Hobie Cat 16 Electric Pontoon Fishing Boat

[@franklinbruner9267]

Nice to see you at the lake today my brother. I was paddling my kayak thinking of a 20 ft. Hobie cat conversion and then I saw you. I had to check out your build. I dig it.

[@paultrimble9390]

Yes sir. “Reel” nice 👍🏻 don’t get me wrong I love it. Shows what a little elbow grease and idea can do cheap boat build. As good as any fishing boat in ten thousand. Awesome job.

[@CapnSchep]

Awesome innovation especially having the kayak hull raised slightly, preventing the kayaks transom from being submerged too much preventing unnecessary drag, very efficient ...!!

[@bluecollarstudio8513]

Excellent build, really innovative. It looks like you really move on the water. I've been looking for a way to carry my kayak on my pontoon and also adding a 3rd toon. It never occurred to me to stick it underneath. Genius idea.

[@terryferre2149]

I have seen this boat in the water at 5 am.. Dude was in an inlet dropping a weekend softy off the stern.. The boats a toilet breaker!

[@donaldedwards7037]

Ha, You are a funny guy !!! You must be admired by everyone around you ! Enjoy your life , you piece of shit !!

[@davidkay4174]

Nice , what was it about an inflatable on water at night that you didn't like

[@bigunone]

I have been looking for a light weight fishing boat capable of carrying my weight plus gear that would be comfortable for all day use. I had just seen a Hobie 16 for sale on my local CL and went Hmm. I don't like canoes lost a lot of gear when the wind flipped us over, the lake I go to are non gasoline motors. So I searched Hobie cat as a fishing boat and your video popped up in first . I haven't checked the rest of your channel yet , But how has this stood up over the years anything you would do different, is the third pontoon really necessary?

[@donaldedwards7037]

OK, I've added two more videos , one of the 20hp install and another of the performance on the water, Hope you like them.

[@seanfarmer7371]

Nice Job. Any idea of how much weight the cat could take? Without the kayak and with? Thanks

[@martinmiller7623]

Good job fast and steady sir.

[@garygerard4290]

that thing Cooks! gonna check out your other videos

[@Emmettaug]

How low does that puppy sit. Looks a little heavy

[@mibengal]

Nice job. I like the idea of using the kayak for the third pontoon. Curious what kind of run time you get out of a full charge.

[@donaldedwards7037]

Thanks, It's a 24 volt system, 2) 100 amp hour batteries. I get about 5 - 6 hours at trolling speed. 1 to 1 1/2 hours at full speed.

[@jamesdiamond5725]

Never ever ever I have bananas on a boat. If you’re a boater, do you know about that

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

I really want to know if you are thinking of taking it to the salt water offshore fishing? would you be confident that boat will hold up ? I mean the deck?

[@Alpha-to9od]

Nice built, some fishing rod holders would be great too.

[@donaldedwards7037]

I added 2 more Rod Holders about 6 weeks ago, thru the Deck facing the Stern for trolling..... I had some mounted to the Down Rigger mounts.

[@robertbrander2074]

Great Idea ! ....... Does it work to your expectations ?

[@siraywat]

What size and gauge metal framing studs did you use and what distance between top rows and bottom supports? Thank You!

[@Antipodean33]

You must keep in mind weight, these are small lightweight cat hulls, they are built for speed, not weight carrying ability

[@BantengAngler]

Well done, i like like like very like this bro 👍👍👍

[@nicholasgaudet6309]

Really neat setup thanks for sharing 👍

[@PhilipCook123]

I might of missed it but what kayak did you use underneath?

[@campingincolorado6432]

That looks a lot like Brush hollow Colorado, I live in Divide Colorado myself, that part where you showed that mini van I was fishing there just last year. I like the boat and the deck you made, ever thought about putting solar panels on it?

[@donaldedwards7037]

it is Brush hollow.... thought about the panels, but I'm also thinking a 9.9 or 15 horse outboard.

[@CapnSchep]

A 2 or 3 hp outboard would be suffice and very efficient but you would fly with a 9.9 to 15 hp lol ..!

[@michaelbarlow3876]

How much does the deck weigh

[@riyadhw888]

Hi Donald, nice set up. Does the bottom of the kayak line up with the bottom of the hobie hulls?

[@donaldedwards7037]

sorry took so long to reply, did not see your question until now, the hobie hulls are curved and at the deepest point sit 5 to 6 inches deeper than the kayak.

[@CapnSchep]

Doing that prevents drag from the kayaks transom opposed to it being submerged ..!

[@jackellenberger3578]

Love the steering wheel.

[@donaldedwards7037]

Ha !! had to use something ! I installed a GoCart steering wheel later.

