I got a boat like this one as a kid, they will last a good long time . I've had it of 47 years now and it still holds air . It looks like you did a great job on it, everything was very well thought out . I enjoyed watching the video thanks for posting it .
I love these videos! After ordering an inflatable raft i ran across these videos. Only thing im going to do different is protect and seal all the wood with flex seal! Instead of wood treatment and carpet. I figure I might attach a few door mats by adhering them together with flex seal as well. Either that or i will grab some structural rated 795 dow caulking sealant that I can get a couple tubes of from work. The door mats will give me some spots to rest bare feet if wanted if the surface starts to get hot. Im going to put two batteries on mine. One for trolling and a smaller one for any other electronics. A front seat and back seat with a table in the middle that will open and have storage for the batteries, life jackets, and any other accessories. And of course attaching some rod holders. Im throwing around the idea of a PVC canopy frame and putting solar panels on the roof. I saw another guy do this. Cool idea but i think it looked a little to enclosed. So i may just attach a big unbrella somewhere for some shade and call it good. Cant wait to finish tho. Im about half way there lol
I take my Excursion 5 on the river all the time. it goes over and into rocks quite a bit and have had no problems! The cloth reinforced vinyl is remarkably tough, but one might want to reinforce the material for a more long-term solution. That said, My boat has seen about 5 years of Montana rivers and Lakes; not One leak to date. Cheers Mate! Sweet Mod!
@@edwardjames7295 If I were to do that, Id use a cloth-reinforced solvented vinyl goop. Whatever you can get, I've seen alot of great reviews of that (whatisit) HH60? Never used it personally though... During WW2 Ford was actually using denim as reinforcement to build auto-bodies, its intense the amount of strength cotton fabric lends to a composite material! (Background: composites material vendor)
If the hull wears out, simply replace it altogether with the same model. If you get a few seasons out if it, you've gotten your money's worth! I can't think of an easier or cheaper way to have some fun on the water! If you keep your inflatable boat clean and take good care of it, it'll last you a long time. Use only mild detergent, avoid harsh chemicals, don't store in extreme heat or cold, and make sure critters can't get to it! Get a large plastic tub or trash can with a lid to store it in. And above all, make sure it's completely dry before storing to prevent mold and mildew.
Good call outs Mavrickdallas! For a casual fisherman on small lakes this is a pretty fun boat! If I can get 3 to 4 years out of it I’ll be happy and to your point if it wears out I can just get a new one for a fraction of a price of a boat.
Yep, i did one with a sea hawk 4, have had it 3 years now, did a 70mile trip down the rahue river in mine apart from 30 or 40 fishing trips on various lakes, patched it maybe 3 times and may have to replace it next season but will just buy the boat, throw in my floor and away i go! I also run a 5hp petrol outboard on mine with extra support from the floor
@@nagunaks2222 Some have done that, by applying a layer of vinyl tape or sheeting to the bottom, especially on inflatable kayaks to go out on the rapids, but that would make it a lot stiffer and more difficult to fold back up for transport and storage.
I have the same boat. For my floor. I went to home depot and bought 2 large sheets of that purple insulation. Glued them together. cut them to size. Then I fiber glassed them. a messy job. But very light weight and sturdy. I'm running a 3hp gas motor with my boat. I extended the transom rails to the ore holes for stability. Because I'm using motors. I had to have license numbers on the baot. The way I did it was to take a for sale sign, painted it white and cut it to size. Then I placed the boat ID numbers on the on it. Then I hung it over the sides. Works great. Love my boat.
One of the best video explaining this floor+ accessories only change i would make is add a hole in the floor to access the inflation port on the floor! Great video!
Bad ass lil set up!!! I have a 15’ x5’ flat bottom canoe that I’m thinking about pimpin out! I love the all the innovative ways folks are coming up with to have a nice little fishing vessel without spending a ton of $ !!!
Outstanding design and workmanship! I appreciated the thorough explanation of why you made certain modifications, plus overall advantages and disadvantages. Thanks for the video and information!
For fathersday i bought this very same boat and motor im bout to go buy the battery , i bought him hecka. 🐟 bate and 🎣 fishing poles as well as water shoes a fold up chair. A fishing tackle bag and his old fishing tackle box we got him last year. He got to open an early gift today . a toy thats a bass fish singing and dancing when u push the botton it sings about fishing and hunting .lol . this gift was our clue to him hes going fishing soon. Anyways i bought him this very same 🚢 boat and motor and i do plan to make this a project to modify ours too. ❤ its an awesome gift for a dad. Cool Clip thanku man ✌ And happy fathers day to dads 2020.
