[Mumbles]

Been doing a bit of pontoon work on my PAC 1200. Found a great set of used 14' Maxxons and added those to the frame. I need to put the longer straps on, the red ones are a bit short for my liking and the longer ones will fit better. I have kept the platform between the seats. I'm used to climbing into and out of the rower's hole and having the platform allows for the girls' camp chairs to be quick connected, allows for a small day cooler right up front and as the platform wraps to the sides of the angler seat up front it gives someone a place to step so they are not stepping on the tubes or having to try to step over the tubes. I might be adding a frame extension between the seats to spread out a bit, or putting a larger frame on these tubes, which are great looking, longer and larger in diameter. I might even consider a rear angler's pod, the tubes sure are big enough to accomodate. I'm pretty pleased with it now and can't wait until I've got some tinker time to see what else I can put on this thing. Also pictured is the utility trailer that I found to haul it around so I don't have to put this now heavier boat on my SUV rooftop. The misses has not killed me yet, so I guess I'm okay. Now that Derek Young of Emerging Rivers has showed me a bit of the Yakima and I've been talking about it to the girls they both are looking forward to warm weather and a tour on the new boat.

Comments and suggestions on things?

 

[Glenn Kramer]

Ed,
Your projects looks very well thought out. Fun stuff!
Glenn

 

[veilside180sx]

You'll like the 14 ft tubes. I use the same set myself.

 

[Banff Visitor]

I would really like to see that on the roof of your Pathfinder! :rofl: I actually saw a 14' on top of a 2 dr Subaru one time. Looked like a teetor-totor.
Very nice Ed. Looks great!

 

[Mumbles]

Mike, I bought the utility trailer in the background because I fear my puny ass can't put the now heavier boat atop my roof rack. I used to SUV top the 12' outcast on my old pathfinder in that custom conduit rack. The new pafinder does not so easily accomodate my creation. I've seen photos of Jerry D's 16' boat on his rig, a Bronco I think. Maybe if he reads this he'll give us a photo to see.

 

[uhls1986]

Did you make your lean bar system?

 

[Mumbles]

Did you make your lean bar system?

I did. The factory lean bar was spot welded to the front bottom edge of the frame that holds the standing platform. That design seemed to prove less than ideal as they tended to not tolerate the leaning torsion. Now the PAC frames have the lean bar attached at an angle to the outer frame tubes and I have heard that design is much more burly. I took some EMS conduit that fit inside the main frame tubing, bent it to where I wanted it and then added the cross beams. I fastened the cross beams with PVC connecters that I had on hand, then epoxied them into place. They are pretty stout, but if you are thinking of building one I would get metal EMS connection fittings to start. That way you can literally bolt it together when you need to and disassemble it when you need to pack or transport it. I can take mine out of the frame, it is quick clipped in just like other frame parts, but I can't take the epoxied joints apart.

Not shown is the black plastic rubbermaid tub that I have a strap attachment for use as the stripping basket. I figured it might be nice to have the front angler able to have a line management system. A simple one, but effective.

 

[Joseph Aldridge]

I have a 11' Scadden and I find that the torque exerted on the lean on bar is very high and the aluminum bar is deforming. Your look very beefy. Are those PVC Ts carring any torque? How do you remove the bar?

 

[Mumbles]

I'm sure some torque goes into the PVC. I epoxied them in place, allowed to dry, reapplied, then did it again. They were sitting around in my garage, if I had to do it again I would use commercial grade tent/canopy hardware or EMS designed joints, I just did not have any on hand. The two bent EMS portions slide into the frame tubing then have holes drilled into the EMS at the quick clip pin locations to allow the pins to be inserted to hold the bar assembly. The tubing lenght that slides inside the frame tubing is very long, probably 12-18" of overlap. I figured that would bear the greatest stress, so I made it long. To remove the bar I pull the pin, bottom on each side, then slide the thing out. Since the T's are fixed, that is as far as it breaks down. A design more focused on compact portability would be using better connectors than PVC T's and epoxy.

 

[jeff bandy]

Hole shit Ed. That is one sexy toon.:thumb:
You bringing that to the Hoh?
Hard to tell by the pics. doesn't look like you have a lot of leg room when your rowing.
Do you have a anchor set up?
Jeff

 

[Mumbles]

Thanks Jeff. Yes, beneath that black platform are my foot pegs and anchor rope pulley and cleat. I might be needing longer oars, those used for my single may be too short and too steep an angle for the two seater. I probably will also be getting a bigger anchor, not that I'm planning to anchor in moving water but my 10# pyramid is all I've got right now. I'll be bringing it to the Hoh and following you down like last year, depending of course on what streteches you'll be running. I'm not nearly the oarsman that you are my friend. I figure if Mark is riding up front with you then I'll have my front seat for Rob or anyone else needing a ride. I'm not sure if I'll bring the single for me to use if no one needs or wants to ride up front with me or to loan out, but the two seater will be making the trip on the trailer (which I hope to park in your yard). Do you think we can strap that two person toon atop your DB when I'm hauling it to and from the launches?

 

[jeff bandy]

Not a problem Ed. Should be able to set it right on top. That is if we can lift it. How much does it weigh? What is the beam (toon center to toon center) ?

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Nice work, Ed. I like the little rack you've put on the front of the trailer. I see you got a pop-up as well. You'll be the Ho of the Hoh-Down. I'd make Mark pay dearly for that coveted front seat, or better yet, learn him on the sticks and you can fish.

 

[Jim F.]

Excellent job, Ed and nice-looking 'toon & trailer set-up.

 

[Mumbles]

Jeff, it is about 50" center to center I think. Robert, the former owner of the trailer put that truck bed extender on the front, pretty simple and effective. I got a very good deal on that trailer too. I'm not bringing the tent trailer this time though, I'll be staying in the Bandy mobile mansion and trading lodging for drift boat trailer shuttle services. Great deal for both of us I hope. Thanks Jim, hope you've been well.

 

[937]

Why is everyone afraid to anchor in moving water? I have a couple 20# anchors if you're interested in purchasing a heavier anchor. I'd go with a 30# if it was me cause I'd be anchoring in some of the heavy stuff. That boat won't have problems anchoring in some of the heavier stuff, that is if your anchor system is bult for it.

 

[Mark Walker]

I think the main concern regarding anchoring is for the river bed disturbance from "drag".
Just a guess on my part though.