Making A Skinny Water Skiff out of a Jon Boat

[@TrailChaser]

Top speed by myself is 20mph. With a buddy it's as low as 15mph, but usually about 17mph. The float pods were purchased from BeaverTail, the jack plate is a Micro Jacker from T-H Marine. The deck foam is EVA foam I bought on amazon. Here's a video my buddy Nick(RX Angler) put on his channel featuring the jonskiff... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5DHZWyDp96XiMU

[@robw7205]

I like that tiller extension, how's it working out?

[@dustyfoster9272]

I know he wants a 15 or a 20hp motor! Lol

[@TrailChaser]

@@robw7205 it's working good, but it's a little flimsy. It's made for trolling motors.

[@standbackstandby200]

Love the boat! What size pods did you get? Small or medium?

[@TrailChaser]

@@standbackstandby200 I got the small ones.

[@pauleskridge7209]

Upon the first week of owning my first aluminum bass/jon boat and looking for ways to redo my new boat. This is hands down the best video I've come across minus a video made from Anthony Jones or tiny boat nation. It's great to see someone figure out how to do everything for themselves in a professional way. I definitely learned some things as a first time boat owner from your vid. Keep up the good work man.

[@TrailChaser]

@pauleskridge7209 thank you. Good luck with your new boat.

[@roymyers8575]

Jon boats are awesome!!! That front deck is a fly anglers dream!!!

[@P0intnHold]

This video is what I've been looking for. I just picked up a 17ft aluminum Monarch bass boat with a rotted deck and I've been searching ideas to restore it. Got several great ideas from your build. Loved your attention to detail and your craftmanship. Thank you for posting.

[@TrailChaser]

Thank you!

[@gcr0003]

Very impressive. Your attention to detail is uncanny. Everything you’ve done looks so clean and professional. Thanks for sharing.

[@kennylove188]

You've built yourself a slick little rig, David. You should have NO trouble getting up in the kayak-skinny water where the Red like to hunt. And, having that motor will open up access to huge areas further from your launch ramp. REALLY like your design, too; clean and light. Tight Lines !!!

[@MTZFishing]

So far it's looking very nice the cleanest John boat I've seen so far

[@fishingwithrobgarza6482]

That is what I'm talking about right here 👏 ... you got me thinking really hard about starting me a build.I can't wait to see the polling platform.

[@BasementAthletics]

I want to build something similar for freshwater ponds lakes and rivers, this is almost what I imagine

[@ncwarrior62]

Great job on the skiff! Nothing more satisfying than a project you design and build yourself!

[@jonathangiles4076]

I've watched a lot of videos on jon boat to bass boat and I love the way you done that boat

[@trinacria1956]

Got that same winch on my roof rack to help get my Hobie up if I get too tired out , gettig old man! Limp Hobie! Wish had room for a trailer, nice job! Saw video you and Mr Nick

[@jzyjack]

Great job! You thought it out pretty good and I'm really impressed at how it all came together. You really aren't lacking anything that you would get on a big money tactical skiff. Now you need one or 2 of those power pole micros.

[@AnyoneReallyCare]

Impressed by the build and the to the point video! Got nothing to add that hasn't already been said!

[@gregshogan5099]

I did almost the same thing last winter with a 1436 alumacraft. Garman stryker for GPS, micro power pole, transom mounted trolling motor in the same location as yours, but I only ate 6 hp Merc. I also installed what looks like the same bilge pump and I can tell you it’s saved us a week ago as the waves were crashing over the boat as the wind picked up out of nowhere. In calmer water and winds 12 mile an hour or less works great.

[@FISHANE84]

NICE BOAT AND BUILD! This is what KZbin is all about! THanks for making this sorry Im just now watching.

[@great0789]

Thank You. I have a 1436 and will be doing something very similar.

[@chrismacdonald3568]

David, you and I fish the same waters. Always enjoyed your videos. This was an amazing build. Great job. Hope to see you out there someday.

[@eastcoastfowler2501]

Best build I have seen by far, nice work

[@nj4x4fever2]

Wow, that’s a real nice job you did and nice scoring the Railblaza accessories. Tight Lines.

[@aliaskong1723]

Nice, I'm trying to find some cheap aluminum for mine. I know, good luck.