Wow that is super Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing that comment. It sounds like your dad is going to have his hands full with lots of fishing this year!! Hope you and your dad will be able to enjoy it together! Cheers!
@@makeit5272 oh its for my hubby for fathers day my dad passed in 2016 but he would of loved it too. but i kno going fishing, Hes always with us n our 💕 heartson these adventures as well 😃 so excited. By the way do u have the measurements on the floor board so i can go get the board start the measurements?
I love this boat had it for two years now. And the excursion 5 is the best. I had a trolling motor for it but it was malfunctioning. The motor would be good on speed 2 for about 30 seconds then stop. And wouldn't work at all on other speeds. Although i got the intex trolling motor instead of the one you got. But my husband and i row it out a few miles three times a week or so during summer, spring, and fall. And we have caught so many fish its crazy. Big ones too. I told my husband about your video and when he watched it he was very enthused and wanted to do the same. But decided not to since rowing it out is a good team exercise for us.
Bro everything you've done is what I imagined doing in this video! No joke I had this idea a few years ago but have done nothing to do it yet. Thanks for the video!
*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*
I’m doing this summer time , have had the boat a few years it’s the real deal for inflatable rafts . Already have the trolling motor and battery, after the floor is custom I will still have spent under 500 bucks . But it’s not just about the money , I can store this in a closet and fits in my small suv
I have had my inflatable since 1982....yes '82. It is a Sevylor K78 GT. I am going to modify mine to at least have a floor in it. I may put a seat/utility box in it to be used when I am by myself. You did a fantastic job on your build and the video as well.
This video is great!! I have been wanting to get this boat mainly for fishing but was skeptical about it. After watching this, I feel more confident about the purchase. Thank you for showing how to make it a durable fishing vessel
thank you for all the advice. I am a casual fisher like you, i live in Chicago in an apartment and was looking for a way to have a boat I can pack away. I am an avid camper and traveler so this helps me with the space aspect.
I did pretty much the same setup and it has been great took it about 10 times probably so far and the only thing I did different was put a cooler and the battery right next to in the middle and my floor is 2 pieces to fit into a car
im gonna go fishing this weekend and was planning on taking my inflatable boat out was searching youtube for anglers who were fishing on a inflatable raft see how they were doing it wheni managed to come across this vid. now i wanna go out and fish on the raft.
Extremely satisfying conversion :) Well done! We're using the Excursion 5 for our fishing trips as well and though we use a way weaker motor it turned out to be a cheap but still great fun way to do boatfishing. We're going to use some of your hints and features when converting it to make it even more pleasent ;)
Well done and well though out plan. Never even thought about putting in a floor and chairs; GREAT idea!!! This should help me as I have had 3 back surgeries and sitting in the boat wouldn’t be much fun fishing for a long period of time. But now with chairs, game on! Thx for sharing!!!
This is a great video and explains really well this project from start to finish! I just bought this boat and plan on doing all this eventually, but for now I just got the motor mount and electric paddle (basically a drill with a propeller on it) for now.
You did a great job! I did one similar setup but then got the kayak. I am now looking at a RIB Boat that is 16 ft or less., It is kind of the trajectory many people take. Thanks for the video, it was fun to watch and reminded me of my days with my Intex.
That’s exactly what I’m doing. Got this and building it for the lakes here in NE USA. The kayak we are going to get for our Florida springs trips and outer banks trips. RIB boats are awesome. The cost though makes me consider alternative used boats though.
I've used an Intex Mariner 4 for 7 years and it still holds air. made some modifications: covered wood floor, added a wood table on the motor mount, and a board to fasten on the front. I still need to add the swivel seats.
I had an inflatable once, brand was a Sevlor. As much as I tried, never could get the valves to seal properly. I did get it inflated , but when on the water, it started leaking down. No more for me. I traded it to a friend, for him to put kingpins in a 1957 Ford pickup. The boat cost about $125.00 new, I figure the parts and labor to install them was worth the swap. Thank you McBride for the work.
THIS video is EPIC!!!! This is exactly what I want to do this year with my new boat, and you just my life 100X easier. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!! Subbed and liked!
