Let's make this Plastic Boat Useable | Sun Dolphin American 12 | Quest Sportsman 12

[@pawtrax]

1. Drill benches at base, insert and seal 1 inch pvc for water drainage to rear. 2. Fill in between the ribs to save your bare feet and to aid drainage. 3. Stay minimal.

[@terryharvey1109]

Do you think sealing around the edges with silicone will help keep the water out the hull?

[@pawtrax]

@@terryharvey1109 I’m sure it would help but, as a carpenter I know all silicon caulk fails sooner or later. It is not a one time fix and forget process.

[@mattdg1981]

​​@@pawtrax I agree. As a carpenter myself I would recommend quad osi, lexel, or sikaflex. There is also this stuff called through the roof that stick to everything. Don't know if it weakens plastic. It does a number on bitumen though.

[@Cavanpikefishing]

Brilliant this ,was waiting on a video on this, I think keep it simple just got one of these in Ireland a few months back and I love it but need to do stuff to it and have lots of people asking about it all so as there's not many here ,thanks lads for the video 🎣👍

[@TinyBoatNation]

Better them than me🎉

[@AnthonyEates]

I have the Dicks Sporting Goods version of this boat - Quest Sportsman. Bought it last year for $650. I reinforced the benches with wood and installed swivel seats, which are pretty comfortable and easily changed. I added rod holders in the back because I found the molded ones to be useless. I use only a 45 pound thrust Minnkota on the transom.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Any pictures?

[@AnthonyEates]

@@TBNationOutdoors yes, but can’t figure out how to insert a photo here. Hold on…

[@gillgetter3004]

Simple weekend warrior!! I’ve been looking at one of those. I hate the ribbed floor though, but that could keep your feet dry if ya had a little water over freeboard

[@caseyjones9619]

I would imagine the ribs on the floor are for adding structural strength to the vinyl.

[@locker1325]

100% yes

[@dejavudejavu8946]

Super good product.!! 👌

[@jessebob903]

Keep it simple 🤙🏼

[@great0789]

Weekend Warrior. Simple and sweet/functional.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Couldn't agree more!

[@li2us]

A clean garage is the sign of a sick mind!

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Yeah we are pretty sick minded lol

[@BassBrothersFishingDMV]

Lol Go Mike Lopez on that thing 😂

[@fireantfishing]

haha

[@johndeere1174]

Glad I found you're video. I bought one of these boats about eight years ago, got a good deal on it, and been using it every fishing season since, on small lakes and rivers. There are a few things that I like about the boat , and things that I do not like What I like 1 it's tough and durable 2 Inexpensive 3 moves right along with a 4 or 5 HP outboard 4 In shallow water , its easy to pole , if water is to shallow for outboard 5 I like that it has places for oarlocks, which is good because I always carry oars, in case the outboard won't start What I don't like I the seats are uncomfortable, even with a foam cushion, especially if your out on the water for a long, time , I want to install a swivel seat with a backrest. 2 whoever designed the drain system is an idiot, there is no way for water to drain from the front and middle cockpits to the rear cockpit, where it can drain out of the drain hole. I drilled holes, in the bottom of the seats, and put in a PVC pipe for water to drain from front to back. I do not like the ribs on the floor, they probably make the boat stronger, but when they get wet , they are slippery, and they hold water between them,. If you want an inexpensive boat that can be made more useful and comfortable, with a few modifications, I guess its not bad

[@danielgabriel5539]

Its a cool little pond boat

[@TBNationOutdoors]

It seems to be very popular. Looking forward to working with it more

[@billwiley7216]

The main thing that stops me from purchasing one of these is in the event of being caught out in rain for instance the water cannot drain to the back from the front sections. I learned decades ago that even on a little 12ft johnboat to mount a cheap bilge pump in the back to pump out water if need be as bailing with a cup can get old quick. I also think that keeping one of these simple and light is one of the advantages to this type of boat.

[@adamsaracina8435]

Iv bought kayak mounting rails to put rod holders and depth finder for

[@TBNationOutdoors]

That’s a good idea

[@HughButler-lb6zs]

Thanks for the info. Brilliant Idea.

[@clareseibert1811]

Is there one out there that holds more weight?

[@TBNationOutdoors]

They are coming soon

[@rtfabian]

The channels are their to give the floor some stiffness.

[@mathewkirk241]

Just some info on these the latest year does not have wood under the benches it's PVC board now it also holds 900lbs no problem I beefed up the transom with diamond plate and run a 9.9 on it with little to no flex you can do a lot with these boats

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Thank you

[@harleyiron1977]

Go all out on this I’m interested in making a mini bass boat for my dads lakes

[@mattaneshansley5349]

This thing would be insane if you made custom curved hatches to match the curves already in the boat! I've never seen anyone do a curved hatch.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

🤔

[@TheSoliz1782]

I'm looking for a bed liner coating for bottom of my sun dolphin, I've had mine for about 10 years but the bottom is getting thin now from all the years of dragging it and usage. Any ideas would help and be appreciated! Thanks!

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Unfortunately no coating will stick to plastic like that, Bedliner and similar will peel off eventually

[@koreywilliams4570]

Is that inside top piece removable? That might make it easier to cut out and add new fiberglass. I'd like to remove those seats and that crappy grooving on the floor to make room for some aluminum bracing.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

We are finalizing the kit, that will make the floors flat and add some decks onto it as well.

[@edwinthesparky5859]

You should do the the foot control 50 thrust trolling motor mini kota

[@TBNationOutdoors]

I think we are going to make a mount for bow mount trolling motors.

