could shoot it back in a PM, could you share approx what this setup cost? Do you know if trailer brakes were an option for the trailer? Im looking to pull this with a Jeep Wrangler (2 door) so I would have to get the brakes to feel safe.. lol.

Thanks

I recently got a Havoc boat (rigged it stick steer for fishing as I don't duck hunt). I use it on a small private lake that has a horsepower restriction which is the reason for the 20hp but you can run a 40hp on these I think (with the 20hp it does 22mph on GPS). Very happy with this rig and would recommend to anyone looking for a tin boat. http://www.havocboats.com

Figured an image of mine would help