I have a 4 person inflatable boat and it came with a hand operated pump. Only takes 4-5 minutes tops to air up my raft. You might look into one of those. Or take along your cordless leaf blower to air it up most of the way then insert pump to finish. That’s a very quick method I’ve used as well.
turned out great. my dad did this with his back in the 90s. not with the huge pedestal seats though. couple things I would have done differently with yours. thinner wood. yes, that thickness is much stronger, but, it's doesn't really need to be. and thinner would save important weight. pedestal seats also added lots of unnecessary weight. just put a couple lawn chairs in it. even add a couple clamps to make them more secure if needed. and I would have painted all the wood, to protect it better.
@@lucidx2 definitely, but it works. My zodiac, i just put 2 lawn chairs in it. They actually hold quite well in there. I just troll anyway, so there's no need to be twirling around in a seat.
To cut down inflation time, I use a 12v to 110v 2500w peak power inverter and a vintage Electrolux canister vacuum cleaner that has a blower port. Vacuum to cut down on deflation time. Also have large shop vacs that can do the same but they take up more storage space. Just need to make sure that the inverter is big enough to handle the electrical load. Oh, nice build btw.
I just inflated this boat for the first time in my barn. I have a Minn Kota C2 30 lb thrust for it. I will take it on the lake as is to get a feel for it. Want to fish with Garmin Striker 4+ finder/GPS. I need to figure out transducer location, motor steering positions, battery location, and much more. Your video is a gem of ideas for modding the boat for fishing. Thank you. BTW, I will fish alone normally and worry about wind lifting the front and flipping me over. All my weight is in the back. Adding a storage box forward of center would solve that. Thanks.
What an awesome video! I love how you transform this thing into something much better!! Highlight of your boat is the cupholder! Lol Freaking love it I just bought the Seahawk. Wood floors going in along with your little doodads. Thanks for sharing
I bought an Excursion 4 because I wanted a boat I can take with me camping. I have a small RV which I pull behind my Sienna Van. I had the boat out last year once and without a floor using a trolling motor. It was awkward to say the least because you sit so low in the boat compared to the tiller. This winter I am putting in a floor and ordering a Chinese gas motor. The gas motor is because as long as you save 1/2 of your fuel you can get back to the dock. I also plan to use a paper pattern to cut out the floor. I like the idea of the pipe insulation to prevent chaffing. Also in at least OHIO and I think it should be true for other states that these boats must be registered and have Coast Guard registration numbers displayed on the bow. Thanks for the video.
Done this stuff with mine it's the same boat .Floor though I used 1/2 inch plywood then 1 inch styrofoam house insulation sheet for bottom and have a tuff cargo cart in the rear with a seat on it for storage..Great build man. Fun projects .
I have a 12-year-old Sevylor inflatable a lot like what you have. We still take it out fishing weekly during the summer. We just leave it semi-inflated so we can slide it into the back of my truck and slide it into the garage till the weekends.
Hi Brad. Your TH-cam video's are exceptional and skillful. I appreciate this one in particular because I too have limited storage space. Thank you very much for showing the steps involved in modifying an inflatable raft, as I can modify accordingly for the one I own. Top notch build. I hope you're doing well Brother. Catch em up.
I might use kitchen rubber mats for flooring. Less weight the better. Need to think about seats.? Simple is better. Especially to assemble and disassemble. Great work you have done.
It's nice to see someone using thier hands to craft awesome projects!!! Only way to learn is to apply yourself and do it to it!!! Great job btw and great craftsmanship!!!
I have the same boat with a VERY similar set up to yours! Your video is very detailed and informative; I wish I had seen this while starting my project! Even though mine is already completed I learned a few things by watching this! Awesome video man! Cheers!
Wow, thank you very much Derek! It's amazing all the little modifications you can do with this little boat. I have been having a blast on mine and I hope you are too. Cheers brother!
We have space constraints and are considering doing a similar setup. Wondering if a hinged floor concept would work so you have more stability on the water but it folds to half the size for storage and transport. Has anyone done this?
Abdullah Barak it depends on how much you use the battery (trolling, charging cell phones etc.) but typically a full battery should get you 4-6 hours and recharge is 6/8 hours.
Jennifer Wyrick 12 Volt 35AH battery. I’m thinking of getting a battery with better AH so I can go a little further without worrying about the battery dying.
