Finally.....Got it uncovered! AND ON THE WATER!!!

Troy Fields

Troy Fields

Well-known member
I bought this back in January and it's been covered up by tarps and snow since. Got it dug out and uncovered the other day so that I could really see what I bought. It has a 50hp four stroke Mercury on it with a 5hp kicker. The engines are being checked out currently and then off to the boat ramp to see how it handles. It already has an aluminum floor and I'll be having a hard-sided blind made for it for sea-duckin'.

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Lenght is 18'6"
Width is 7'4"

It's called a Bailey Bridge boat (among other names). They were used by the military to make portable floating bridges with for river crossings. You would take two boats and secure them stern to stern, then space each set of boats about 20' apart in the river and anchor them in place. Than lay planking over the gunnels and in short you have a make shift floating bridge over the river to drive your equipment over.
 
Hi Kevin,

Dry weight is listed just under 700lbs, that would be just the hull as they don't come with anything. Not sure of the rating as they aren't really listed as a boat and don't have USCG rating. Fortunatelly in Maine it's not a big deal to register it. The original registration which was in MA. the owner had someone from the DMR come look at it and it was registered as a homemade boat. I've seen these boats with motors as big as 115hp. If I decide to repower, 75-90 would probably be my preference. The transoms are 90 degrees so some type of adjustment must be done to get a 12 degree angle before mounting the motor, I guess the rating would be as good as the person the doing the welding, LOL.

Hope that helps. The boat is incredibly rugged. I saw one years ago on a local river and didn't buy it when I had the chance, so when I found this one I figured I would see what it could do. It's set-up just about how I want it as it was owned by another duck hunter who is training dogs full-time now.
 
Thanks Troy, I have seen them before. A local contractor uses one as a barge for hauling material. He runs a 50 honda 4 stroke on his. I like the previous owners modifications and would love to have one but that would mean selling one of my boats. what are your plans for a hard blind?
 
Probably will be along the lines of a Bankes or Duckwater design but not fabric. Going to make one from cardboard first to get angles and height worked out. A good friend is a fabricator and made the blind on my Alaskan so I will check to see if that is adaptable or if starting from scratch is best. The sides on my Alaskan are 1/4' luan and work great but thinking aluminum sheet goods for this one as well as having a hatch door on the bow deck to make loading/unloading easier.

Any other ideas or pictures are welcomed and always appreciated.
 
Troy, I have one of these also that will be off to the fabricator in 2 weeks to have done basically what you have other than the box down the middle. I have an 06 honda 4 stroke on mine and will be picking up the outboard wedges I bought from west marine tomorrow. All kinds of possibilities with these boats though I am slightly concerned about the ride I will get (lake erie). I was sold on the boat when I stood on the bow with my 280 lb frame and the thing didn't budge. Very wide and stable!
 
Wow Troy you weren't kidding about SOLID...........shouldn't be bad even if you bump a rock ............but I would not want to get that puppy stuck at low tide !
sarge
 
I hear you about the ride Joe. Mine will considerable time on the ocean sea duckin'. Will look forward to seeing your photos. How big is you motor? The box in the middle did take a little getting use to but it's only a matter of few screws to remove it should I want, but it does provide nice storage and also a place for people to sit while underway and hunting.

Dick, we'll have to see how the eiders like it as soon as I get it back from the shop. I'll be in touch.
 
I got a great deal on a honda 50. Should be out and floating in about a month. You are right about the box definately will need storage
 
Troy-

Neat looking boat....look forward to seeing more pictures. But good god there are a lot of rivets in that boat....I would not want to rerivet that sucker

Neat though

Dani
 
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