"moving up"

Jim Boyer

Jim Boyer

Active member
Well, waiting for the right used boat has paid off. I will be "moving up" in size from my Bluebill (see avatar) to a like new all welded .125/5086 aluminum mud boat with a ProDrive SD motor. It has high (24") sides and full flotation which will serve me well on the Mississippi River.

In addition, this rig means I can now "attack vegetables" and have more room!

The initial plans are permanently installing running lights, doing a "camo" paint job, welding a folding "step-up" on the transom and adding hydro-turf.

MovingUPBR.jpg

 
Last edited:
That is one sweet looking duck hunting boat. Looks like your list will get finished just before our next season begins. Have fun!
Al
 
I agree with Al, that is one sweet lookin' ride there.
Conjures up thoughts of bayous and swamp jumpin' for birds and fish alike.
Just curious, what's the length and beam width?
I bet a bow mount trolling motor would turn that thing into an awesome off-season bassing machine.
That thing will definately get you into some skinny and tight spots.
 
Hank, the "camo" setup on your Phowler looks excellent.

Yes, the hull/rake is flat. The pointed bow is an "extra fabrication" (above the rake) and aids in eliminating "sudden" timber stops. That's something I don't need where I hunt, but it may prove handy in close quarters near docks and other boats. The basic hull is a 16' by 48". With the pointed bow it's 17' 9" total.

The place where I hunt on the Mississippi is well known for its bass fishing. There is a custom trolling motor mount for the bow that comes with the rig. The owner just never put it on.

Picking it up will be a long haul.....round trip from nothern Illinois to south western Arkansas.
 
Jim
I've hunted and fished the mighty Mississippi my entire life and wondered how that boat would handle a South wind. You get a pretty good chop (wave)going North against the current. As I said before "just curious"
wis boz
 
"You get a pretty good chop (wave) going North against the current.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you are talking about. It can get "very interesting" quickly. One time last year I was hunting teal to the south. The main channel was like glass.

A few hours later. the wind from the south was howling....current going one way and waves the other. I avoided the main channel by going around the island to a back channel. I put my Bluebill up on top of a huge wave and we literally "surfed it" two miles back to camp. I'd call that more than a chop and better than any carnival ride. We would have never made it going south.

Fortunately, the duck camp where I have my trailer is on a backwater area. I can avoid that issue on "most" windy days, but I can't use any shallow routes with the Bluebill. Now, with the mud motor rig I will be able to skirt close around islands and stay out of the wind.

But in truth, since that "ride", I pay more attention to the forecasts, pass on risky days, always plan ahead of time on alternative routes back to camp, tell the camp director where I'm headed, keep my cell phone in a zip-lock, have an "island over-night bag" and wear my float coat.
-------
 
Last edited:
they say those phowlers are great boats. well built and run well with the pro drive motors. they say you can blow the lower unit gears up in the prodrives and still be able to limp it back to the ramp...good luck with it
 
Glad you found one. Looks like a really nice rig! It is going to be so nice not having to tow a boat down to the river, HA!!
 
Brian, I owe you "big time" so there will always be a place for you.....especially, since you know all the "good spots".
--------
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top