Thanks Falconpunch! Yeah it is definitely a fun boat as is. Lots of fun stuff you can do with; fish, lounge around in it or use it to jump in and out of the lake on hot days! Hope you and your family enjoy your boat and thanks for watching my video!
I'm wondering how are the zip ties not digging into the vinyl on the edge? After you secure it around the pipe insulation and cut it, isn't there a little nub where the plastic is locked on the zip tie?
What were the dimensions of your console, including material? I am working this setup over then next few weeks, and want to know material and measurements. Phenomenal job man, this fits everything I am looking for.
Hey bro, how do you measure the motor when you submerge it into the water, how deep do you submerge the motor/propeller into the water on a 12v motor and do you have a marker on the shaft or motor mount etc, thanks 😊
I'm doing this myself right now but I'm using 3/4" USB since I got it for free I'm wondering would big washers work for the carriage bolts so the seats don't break the OSB?
Hi thank you for the video. Very helpful. We just bought the Excursion 5 but we are struggling with the battery box and the strap as it slips when we carry the box from the top handle. Any tip on what to do to prevent this to happen? Thanks! :)
Great video. You talked about expected longevity of the boat. At least it's a common model and you can pickup spare when needed, or in advance. Rest of build and time spent is perfectly in tact
So the 1/2 inch aluminum rod........ it really really makes the oar locators bend and form to and ugly S shape. Meaning that rod that goes through it deforms the oar hole. Did it do this for you as well and will it ruin the oar hole ?
Awesome set up. I WOULD like to know the make of your boat motor & battery box where to get it and the cost as well as where you purchased your boat seats /set up and the cost. I couldn't open the link you provided so if you can send me that information it would be appreciated.
Dudes a engineer, I wanna use those plans and slap two 20 dollar plastic barrels cut in half under it. Might be cheaper then getting the excursion 4 body. Great build!
How has the wood held up to moisture? I've used Rymar Sealer on deck builds for weatherproofing. Im about to start a build and considering using the sealer stain. You done a great job man! Tight lines
Super cool. I got their kayak for fishing with my son but now i'm thinking we need more space in the vessel. The kayak has a backpack where you can store and transport, and that one weighs about 39lb. How much does this boat weigh? Does it have a backpack? I love the floor set up and that is really something to think about.
Dang ive been so close to buying a lil jon boat just bcuz i dnt wnna fish off shire anymre.. but didnt realize how this lil set can work i hve 10 “ raft just sitting n my bin.. so gnna try this!! Lol thnx great vid
What happens if your power runs out half way through your day after excessive use & you’re a good bit away from your launch area, do you carry a spare battery pack?....great conversion though as you’ve shown how to do this for the fraction of the cost of a ready made one.
Built mine after I saw this video 3 years ago and I still have it and works everywhere!
have you gone to the sea?
I got a boat like this one as a kid, they will last a good long time . I've had it of 47 years now and it still holds air . It looks like you did a great job on it, everything was very well thought out . I enjoyed watching the video thanks for posting it .
This was one of the BEST videos I have EVER watched. No jokes. Everything I wanted to know was here and nothing extra. Thank you!!
I love these videos! After ordering an inflatable raft i ran across these videos. Only thing im going to do different is protect and seal all the wood with flex seal! Instead of wood treatment and carpet. I figure I might attach a few door mats by adhering them together with flex seal as well. Either that or i will grab some structural rated 795 dow caulking sealant that I can get a couple tubes of from work. The door mats will give me some spots to rest bare feet if wanted if the surface starts to get hot. Im going to put two batteries on mine. One for trolling and a smaller one for any other electronics. A front seat and back seat with a table in the middle that will open and have storage for the batteries, life jackets, and any other accessories. And of course attaching some rod holders. Im throwing around the idea of a PVC canopy frame and putting solar panels on the roof. I saw another guy do this. Cool idea but i think it looked a little to enclosed. So i may just attach a big unbrella somewhere for some shade and call it good. Cant wait to finish tho. Im about half way there lol
Post your finished version please.
Make sure there will be no sticks in the lake. I would prefer if you use a hypalon dinghy and not the kids/very cheap ones
and this is my inflatable boat with a motor th-cam.com/video/IqQq9uDXJ8g/w-d-xo.html
@@jurgenattard9603 if you hit a branch/deadwood, hypalon or not you will get a puncture if going fast enough.
