Layout cradle

Shawn Hollis

Shawn Hollis

Active member
We got an MLB supermag for layout hunting here on our T.V.A. lakes in North Alabama, and being "newbies" to layout hunting I did some research into ways of transporting the mlb. It seemed like most folks used a cradle that rested on the gunnels, so after a test run with a mocked up cradle we decided to make one that could be broken down during the hunt. Here is what we came up with.

Five pieces of the cradle


Cradle assembled


Layout boat across the gunnels while on the water


In highway mode


The tender is Brian Story's 18 ft. mod v. with a 50 hp. tohatsu. The pictures are a little distorted, but there is plenty of room with the layout on the gunnels. Time will tell how well this system works for us.
 
I think it will work out for you. The only thing I don't like about that system is the board closest to you crossing the gunwales is blocking your path. Are you able to move the whole cradle closer to the bow?

I assume after you deploy the boat, then you'll remove the cradle?

The key to the tender is try to preserve as much space as possible.

Now Brian can start the process of convincing his wife that ya'll need a bigger tender!!!!!!!

Very best,
Steve
 
Steve,
That is the idea, to take it completely apart after we deploy the boat. That gets out of our way. Our "test" cradle was more forward, but we decided to move this towards the stern to give more room on the front deck. There will one guy on the front deck when we pull the layout in. The pictures are distorted but with decoys under the layout there is plenty of room between the mlb and the stern.
 
Steve,
After our test run, I can see where a jet prop would come in handy! And of course, I could ALWAYS use a bigger boat!!

Brian
 
Looks good guys. Hopefully I can see how it works first hand if my back stays in good condition this season.

Brian - On a side note, Briley still talks about your boys at random times so she obviously had a blast when yall came over.
 
My only comment on the craddle is to be careful with the cross gunnel configuration when you go into a turn or when the waves are high. I USED to transport mine that way until a rather rough day, high winds on the return home caught me, or shall I say the end of the layout, spining them almost immediately off the gunnels, snapping the cradle and the straps I was using to tie it down. I now transport in your "highway" mode and I feel much safer on the water and I don't have to change things at the dock so I can speed up my load/unload time. Less handling.

good luck either way, just wanted to point out my mistakes so maybe it won't happen to you.

Eric
 
I really like what I see. How do you get the layout out of and back onto your tender. We tow our Bankes but have had the opertunity to get a MLB and was concerned about getting it onto the Windy, Shes a 40' downeast.
 
Jack,
That was one of our biggest reservations before purchasing the mlb. How hard was it going to be to bring it back on board. After our test run I was surprised how easily two guys can pull it right back into the boat. We just grab the bridle at the stern and pick it up and slide it right into the cradle. We tried just sliding it right up onto the gunnels, but it slid around like it was on ice. We decided it was much safer to bring it up right into the cradle. That is why we left the front deck open since one guy will be up there when we bring it in. Like I said before, this is our first rodeo with layouts, I had never even seen one in person until this one came, so we may have to rethink some of this stuff. But, it seemed like a good place to start. Shawn
 
My only comment on the craddle is to be careful with the cross gunnel configuration when you go into a turn or when the waves are high. I USED to transport mine that way until a rather rough day, high winds on the return home caught me, or shall I say the end of the layout, spining them almost immediately off the gunnels, snapping the cradle and the straps I was using to tie it down. I now transport in your "highway" mode and I feel much safer on the water and I don't have to change things at the dock so I can speed up my load/unload time. Less handling.

good luck either way, just wanted to point out my mistakes so maybe it won't happen to you.

Eric
Click to expand...

You'll have to be careful on days when it is going to be windy for the above noted reason. Also, you will have to be careful going with waves. The extra weight weight on the bow of the jon will cause some serious spearing of waves. Kristan and I found this out the hard way!!! Good thing we had a bilge pump.................

Best,
Steve

P.S. Brian, Ed Fields will build whatever you want!!

http://www.tuffboat.com/
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top