Setting Up The Boat

It takes me 15 minutes to get from this...

 ...to this.

Loaded in the boat are:
1. 5hp. outboard
2. Bowmount trolling motor
3. Paddle
4. Battery
5. Anchor w line
6. Possibles bag ( containing tools, engine essentials, extra anchor line, net bag for emergency anchor mixing oil, emergency equipment etc).
7. Provisions Food, Water, Fuel
8. Fishing Tackle.
9. Lifevest

Puerto Azul

This resort has been around for quite some time. Few people fish the area now which is a puzzle as the place is near (50km. from my house) and actually has fish! Barracudas, Jacks, Threadfins, Groupers, Snappers, Sharks and Rays to name a few, inhabit the place. The resort has a boat ramp and a decrepit pier which holds a lot of baitfish.

Here are a few pics of what you can catch there:

 The hungry juvies grab the lures before momma grouper can have a shot at it.

Threadie on topwater.

 My 12footer rigged out. Note: My 2hp. comes along until I get the bowmount motor attached.

 This draw stares on the road. Hopefully it starts an interest in the sport

 Opening to the bay from the planned marina at Puerto Azul.

More yummy threadies!

When the easterlies weaken (around March) I plan to explore the shoreline from Puerto Azul to Caylabne.

My Second Aluminum Boat

This has been up for sale for sometime and I've been resisting the urge to acquire it. Time came when I had a little extra so...

 It was the Bimini top that hooked me.How could you resist it?Looks like a cute buggy you can drive around in.

 It's a really beamy boat. Typical solid Aussie construction. The transom and gunwales are higher on this boat. Definitely a drier ride than the Alcraft.

 It was a struggle getting it off the roof and I figured out why. The flooring weighed a lot! The hull above the waterline is in great condition. The previous owner spent on getting it finished nice in khaki. Unfortunately, I see some possible issues on the bottom. Some small damages, possibly small holes repaired with epoxy. Fortunately I have a friend who does aluminum welds so I'll deal with any leaks when they arise.

 Drove all the way to San Jose, Nueva Ecija to pick up the boat.  I need longer rails for my roofrack to properly handle this boat.

My First Aluminum Boat

My First lasted all of 1 day as I resold it (at a profit of course) to acquire one that could go on my roof...a free boat!

 A pretty rig but but around here what you need is a boat you can carry on your roof and self launch

So, I sold that and got this old Alcraft rivet bucket.

Some dent removal and a paint job to make the old hull presentable

Setting the boat up. I need an 8-15hp. outboard, a bow mount trolling motor, some wired lights and a bilge pump. It's a work in progress.

Feb.19,2013

Made a platform for my bowmount trolling motor.

Feb.20,2013

Attached the motor!

I used 18mm. marine ply for the platform. I still need to get the quick release mount but for now, I'm using wing nuts and lock washers to speed setting up...also need a decent battery box. The whole system (motor, platform and battery weighed in at 35 kilos.

Wired Led lights below the bow's overhang from this position they are visible but won't mess with my night vision. I ran the wires through clear tubing and sealed the ends with silicon sealant. I've also ran wires to the stern for the light and bilge pump. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that the 5hp Mercury belts out a few amps of 12V when running. It's got an alternator!

Feb.21,2013
Set up the wiring and placed tiedowns for the paddle.

My phone got a dunking last time out even if it was in a dry pouch so I decided to put a small watertight compartment on the boat.

It's from an old jetski. Cutting a perfectly good thwart/bench did not sit well with me but I did what had to be done.

March 5,2013

Added a quick release mount for the trolling motor.

March 8,2013

 Mounted my switches. These are toggles with water resistant rubber boots. A bit pricey but should last longer than regular ones.

Put binding posts on my battery box. This way I don't need to open the box to access the battery.

A little creature comfort...
March25,2013

Found a NOS humminbird for cheap.

added some fish stickers to the bottom of the hull to encourage baitfish to shelter under and to attract predators

My First Boat

I've been fishing all my life. Usually, I'd rent boats to get on the water, owning watercraft was more a dream than any possible reality. Recently, changes in my life brought on new ventures and perspectives. One of which was owning my own boat. It all started with this simple Coleman Crawdad.

It's a great boat for calm waters. Seats two along with gear and provisions, really nice fishing platform. A vintage 2hp. Suzuki outboard pushed it along. The only thing I added to the rig was a rodholder.  Simple to clean and maintain. What more could one ask for... It gave me access to dams and estuaries ordinarily fished from shore.