Ryan Werden......You get that fatboy in the water...

Had it in the water on Sunday Ed. Great little boat. Very stable. Previously, to get to the skinny stuff, I used a kayak. This was tippy to hunt from and I used it solely for transportation. I'm looking forward to hunting from the FB layout style and staying out of the water, especially in December... The 46lb trolling motor moved the boat very well. Like a dummy I left the GPS in the truck. With ~300lbs in the boat that little motor had no problems. It's powered by a AC Delco deep cycle M27MF battery. I'll post some pics on Wednesday when my wife returns with the camera.

Anyone have good/bad experiences with the stumpjumper motors? Their 4hp motor might be just right...

Over the next couple of days I'll be working on some camo idea's. Let me know if you have anything brewing on how you'll outfit yours.
 
Got your PM. Thanks for the update. I'll fill you in on my camo ideas later. Work is calling! bummer!!
 
Ed and Ryan,

Here is how my new Fatboy is being tested. I've averaged 5 mph with my 2 hp Evinrude and "the gang". The dog wasn't invited but he refused to stay on the beach. Ozzy was easy to pull up onto the front deck and Chase didn't mind the blocked view:) When I get some free time I'm going to install eye straps around the cockpit and hang military camo netting over the boat. The biggest project will be cutting out doors from 6mm plywood and mounting them to the boat. I've got a good idea from some packing boxes but it's all about finding the time. For now I'm sanding out rough spots and repainting. More to come!

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Looking good Dave....

Looks good on the water. Not much drawl at all it seems. Should have mine here in a couple of weeks or so. Just got off the phone with Ira's wife and she told me the boat is on schedule. Can't wait to get her rigged. Sept. Teal is just around the corner! I have been curious about speed with a samll motor. I have a 2.5hp and my longest run is approx 2 miles. That gives me an idea of how much time to plan.

Take care,

Ed L.
 
FYI - My new Fatboy weighs in at 110 pounds. That is a lot heavier than the old 76 pound advertised weight!!! This really fries my a$$ so keep this in mind if you are thinking about trying to carry this boat. It's very awkward and heavy. My old 17 ft aluminum canoe was lighter than this boat but not as stable so I guess I'm keeping it. Ira, time for a web page update!

-Dave
 
Thanks,

Ryan had told me it was heavier than advertised but wasn't sure of the weight. I was looking forward to the 76lbs. Glad I still have my canoe caddy!

Ed L.
 
Wow, at 110 lbs, I'll have to reconsider my choices. Here I was thinking the new Fatboy and a small motor would be just the ticket. My old Hoefgen weighs much less than this and may be worth reconsideration (to not sell it).

I wonder how the weight went up almost 50%? It sure is a nice looking boat.


Mark W
 
Mark,

I would guess that the additional weight comes from the floatation/chambers which have been added. I don't believe the original 'Original' had flotation and I suspect that is the weight which is advertised on the Momarsh site. The new design has flotation chambers which run stern forward for about 3ft. They're ~6in deep and filled with foam. Additionaly, the bow is filled with flotation. These additions are really a double-edge sword. With it comes safety, but also weight and less room.

I am disappointed with the weight. I had the specs from several small boat manufacturers and narrowed it down to the FB with a primary factor being the weight. It will be a bear to handle in some spots by myself. That said, I do think it will make a good rig. Super stable and low profile which will be easy to hide.
 
Guys, I am concerned about the weight and we have been working on it. I have 2 here and both are 95#'s. The old models had floatation chambers instead of 2 part foam. I think the new floatation system does weigh more, but the primary reason is due to the fact that they are just putting in more glass than we had in the past.

This is a good and bad thing. On the positive side, there is less flex and you have a tank that you just can not damage. On the negative side, it weighs more and cost more for us to make.

I dont know that we will see 76#'s again, but we should be able to get them down to 85 for sure. We are weighing boats as they come off of the line now and I will update the website once we get things stabilized.

Dave, et al. Get in touch with me if you want to give up the heavy duty model for a lighter one- I can make it work..
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Dave, et al. Get in touch with me if you want to give up the heavy duty model for a lighter one- I can make it work..
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Ira I think you hit a nail on the head. A good advertising point. Give people a choice. Myself It would be a tank.
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Dave,

I've thought the down side of the boat has always been it's awkwardness. It's easy to handle in and around the water but getting to the water can be hard. No easy to pick up and carry, not the weight, but the shape is hard to move. The upside is the stability on the water. That can not be beat.

Tight Lines ... Fred
 
Fred,

I agree. It's a great boat and it handles very well in the water. The pros of the boat definitely out weigh the the extra weight in the new hull. If Ira gets the new boats under 90 pounds it will be a slam-dunk winner. I'm just bummed I'll have to use a trailer because my car rack is only rated to 100 pounds. Not that I can military press 100 pounds, hehehe.

Ira, PM sent.
 
Rich,

I use a Cruise N Carry 2.7 on mine and it runs great. The only problem I have is with vegetation. If it's too thick the engine will not run through it.

Tight Lines ... Fred
 
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