[@glennlandry7714]

Man you're giving me ideas on my old Fisher Marine aluminum boat. Motor needs a little work but in due time. Great video.

[@artflores5798]

Very nice design! I would love a boat like that.

[@mlangfordoutdoor]

So yeah first one I seen with deck flush with the sides hell yeah and that red fish looked like one from La. I don't see that shade of color to often in Surfside Tx. Nice job on the boat and the float pods are perfect

[@von111092]

This has inspired me to return to my build. Thank you

[@waltere.mellin3537]

What an awesome build. Great job, I love how you got it laid out

[@dundeeecroc]

Beautiful piece of WORK!!

[@jakemcnutt7712]

Man you did a great job on that sucker. Sweet rig my brotha!!!🤙🏽👌🏽

[@mechanic350]

bro, you spend a pretty penny on that setup. it looks great. I have them same boat, but I won't be getting that fancy. You definitely have DEEP POCKETS (lol)

[@loganwelch6775]

Dude this thing is awesome. I’ve been looking into get my first jon boat and pimping it out and this video gave me lots of ideas. Subscribed to you because you’re very to the point and entertaining, love it.

[@allenmcclain2745]

Great rig. Really well done.

[@primsolllineguy8689]

Simply Fantastic job! I am a boat builder and you sir have done a wonderful job! Inovation as well as application. Good for you! I build narrow beam boats because they serve me better in many ways. Initiall stability is so much better. get into 6" of water rocks! Great job keep on improving each and every day, (key to success) Ira

[@TrailChaser]

Thank you!

[@CoastalBendFishNinja]

Wow! Impeccable work...would love to own a boat like that. Wish I was a little bit more handy and could pull off this type of restoration. You have given me enough ideas and inspiration, maybe when I retire I will make it happen with all the learning curve errors and extra time it will take haha. Cheers!

[@driftless1870]

Phenomenal job! Love what you have built here.

[@scoutkyle]

Great build. Very well thought out.

[@TrailChaser]

Thanks

[@sirwilliam7988]

I give ALL the credit to your wife. She is a smart lady. No need to spend 60 grand on a boat when obviously, your little boat catches the same kind of fish. Nice build my friend.

[@gfkiscool618]

Great job. Killer build.

[@filibertogarcia8758]

I came here from RX angler video. This is a very impressive build. You got some skill.

[@TrailChaser]

Thank you.

[@RXAngler]

Very cool little boat indeed. That thing got skinny.

[@NastyNate-fn6od]

Can y’all build this set up on my john boat ?

[@motomax13]

Just waiting to see what color you decide on the exterior paint! Gotta do a pretty grey to go with the blue!

[@kevin86670]

That’s sick! Love it! CAnt wait for the videos now

[@duwaynehoun8153]

You need a longer trailer with a nice wrap to match the boat. Love the build looks amazing ps alittle jelly

[@mrbrown5260]

Nice build man thats really a nice set up

[@mikekmalick]

Nice work! Nice boat but a little too narrow for my taste. I will have to look UP brazing! Thanks for sharing your work! This gives me ideas.

[@davei7429]

That is a sweet build man!

[@Motorcyclewindtherapy]

Good gracious that's a heck of a boat build! Congrats. 👊 I have a 12W Tracker topper with a 5hp Merc. Got a few plans...your video really pushes my plans to a few places I had not considered. Subbed to watch some more.

[@TrailChaser]

Thanks, I've done a lot of fishing off it since this video and I'm living it more with every trip. Good luck on your build!

[@garyprice6651]

Awesome job. Looks great

[@rampedro102]

That’s awesome man! I have a 14ft flat bottom that I want to do this to. Without the jackplate I can float in pretty skinny water. Can’t imagine with the jackplate as well. Love the build 👍🏽

[@txrockerusa1st862]

Nice job. Fish on..!

[@edwardbusby9402]

Looks good go catch me some fish. Glad you are back on youtube

[@markohpolo4103]

Amazing work brother!!

[@earlwayne5472]

Exceptional work!

[@carstx]

Nice build. Thanks for sharing.

[@nmoran2046]

I get a bit of gator glide on the bottom of that you’re all set Well done man that thing looks great

[@htx-polestar5377]

Very cool David!!!! Very Cool!