[@HaydenStewart-tt3il]

Hand tiller their not used as much on the boat builds makes the boat build more of its own.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Sounds good, we will see what we can do

[@gregcrabb3497]

Yeah I think I'll just look for an old aluminum boat and clean it up. Was considering that one but...I think it will be a pain for me to deal with.

[@benjaminmarcoux3073]

I would love a weekend warrior kit I’ve got one and I would love to make it a tiny bass boat that’s cost friendly

[@jenniferstewarts4851]

here's the thing, these are cheep, entry level boats. They are sold in Canada and the USA. in Canada they are avail at Candian tire for 1099 or about 800 USD. Generally its about the same as walmarts Pelican john boat. you know what might be fun.. if you could do it "light enough" with all those channels and such, build a slide in slide out "cuddy cabin" 6'5" cabin, mount batteries and such in a drop in point, add a solar panel or 2 to the roof, once plugged in and tied down, you could just plug in an electric motor to it for power, using the cabins batteies and solar.. plus powering internal lights, an inteneral little fan... now you have an optional little camping boat where you can draw up on little islands or riverbanks and sleep there overnight, camping. great for a single person, teen or adult...

[@billmartin3198]

Dude! YES!!

[@jenniferstewarts4851]

@@billmartin3198 little bimini on the back, electric motor + a little 9 hp gas motor backup. pull down sides on the bimini, porta potty. use a single burner cook stove to do meals. then sleep in the cuddy. Could go out for days like that.

[@stompylee]

My brain says max out, but that’s not what I would buy this boat for. Ryan knows I usually takes things a bit extreme, but this is a great hull for a dad/son to build and go out fishing and not kill the bank. Simple is my call.

[@fireantfishing]

Completely agree

[@HaydenStewart-tt3il]

Whats up TBN! :)

[@TBNationOutdoors]

sup wasup

[@floydandcarlahampton2846]

I added a pvc pipe under benchs to let water drain all the way to back

[@fireantfishing]

not a bad idea

[@darlenedaveable]

Do you have pics, just bought 1, thinking of doing

[@appalachiaanglerMD]

Didn't see this one coming. Damn

[@ElChileno420]

Any update on this been waiting for a few months

[@TBNationOutdoors]

just posted another video last night, the flooring kit is going on pre-sale tonight

[@chrisroberts3963]

Complete gut!

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Idk if this mold is strong enough to do that, but I agree. It could use a complete gut

[@jmaze153]

Simple but foot control motor and I also wanna see wheels on the back so we can just throw in the bed of the truck and go

[@fireantfishing]

What if I said the hand tiller wasn't that bad to operate....?

[@CullMeDave]

Simple

[@fireantfishing]

10-4

[@billnelson9108]

I have an older sundolphin with a soft transom. Anyone ever replace the wood in one of these?

[@TBNationOutdoors]

It would be a nighmare, you would need to separate the halfs, and staple it all back together

[@Daddywarbucks556]

Full send it! Mike Lopez it haha Make a better boat than the pond prowler series.

[@fireantfishing]

haha oh man. Idk....

[@lukeprince7690]

I'd say go somewhere in the middle kind of long. Carolina lines are like a h***'s Bay. Redfish and speckled trout backwater boat. Simple but looks incredible when you pull up the dock at the bar after fishing

[@fireantfishing]

I like it

[@Duzign24]

When’s the next video just got one and the stability is just not there need some info on platforms or something

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Already uploaded

[@Carl_Black]

Basic front casting deck with storage. I'm not trying to spend 5k on this plastic tub.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Perfect, thank you! I agree

[@kxrobbie]

Foot pedal on front casting platform

[@mkshffr4936]

My interest is for a row boat but those oar lock mounts look pretty flimsy.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Yeah, I don’t think those would be very helpful

[@BenDover-vx2fw]

I have one of these and oars to fine. It’s my backup if my battery dies on a bigger lake . I use a 35 foot pound motor and it moves right along with two grown men . Great boat for small inland lakes on flat water.

[@davidfrueauff6933]

Love firearm projects!

[@MrKingRaffy]

Simple warrior

[@chrisfleming8684]

Keep it inexpensive and simple. Lighting, storage, drainage, front and back casting decks.

[@fireantfishing]

10-4, I think this is majority vote

[@koreywilliams4570]

Might get one of these, 700 bucks.

[@TBNationOutdoors]

They aint bad for the price.

[@PatrickFordyce-b7c]

Keep it simple and light weight so it’s more efficient

[@bertsanford9156]

There's no point in buying a budget boat and going full boar on it. Keep it a simple weekend warrior.

[@fireantfishing]

very true

[@garymichael2199]

Keep it simple

[@mobiussquadron]

$599 at dicks. I had to go almost 70 miles to one that had it in stock but 100 bucks is 100 bucks

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Yeah it is

[@hunterhogan9326]

it’s on sale for $599 now. 😂

[@TBNationOutdoors]

Well dang

[@jlbrokaw140]

Got mine for 300 father's day weekend

[@patrickcostello62]

Middle between basic and Mike L. Get rid of those grooves on the floor horrible

[@fireantfishing]

they suck

[@Eric-pl1re]

That’s an old Kenyan Advantage Truck. I know that thing doesn’t run😂

[@TheLownslo]

Do yourself a favor. Nothing against the boat though put plumbers tape on both your plugs. Love my sundolphin

[@BURNETTWEALTHGROUP]

For such a small boat I’d like to see it kiss= keep it simple stupid 😊

[@TBNationOutdoors]

WE like simple!