The swim step and new bait tank are installed and it came out better then I could have imagined. All in all im very happy now with a real bait tank solution for my boat. I really love my boat and how well it suits my needs for the style of fishing that I do but I always felt there was one thing that Trophy could have done a much better job with. The built in tank from the factory is a real joke. From the very first trip I had on it I wasn’t happy with it. The tank constantly over flows and drains into the bilge, not enough water volume for even a half a scoop of dines. On a avg trip by the time I made it to Capa my bait would roll or just have bloody noses.
List of materials
2’x5’ marine board
I paid $200 with $40 next day shipping.
As far as fading and cracking, I find it hard to believe I will have a problem with that. I did some shopping around and found them to have the best prices. Thanks boatdoc for the lead on this material.
102 degree swim step brackets
Due to the angle of the transom I needed to find proper brackets. Searched all over with most prices being over $50 each. Scored with these at $20 each. Lucky for me they were local and I did a will call and saved shipping.
LiveBaitLarry sold me a 32 gallon Kodiak. Another local shop, saved tax and shipping on this also. I bought the kit with everything included.
I put the call out for help. Due to the time frame I wanted to complete this project, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I had help on the shaping from a few neighbors. I set the rest up for a Sat. Jephs, Baitfish, Fishnfoo(Mike) and ODH answered my plea for help. I even had Mike Pruner come over to give some expert advice. Right off the bat the dangerous minds came up with the step was much to large for the boat. Baitfish got to work in reducing the size and reshaping, while the rest of us did our best to do nothing. Baitfish completed the shaping and then began work on the back plates. Jephs between telling us how great of a fisherman he was, drilled the holes for the brackets. Something he had no trouble doing. Everyone else was looking for me to do it. But he grabbed the drill and began drilling random holes all over the transom. Lucky for me they were all in the correct location. Mike helped ODH on the inside of the boat attaching all of the brackets and up it went. By then it was it was time for ODH and Dan to head over to Jackpot for the CC preparty. We completed the plumbing and pressure test the tank to have all the plumbing leak. Easy fix..buy the right connectors. We modified a bit from the original design to put a back flow valve. All in all it came out great. I had plenty of help and I really appreciated it.
I had a carpenter/mechanic, tile worker, plumber, 2 electricians and the original ODH to make this one of the smoothest and nicest projects on my boat.
oh one more thing. Jephs thanks for showing me where my fuel filter is. Your a Putz!. I asked him to remove the filter on my washdown pump and next thing i know there is desiel fuel all over the bilge and dummy has a lite cigarette in his mouth. True comic relief, this bud is for you.
fuel out of the bilge
Forever!)
Linear Mode