[@GearedForThis]

Awesome build! Proves you don't need a $100k bay boat to catch fish.

[@TrailChaser]

So true, I've got around 5K total in this boat. Couldn't be happier! I've had bigger, faster, expensive boats...this one's by far my favorite. My last boat was a shoalwater with a 90hp and jack plate with a tunnel hull. I can't even count the amount of schools of reds I've seen from that boat that I could get to. In this boat they would have been in trouble. 😎

[@7citiesfishing]

Amen

[@SkunkMonkey991]

True! I went from a side console 17 ft with a 30 hp to a 22ft Pathfinder Tournament and could not go a quarter of the places I could in my aluminum boat. I am back in a 16 ft aluminum boat now and enjoying fishing again. Don't get me wrong, the pathfinder was an awesome boat but for SWFL flats fishing it didn't cut it.

[@cornpop7176]

As someone who's owned both. You cant beat the low maintenance of an aluminum tiller driven jon boat either

[@kumate45]

@@TrailChaser Nice rig! Curiouse do you think you can float and run as skinny as your shoalwater? I grew up in a 1448. Alumacraft craft with a 25 Merc. Is this a 1442 and riveted not welded? Thanks in advance

[@ChefAlexSocci]

This is awesome, well done!

[@rickz46]

Great build! Post the fish catching videos ASAP!

[@jacksonhooton2354]

The goat is back!

[@Rockinrobbyboy]

Excellent fishing machinery

[@BucktailBilly]

This is amazing dude seriously

[@FishiganMilligan]

That’s awesome! My buddy has the 1648 and we kill the bay on it.

[@cdp50359]

Be sure to get the trailer bunks underneath the transom. If you don't, you'll eventually crack the aluminum in the bottom underneath the transom

[@TrailChaser]

Yes sir, I slid it up enough that now it's sitting on the transom weld. 👍

[@sxezaki]

Great build!

[@jerry-381]

Nice work! I'd recommend raising those trailer lights up to your guide posts so they're out of the water then run a solid wire (I use extension cord) with no splices from the lights up to the front of the trailer and make the splices in a plastic junction box that's water tight. You'll never have issues with lights again.

[@mikevega541]

Let go get it brother great time💪

[@Victorkayak]

Man that’s awesome and the boat looks really really different after putting all the together congrats I’m still stuck at the house working on my elbow hopefully I do the trip to Texas and do some fishing soon 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@skymaster9484]

I'm late seeing this build of yours and have to tell you I'm really impressed by your work what a beautiful boat.

[@CostaAzulFishingDanielGarza]

Thank is a sweet ride.. congratulations

[@CJ-sq3di]

Love this build, I’m looking to do somthing similar with a 16 foot v hull. It’s so damn hard to find a hull though.

[@Huy0035]

Awesome work

[@InnovateParkour]

thanks for the ideas!

[@saxet9049]

Damn dude, that really looks nice.

[@nswiss19751]

You do amazing work, Everything about this video is great!

[@johnvasquez8885]

Nice I love my job boat Works good in skinny water just got a trolling motor on mine game changer

[@Zach-K7FC]

Very cool video. Makes me want a john boat. What advantage doe the float pods give you?

[@TrailChaser]

Thank you, They offset the weight of the motor and gas tank. Very important of you want to get in really skinny water without dragging ass.

[@jatinyarbrough6116]

That’s awesome I got the same boat and I was curious where you got your float pods?

[@southernslipping4225]

Boat looks killer

[@outcastfisherman6991]

How does the trolling motor work, trying to get one used but all I can find is transom mounted, did you have to modify anything on it besides the mounting bracket?

[@jeremyjulienne160]

Awesome build, what part of Texas are you in,

[@randystevenson1264]

Great build turn out great got ? Where u get jacl plate at and what size motor u running

[@pork_chop13]

Could you do this as a bass fishing Jon boat? I like the rear floats. And the ability to get up close.

[@TiggsTailsFishing]

Wow! Super sweet boat. Amazing what u did with that boat. Congrats man! Looking to get a skimmer skiff but now u got me thinking.

[@philchigges2955]

May want to relocate extinguisher to front of bench since if you have a fire it will most likely be behind the rear bench and you might not could grab it if there was fire back there.

