Although Mrs. dustyvarmint would probably disagree I wasn’t as busy bowfishing this year as I would have liked. However, we were out earlier than ever before, we made it to two new lakes; one of them the best bowfishing experience I’ve had to date and the other showing great potential; we hosted the Up North Journal Team and I helped set up three, yes three, boats. The latest boat is the subject of this blog.
Once I introduced Super Slam archer and friend Gary to bowfishing he was hooked. I personally think it’s because he’s already shot everything on land and now wants to work over the water creatures. Anyway, Gary already had a small 14′ jon boat with motor he wasn’t using that would serve as a starter for the joint project. Previously used as a bass boat, it already had a casting deck up front. We extended the carpeted deck which also added storage and installed a low-cost PVC light rail inspired by the Up North Journal patriarch, Michael Adams. Relatively economical battery operated navigation lights were added since we’d be out after dark. Five, five-hundred watt halogen shop lights were installed on the light rail. The lighting system was hard-wired to the generator with a single plug rather than relying on multiple plugs and power bars in the bottom of the boat that might get wet. We found a 3500-4000 watt Champion generator at Tractor Supply for $300.
In the beginning.
The extended deck with storage area underneath. The light rails are in progress.
A close up of the light rail.
Our Generator
A note on generators – here in south east Wisconsin the lakes we shoot are generally quite populated with houses close to shore. Using a loud generator at 1:00 a.m. will generally get you a visit from a Conservation or local law enforcement officer or screamed at by a home owner. When shopping for generators we found the very quiet Honda series products would run in the 58 db range while the Champion ran in the 67 db range. However, the Hondas were five times the price of the Champion. We decided to chance the Champion and have been happy with it thus far. However, it is very apparent when running it next by friend’s Honda that the Champion is quite easily the noisiest.
Having learned a lesson on the UNJ boat regarding trolling motor shaft-length we shopped for and bought one with a 42″ shaft. It was only $10 more than the 36″ shaft and makes a significant difference in the ability to stand and operate the controls from the bow of the boat – even for my short carcass. Gary fabricated a mount for the trolling motor. Just as with the Up North Journal boat modification we turned the stern-mounted troller’s control handle 180 degrees so that it could be used as a bow-mounted troller. This is usually an easy change only requiring the removal of one screw. However, if the trolling motor ever needs warranty service I recommend changing the handle back to its original configuration to save you any controversy.
The trolling motor mount with the control handle rotated 180 degrees.
That was pretty much it for functional modifications. Lessons learned over time, though, led to a few more additions. A $5 plastic tool box went in the storage compartment loaded with a screwdriver that fit the lenses on the shop lights, extra bulbs for same, a ratchet and socket that fit the trolling motor propeller nut in the case someone’s retrieval line gets wrapped up in it (I’ve seen it twice over the past two years), another socket used to adjust the shop light angles and, finally, extra batteries for the navigation lights. A waterproof Rubbermaid tote keeps our extra clothing dry.
Gary poses with the final product.
On our maiden voyage we shot four or five fish, got lost, forgot to open the vent on the motor causing it to die repeatedly and got stuck in some serious quack grass forcing us to paddle our way out. Our next voyage on a new lake found a GPS in the tool box, we changed out one broken bulb, and shot four fish of personal record size for both Gary and I. Additionally, Gary shot his first dogfish.
Gary poses with fish from our second voyage.
In total we spent about $800 on the boat, no small amount, which would get you started on a nice fair-chase hog hunt. However, we get to shoot fish more often and for less overall cost. We have a few other odds and ends we want to do, but at the end of the season the boat is ready to go. We’ve already got plans for the third weekend in April of 2010…
happy bowfishing, dv
If you liked this blog you may like the following:
- The Bowfishing Boat – A Different Option
- Bowfishing With The Up North Journal Podcast Team
- Bowfishing – Preparing The Boat
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