Boat rigging

[Fisher Dave]

Lights(not for navigation).. the amber side marker lights for trailers work very well as interior lights. They will not affect your night vision that much, and really help for the boat interior. For a brighter light(baiting hooks, dealing with fish in boat, etc) 12V flourescent lights work well.. they dont draw much juice, and shed a lot of light. A head lamp sure comes in handy.

One alternative you have for flooring is to put aluminum down for a floor vs plywood, or thin marine plywood over aluminum.. still light weight, very strong, and carpet friendly.

Trolling motors in most cases are not a must.. but they sure are handy. They work well for repositioning the boat quietly, getting your boat on and off shore.. or any shallows you dont want to risk beating up your prop.

The *extra's* you need are the ones that will make you feel most comfortable in your boat... dont forget some good rod holders to suit your fishing situations... and a good spot light or 2.

[happy hooker]

I have a 14' jon boat with 10 hp merc 4 stroke. I would like to get some opinions on rigging this boat for nighttime catfishing. I use this boat 99% of the time on the Miss between Elk River and Monti. What kind of lights(not navigation)? Do those bow mounted rotating spot lights work good? How about flooring that doesn't way a ton? My boat has a flat bottom with exposed ribs I could screw something to. I think plywood would add a lot of weight. Electronics? I usually mount my vex in it. Does anyone use marine band radios in this area? I haven't put a trolling motor on this boat before, do you use one?

I have fished this area all my life. I have had great sucsess catfishing from shore, but I would like to start to use my boat at night. You can get to so few spots from shore, using a boat at night would open the whole river to me.

Thanks, Happy

[DARK30]

Hey Dave, Hows it goin? Ready for a clicker yet?

Happy, I got a 14' also with an old 20 on it. I mounted fog lights on a wood frame that sits on the front deck. I can move it around to point inside or off the bow for running. I don't run fast (ever) on the river so it works great for me.

I've got plywood for a floor and with the indoor/outdoor carpet, it makes things right comfy! You don't need 3/4" flooring...I think mine is like 3/8 or 1/2.

Another thing you might want is a good seat thats big enough to kick back a little in! I like to be somewhat comfortable out there at night.

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[EBass]

This must be the 14' jon boat club thread. I have a Lowe 14' Big Jon with 25H merc.

Any ways, I have a platform on the front with a 50AT trolling minnkota. But when I'm catfishing I don't really use it. Sometimes though like Nav said.

For light I use my head lamp and I have a hand held spot light, oh there is one boat light built in to, but I use my head lamp a lot.

I really need to get a couple of rod holders and even some cup holders. OK GPS, another depth finder, new trolling motor battery, River Pro....Ok I'll stop blabbing.

[happy hooker]

Thanks for all the great info, keep it coming.

Tahks, Happy

[Wiskers]

For interrior lights I use a battery jumper pack that you can take in and out of the boat easy.. go to a Truck, "semi" parts place and get them 12v floresent lights that just plug in the cig lighter they work great.

Can't wait to come down and tear up the water with ya Dark... Flashman and I will be looking for ya..

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[DARK30]

That can be arranged! Hopefully we'll have a smooth river season and use lots of film!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Aquaman01]

I'm re-rigging my 14' standard-hull for the upper Missy, too. I'm gonna screw 3/8" plywood to the floor ribs and shoot Great Stuff into the cavities. A big priority for me is gonna be to move the gas tank up front to help lighten the aft load. A deck over the tank deck will be for anchor winch, a couple of foglights & a battery box. If I put on a trolling motor it's gonna be a stern mount.

I like the idea of trailer lights for general interior illumination.

Think Spring,
Rob

[Dennis Steele]

I have found that its better to have your lights mounted as far forward on the bow as possible to reduce any light from shining on your bow.The reflection of the lights (even on olive drab john boat) on the boat will diminish you night vision.It doesn't so much if all you are lighting up is the water in front of you.Ihave been using your standard off road lights that you can get at the auto parts store.Two of them light up enough river for me to run my River Pro at about 35mph at night.I think they are rated at 55 watts a peice.I wouldn't suggest fog lights if you plan on running on plane or at any speed.They are not designed to throw a long beam of light.They are however probably very nice for those foggy nights when I am peering through the pea soup at a crawl!
So in my opinion mounting lights high is a bad thing.(You will get some light directed in the boat if you do)Mount them directly to the most forward part of the bow if possible.
If you raise the prop above the bottom of the boat it will create a backward prop wash and may reduce your ability to move forward.I have seen this using the kicker mounts on larger boats.One thing to consider is a jack plate.It only sets the motor back a few inches and the height can be adjusted by a bolt that raises the motor.This way you do not have to rely on placing the motor at the notch height on the kicker mounts.I think the price is comparable.

[happy hooker]

Thanks for all the great info. I have a couple more questions. Does anyone use those motor mounts for kicker motors on their boats? The mounts I've seen have the ability of lifting and lowering the motor 6 to 12". I thought I could mount these mounts on the transom where the motor would usually go and I would be able to raise and lower the motor for existing water depths. Also is it better to mount lights used for running on the edge of the boat or raise them up some? I'm thinking lights mounted higher up will eliminate glare and make it easier to see.

Thanks, Happy

[happy hooker]

Oh yeah, one more thing. I like the idea of using 3/8 plywood for flooring and spraying great stuff between the ribs. Do you leave the middle rib clear for drainage?

Thanks again, Happy

[Wiskers]

I use tractor flood lights for drive lights on my RP. As far forward as I can get them and down towards the waters surface.. that way they light up anything that may be sticking out of the water infront of you.. The river water really absorbs the light so you wont see much in front of you, it will seem, but the shores and snags will show up quite well.. I got away from beem lights and went to floods so I can light up more area and not have to keep adjusting the lights...

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[This message has been edited by Wiskers Guiding Service (edited 02-18-2004).]

[MNRiverRat]

I run two tractor floods and two trator style spot lights on the bow, gives nice light both out front and out the sides. I also have a two million spot in the boat, an a 12v blacklight in side. Have to have a head lamp, nothing is nicer when you need the light where you are looking. I'm going to re route the gas tank and one deep cycle battery to the bow this year. I have too much weight aft when two people are in the boat. I put in 6 rod holders last year, great investment...

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"The Boat"
16' monarch flat jon 40hrs johnson