[@TrailChaser]

Good point, but that for extinguisher is just for legal purposes. If the boat catches fire, I'll be swimming. I'm not playing with fire. It's not worth it and a new boat will be cheaper than the burn unit fees.

[@philchigges2955]

@@TrailChaser that's right buddy.mee too on my boat.ha ha .

[@samuelshaver4555]

Very nice build.

[@anthonymurphy1624]

Wish you do a video of you installing float pods :)

[@TrailChaser]

In a nutshell... They have 1/8in thick 1.5x1.5in angle aluminum at the top to make the proper gap.(the gap is because the bottom back of the pods should be raised 0.5in and not sitting flat) I lined everything up and drilled the holes being sure the dry fit a rivet in each hole to hold the place and ensure that all the holes lined up for final installation.(just drill them out the riveting without popping it yet) After all the holes where ready I caulked 5200 marine epoxy all over the areas that make contact. After caulking I put all the rivets back in the holes and start popping them making sure they're pulling everything together real tight. I went back over all the edges with caulk(5200) to make them sealed and look clean. I'm not 100% satisfied with the install. I hope they stand the test of time, but honestly I'll probably have them welded on at some point in the future.

[@reyesrolando1964]

Great video man

[@WVhillDweller]

What happened to the updates? Would have liked to see more of this build. It looks great.

[@dustinguilbeaux]

Do you have or think you need electric tilt and trim for this type of setup?

[@TrailChaser]

I don't have electric tilt/trim and it's working fine without it. Only thing I wish it had is electric start, but it's not too bad pull starting.

[@BoringFisherman]

I like everything ypu got going on here. Im picking up a 14' alumacraft in November of this year, i may copy some of your ideas here. What size and brand pods are those. They look perfect

[@TrailChaser]

Thanks. They're beaver tail pods size small

[@BoringFisherman]

@@TrailChaser I have been looking at those. How wide is your floor? The website leads me to believe those will not leave enough space for my outboard on the 1436 I'm picking up

[@TrailChaser]

@@BoringFisherman mine is also a 1436, but the jack plate sets the motor back about 6in from the transom so it clears the pods turning full left/right.

[@BoringFisherman]

@@TrailChaser that's awesome. I have a motor, is a 2021 Honda 15 with power tilt and electric start, so I want the extra floatation. It's pretty narrow but it has the power-thrust lower unit. I'm currently planning to use a fixedjack plate. However, I have forever to set the boat up. So that will help. I appreciate your time and thanks for replying to me.

[@laddcampbell2833]

You riveted your float pods to the transom? No welds?

[@justinschiffman2864]

That thing is legit!! How much would you say the entire project cost?

[@TrailChaser]

Thanks! I'd say somewhere in the 5K range, but I got the boat motor trailer package for a steal.

[@ncsandman8468]

Very nice build!! And great video, just looking at it I assume it’s a 1436, if so did the float pods add more stability? I have a sea nymph and the stability is a concern if I add a casting deck , mine is 1436.

[@mikeedenfield4076]

Awesome job

[@Fl.k1dd06]

Paint it black or white I jus finished the paint my my 14footer white inside black on the outside my sea deck is on ordered also some other goodies but I luv the build

[@Ajstx09]

What size is your boat? I just got a 1540 Alumacraft and I want to add the beaver tail pods but I’m worried they’d interfere with turning the motor cause my bottom of the boat is 40”. Planning on going with a 15-20hp mercury.

[@michaelritz3561]

Could do a more detailed walk through of how you did the design/build for us novices who might like to do our own diy build?

[@dylangeorg9333]

Dude you did a great job! Just finished a jon boat build myself, curious how you mounted your wooden subfloor to the bottom of your boat. Mine rattles when I hit choppy water, I just put one inch insulation closed cell foam board under the plywood and screwed it down to the “ribs” of the jon boat.

[@sedali5882]

What a amazing job man! I’m already giving up my solo to do this! What size outboard you using? What about the deep cycle battery?

[@Connorharris_229]

What type of float pods are those. Are they the beaver tail float pods.what size?

[@7citiesfishing]

Followed the build all the way threw Instagram, sick rig bud!