I just purchased the Excursion 4 and I am so grateful for You Tube and amazing people like you, that share your talents with us all!!
I take my Excursion 5 on the river all the time. it goes over and into rocks quite a bit and have had no problems! The cloth reinforced vinyl is remarkably tough, but one might want to reinforce the material for a more long-term solution. That said, My boat has seen about 5 years of Montana rivers and Lakes; not One leak to date. Cheers Mate! Sweet Mod!
How to reinforce the material? Any extra sheet or overcoating?
@@edwardjames7295 If I were to do that, Id use a cloth-reinforced solvented vinyl goop. Whatever you can get, I've seen alot of great reviews of that (whatisit) HH60? Never used it personally though...
During WW2 Ford was actually using denim as reinforcement to build auto-bodies, its intense the amount of strength cotton fabric lends to a composite material! (Background: composites material vendor)
@@NickyDana thank you
If the hull wears out, simply replace it altogether with the same model. If you get a few seasons out if it, you've gotten your money's worth!
I can't think of an easier or cheaper way to have some fun on the water!
If you keep your inflatable boat clean and take good care of it, it'll last you a long time. Use only mild detergent, avoid harsh chemicals, don't store in extreme heat or cold, and make sure critters can't get to it! Get a large plastic tub or trash can with a lid to store it in. And above all, make sure it's completely dry before storing to prevent mold and mildew.
Good call outs Mavrickdallas! For a casual fisherman on small lakes this is a pretty fun boat! If I can get 3 to 4 years out of it I’ll be happy and to your point if it wears out I can just get a new one for a fraction of a price of a boat.
Yep, i did one with a sea hawk 4, have had it 3 years now, did a 70mile trip down the rahue river in mine apart from 30 or 40 fishing trips on various lakes, patched it maybe 3 times and may have to replace it next season but will just buy the boat, throw in my floor and away i go! I also run a 5hp petrol outboard on mine with extra support from the floor
Why not double layer the bottom
@@nagunaks2222 Some have done that, by applying a layer of vinyl tape or sheeting to the bottom, especially on inflatable kayaks to go out on the rapids, but that would make it a lot stiffer and more difficult to fold back up for transport and storage.
and this is my inflatable boat with a motor th-cam.com/video/IqQq9uDXJ8g/w-d-xo.html
Can you speak to the longevity after a year now?
I just purchased the exact same setup motor wise.
I have the same boat. For my floor. I went to home depot and bought 2 large sheets of that purple insulation. Glued them together. cut them to size. Then I fiber glassed them. a messy job. But very light weight and sturdy. I'm running a 3hp gas motor with my boat. I extended the transom rails to the ore holes for stability. Because I'm using motors. I had to have license numbers on the baot. The way I did it was to take a for sale sign, painted it white and cut it to size. Then I placed the boat ID numbers on the on it. Then I hung it over the sides. Works great. Love my boat.
Were you able to put chairs with that floor? If so what'd you do?
One of the best video explaining this floor+ accessories only change i would make is add a hole in the floor to access the inflation port on the floor! Great video!
Bad ass lil set up!!! I have a 15’ x5’ flat bottom canoe that I’m thinking about pimpin out! I love the all the innovative ways folks are coming up with to have a nice little fishing vessel without spending a ton of $ !!!
Outstanding design and workmanship! I appreciated the thorough explanation of why you made certain modifications, plus overall advantages and disadvantages. Thanks for the video and information!
For fathersday i bought this very same boat and motor im bout to go buy the battery , i bought him hecka. 🐟 bate and 🎣 fishing poles as well as water shoes a fold up chair. A fishing tackle bag and his old fishing tackle box we got him last year. He got to open an early gift today . a toy thats a bass fish singing and dancing when u push the botton it sings about fishing and hunting .lol . this gift was our clue to him hes going fishing soon. Anyways i bought him this very same 🚢 boat and motor and i do plan to make this a project to modify ours too. ❤ its an awesome gift for a dad. Cool Clip thanku man ✌ And happy fathers day to dads 2020.
Wow that is super Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing that comment. It sounds like your dad is going to have his hands full with lots of fishing this year!! Hope you and your dad will be able to enjoy it together! Cheers!
@@makeit5272 oh its for my hubby for fathers day my dad passed in 2016 but he would of loved it too. but i kno going fishing, Hes always with us n our 💕 heartson these adventures as well 😃 so excited. By the way do u have the measurements on the floor board so i can go get the board start the measurements?
