Turning inboard jet to OS Pilot House build.

Discussion in 'Metal Boat Building' started by crowsridge, Mar 2, 2016.

  1. crowsridge
    Joined: Apr 2010
    Posts: 141
    Likes: 4, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 15
    Location: Eugene, Oregon

    crowsridge Senior Member

    I bought this boat awhile back because I wanted a big aluminum fishing boat similar to it. I had played around with 5-6 project boats, bought plans from GlenL to build a boat from scratch etc. and my wife said one day "Go get one that is done so we can use it!". Well, who am I to argue with the boss?

    So we hunted for awhile and thought we had found one, drove 2 hours to test drive it and when we got there, another salesman was running a demo and sold it.......

    When I got home, I found my current boat on Craigslist and was very interested in it. Drove 5 hours, looked it over for quite awhile and then drug it home, with a plan.

    It was a 23' Fish Rite inboard jet that had spent most of its life on the Sacramento Delta. The original guides nameplate was inside the center console from the factory. The second owner had sold the 496 cu. in. motor and pump out of it. So I got the hull, trailer and a ton of extras, some still brand new. Fenders, anchor system, Lowrance FF and a GPS, stereo, 8 seats, 8 Scotty rod holders, Big Jon down riggers and much more.

    I had made arrangements to take it back to Fish Rite to have an offshore bracket put on it to replace the jet setup. But I found a local builder that would do it. A bit more money, but saved me 2 6 hour round trips and 2 days off work wasted.

    I will post pics of the first round of change and then on to the current project. My oldest son and his family moved up north. After I got the boat running, I took the boat to northern Idaho and eastern Washington a few times. On New Years Day, it was 19 degrees. Its just way too cold for an open boat. It does have a double top, but no windshield or side curtains.

    Anyway, here is what I started with.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Is that a 6 degree or 10 degree hull? Both will beat your brains out in open water, it will make a very good fishing platform though.
     
  3. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I do believe that boat with a 496 cu in would have been well into white-knuckle territory !
     
  4. crowsridge
    Joined: Apr 2010
    Posts: 141
    Likes: 4, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 15
    Location: Eugene, Oregon

    crowsridge Senior Member

    I believe it is 6 degree. I surmise that because its so heavy is why it rides pretty well. The hull is all 1/4" plus all the fame is as well. Its main use is big lakes and rivers, but will go to the sound for a week each summer. We took it out on a really snotty day to try fishing. Big waves and so windy you couldn't troll straight. It rode well and stable. Got 2 fish to boot.

    It does 34 mph with a 200 hp Merc without trying other props. Id bet it would have flown with that big block.
     
  5. crowsridge
    Joined: Apr 2010
    Posts: 141
    Likes: 4, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 15
    Location: Eugene, Oregon

    crowsridge Senior Member

    Painted, step and motors. Not sure why they turn sideways. Sorry
     

    Attached Files:


  6. crowsridge
    Joined: Apr 2010
    Posts: 141
    Likes: 4, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 15
    Location: Eugene, Oregon

    crowsridge Senior Member

    How we did the interior of the old motor well.
     

    Attached Files:

Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.