New toy installed - RockHopper

Scott Farris

Scott Farris

Well-known member
Last Dec. I hit you guys up for ideas on modifying my 14-ft V-Hull for shallow ROCKY/Ledge sections of the CT River where I like to hunt. For the last 10 years I've kind of very slowly, bumped and ground my way along chewing up props and removing lots of paint. I ended up believing that a jet outboard in the rated horse power range wouldn't work well so I've proceeding with a two step program. A RockHopper that arrived yesterday and if the testing works out, a manual jackplate to raise the motor while keeping the thrust aft. When I put the motor in shallow drive it simply blow water up and drives the stern down into the water. Time will tell on the jackplate but the RockHopper looks great!

I ordered it directly from Minn. and it arrived super fast and it was a great fit on the Nissan 25. I'm sure you'll note from the looks of the prop that I should have had one a while ago.

View attachment Rockhop3red.jpg

Note shadow for more details :^)

Now: How high can I raise the OB?

View attachment Rockhop3red.jpg
 
Scott,
I think you are really going to like that guard. I installed a Mac's River Runner on mine and ended up adding a piece to the front like yours has to shed weeds. Let us know how yours works in the weeds. I have really booinged some logs and the motor just jumped up and right back down with out any damage. I had to rebuild my lower unit one year and before it went back in the water I installed the guard. No trouble since!!! Good Luck and watch the rocks!!
 
Thanks for the input Tom. Now I've got to get my two props straightened out, and find some open water to she how she does. I'm really excited about the jackplate step and hope to have it worked it out by the time the stripers hit the river (end of April).

For sure I'll share the results.
Scott
 
Hope it works out for you. Shallows and obstructions that all waterfowl hunters have to deal with probably more than other boaters can ruin your day. I've even seen manure forks affixed to lower units to deflect stumps etc. In real shallow water I use my shoving paddle.

Best,
Harry
 
Scott, Oh yeah, be prepared for a considerable performance loss. I lost 6 or 7 mph from a top speed of almost 30. Another advantage of using an ol rat motor, I have a "summer" lower unit ready to bolt on w/o the guard. I am running a '78 25 Evinrude on a 14' Armstrong Broadbill. Oh course a speed loss beats a trashed prop or gearbox.
 
Scott,

I run one on my 25 on a TDB14. It has saved me several times. BUT, it does come with a top end speed loss, even using a PTT unit. Top end speed is not an issue in high rock areas though.

So, I plan on running it it rocky areas here at home and removing it when in sandy/muddy areas at the coast. Once you break down and drill the holes it is easy to take on and off in a few minutes.

Since I'm fortunate enough to hunt in many types of environments I get to be educated on several types of boat set-ups!

I think you'll like it for rocky river running.

Best wishes,
Gene
 
I am expecting some performance loss. The decked boat, me and a 90# lab presently top out a 25 mph. If the combination of RockHopper and motor jacked up to the max still allows me to get on plane with a loaded boat I will be a very happy camper. A half mile run is a long run for me so speed is secondary. If I can clear the sand bars at the mouth of the river and play in the rocky ledge / rapids of the northern non-navigable section I will have met my goals.And as Gene noted, remove 4 - 1/4" bolts and it comes right off.


Just to describe the river a bit here in northern CT, it is a series of class 1 & 2 rapids, shallows and ledges. Back in 1827-1829 when water transport was important to the area, a low head earth and cribbing dam built was across the river to the north and a 5 mile long canal was cut that paralleled the river bypassing this whole 5 mi stretch of the river. The canal was equipped with a series of locks at both ends. One of the towns in the area is Windsor Locks named for the south end series of locks. Above the dam the water was kept high enough to allow barge traffic into Springfield, Mass.

With the development of the rail and highway systems the river traffic stopped and the dam fell into disrepair It was well breached by the end of the 1970’s. The shad fishing below the dam used to be world class. Now little is left of the dam and in the spring the stripers have taken over the area. Small mouth can be found in good numbers and size through out the area. The water above the dam is shallow, wide with little elevation change to Springfield. There are holes, ledges, weed lines and channels that hold a few large mouths and a lot of smallies. As the water drops in the summer much of this area becomes a challenge to standard prop boats.

Jet boats are by far the preferred vehicle to work the area but they are priced well above what I’m willing to invest. For the last 10+ years I have simply gone slow, bumping and grinding over the rock for duck hunting and pretty much headed south to the coast with the bigger boat for summer fishing. The price of gas last summer made that a lot less attractive. A single trip started at $60 for the gas, launch fees, bait & tackle drove the price up from there. The thought of staying more local and enjoying more frequent, shorter trips makes a lot of sense and got me motivated to improve the 14 ft boat’s river running capability. The side benefit is that I hope to open more of the river up to my waterfowling.


Thanks again for the input,


Scott
 
Funny you should post that. I actually own two of those brackets, 1-10 hp & 1-25 hp. Not quite what I'm looking for.

Keep my projects in mind!

Scott
 
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