[@theosalt1]

Aaagh! Bananas on a boat are bad luck! Great set up.

[@Jeremy-fy1sz]

Nicely done

[@ronaldharris6569]

That bike fork tiller is a good idea

[@Danny-sq1ym]

Nice build feel like making another I have a hull 😁

[@chuckvoss9344]

Very good job.

[@gerrylenpendergast-clark3946]

Great mods and innovations!!! I've a question concerning the PVC railing. Do you feel it's sturdy enough?

[@donaldedwards7037]

Not to lean on or use forcefully, it's good enough to support the netting and keep my stuff from rolling off the deck.

[@mattj.4533]

Slick. Nice job.

[@Slumberjacksix]

Love it! Well done.

[@johnnycage187]

Which gas outboard size would you recommend for this? 2.5, 5 or 9.9? You think a third hull would work instead of a kayak? I have access to 2 hobie cats I was thinking I can make it have 3 hulls so I don't have to buy a kayak to dissect. THANKS!

[@donaldedwards7037]

If I had a third hull I would have used that instead of the kayak.

[@johnnycage187]

Donald Edwards THANKS Donald! If you had 4 hulls would you prefer over 3?

[@donaldedwards7037]

Yes I would !

[@troylunn496]

I believe Hobie cats have asymmetrical hulls, so if you take a third Hobie Cat hull and drop it in the center it will most likely make your boat turn and/or be slow from extra drag you'd be putting on that hull and the rudders trying to get it to go straight. I think Prados have symmetrical hulls, so you could probably drop one of those in the center for extra buoyancy.

[@denniswarren3211]

Troy Lund is correct the Hobie hulls are assymetrical. I have 4 of these hulls and I have been looking at placement of all 4. One of my concerns is the hulls are design to track without the benefit of centerboards so it would make sense that they would resist steerage.

[@eanaridoean1149]

Wow very nice,.. I think you need roof, you know for sun and rain protection.

[@donaldedwards7037]

I have something in mind... it's called the VERSA BRELLA...(found it online) have to fabricate the mount then try it out this spring.

[@johnnycage187]

I love it!! Got any blueprints or anything that can help me re create this? How did you create the steering wheel to work with the outboard? Thanks in advance!!

[@donaldedwards7037]

Sorry No blue prints... built it all from my head and trial and error. I just asked myself......Hummmm how can I make this work. I did that 1 component at a time.

[@imprezalx555]

I really like how quiet it is

[@donaldedwards7037]

Thanks, quiet as a whisper.

[@donaldedwards7037]

Hey everybody, after all this talk of an outboard conversion, I have started the installation of a Suzuki 20hp on her. I have pic's but can't figure out how to post them with this thread........ I'll keep you posted.

[@allentobolewski7273]

I have A VENURE 15 I am deciding what engine to use. How did yours go?

[@cornhuskers321]

Looks Good!!!!

[@donaldedwards7037]

Thanks

[@playAgainMe]

looks good

[@christopherlunsford5357]

Awesome!

[@lewisalexander8362]

Add some solar panels and you are set

[@jeffreywheeler6150]

where can i buy them motors

[@donaldedwards7037]

I bought mine from "Online Outboards" but it just so happens that I am planning to sell my boat soon. A new 20hp is about $3,600, then you need the battery, throttle control cables, control wire harness and more and more, Trust me it adds up quick, I'm planning to sell my entire boat for around $3,500.

[@donaldedwards7037]

Sorry I just realized that you were talking about the electric trolling motors, If you look up Minkota's web site you should find them, they are also pretty pricey.

[@joeybez5464]

DAM!! did u mickey mouse anything? i would have thrown a mattress on a few swimming pool floating devices and would have said " done! "

[@cfog8538]

What distance did you put between the bottom of the original aluminum frame and the top of the kayak hull?

[@CapnSchep]

That’s a great question because if the transom of the kayak being submerged would cause drag, probably not too much because it’s narrow, but non the less unnecessary drag ..!

[@chadreynolds271]

awesome

[@eric-it4pz]

how much was all of this

[@donaldedwards7037]

I spent approx $4500 and 200 hours building it. If I were to build another one, I'm sure the "Build Time" would be a lot less.

[@eric-it4pz]

Would like some more information more detailed pictures if you don't mind email me

[@donaldedwards7037]

send me your E-mail address and I'll see what I can do.

[@donaldedwards7037]

Did you get the pic's ?

[@ninekoi1]

making 2 step.....5 feet hight

[@Overwatch118]

Get the camera on the boat, Not the ground.

[@markosmeras4096]

Go to a get a loan ,build some boats and start a company

[@eric-it4pz]

@donald

[@eric-it4pz]

On the overall structure and platform steering I'm starting my own