Oops my mistake! The measurements for the floor that I put in are 8 feet long by 38 inches wide.
I love this boat had it for two years now. And the excursion 5 is the best. I had a trolling motor for it but it was malfunctioning. The motor would be good on speed 2 for about 30 seconds then stop. And wouldn't work at all on other speeds. Although i got the intex trolling motor instead of the one you got. But my husband and i row it out a few miles three times a week or so during summer, spring, and fall. And we have caught so many fish its crazy. Big ones too. I told my husband about your video and when he watched it he was very enthused and wanted to do the same. But decided not to since rowing it out is a good team exercise for us.
Bro everything you've done is what I imagined doing in this video! No joke I had this idea a few years ago but have done nothing to do it yet. Thanks for the video!
*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*
Because of you, I bought one myself.
Ken Morgan damn near thinking about it.
same here i got one today because of him
I've taken it to the lake a few times and people love it.
Me too
Get mine in the mail on Sunday
I’m doing this summer time , have had the boat a few years it’s the real deal for inflatable rafts . Already have the trolling motor and battery, after the floor is custom I will still have spent under 500 bucks . But it’s not just about the money , I can store this in a closet and fits in my small suv
Thank you Tyler for sharing! Good luck with you modifications and happy fishing!
I have had my inflatable since 1982....yes '82. It is a Sevylor K78 GT. I am going to modify mine to at least have a floor in it. I may put a seat/utility box in it to be used when I am by myself. You did a fantastic job on your build and the video as well.
Those are heavy duty, not this vinyl stuff.
This video is great!! I have been wanting to get this boat mainly for fishing but was skeptical about it. After watching this, I feel more confident about the purchase. Thank you for showing how to make it a durable fishing vessel
Wow I'm impressed! I've been looking for a jon boat on Facebook marketplace but screw that I'm going to do something similair to this!
thank you for all the advice. I am a casual fisher like you, i live in Chicago in an apartment and was looking for a way to have a boat I can pack away. I am an avid camper and traveler so this helps me with the space aspect.
I did pretty much the same setup and it has been great took it about 10 times probably so far and the only thing I did different was put a cooler and the battery right next to in the middle and my floor is 2 pieces to fit into a car
Thanks for the video! Any chance you can post the dimensions of the finished floor? Thanks.
Dude made it a freaking luxury boat. Well done man!
im gonna go fishing this weekend and was planning on taking my inflatable boat out was searching youtube for anglers who were fishing on a inflatable raft see how they were doing it wheni managed to come across this vid. now i wanna go out and fish on the raft.
Great Video, well explained, well edited and the 3x's speed was real nice - wow
I’m barely halfway and this is brilliantly done.
Extremely satisfying conversion :) Well done! We're using the Excursion 5 for our fishing trips as well and though we use a way weaker motor it turned out to be a cheap but still great fun way to do boatfishing. We're going to use some of your hints and features when converting it to make it even more pleasent ;)
nicely done. for the middle box, you can also drill a hole for umbrella to give you some shade and more visible for other boats.
Excellent suggestion Thanks
Well done and well though out plan. Never even thought about putting in a floor and chairs; GREAT idea!!! This should help me as I have had 3 back surgeries and sitting in the boat wouldn’t be much fun fishing for a long period of time. But now with chairs, game on! Thx for sharing!!!
This is a great video and explains really well this project from start to finish! I just bought this boat and plan on doing all this eventually, but for now I just got the motor mount and electric paddle (basically a drill with a propeller on it) for now.
good job you inspire me so much, thank you from Mongolia 🇲🇳
You did a great job! I did one similar setup but then got the kayak. I am now looking at a RIB Boat that is 16 ft or less., It is kind of the trajectory many people take. Thanks for the video, it was fun to watch and reminded me of my days with my Intex.
That’s exactly what I’m doing. Got this and building it for the lakes here in NE USA. The kayak we are going to get for our Florida springs trips and outer banks trips. RIB boats are awesome. The cost though makes me consider alternative used boats though.
I've used an Intex Mariner 4 for 7 years and it still holds air. made some modifications: covered wood floor, added a wood table on the motor mount, and a board to fasten on the front. I still need to add the swivel seats.
I had an inflatable once, brand was a Sevlor. As much as I tried, never could get the valves to seal properly. I did get it inflated , but when on the water, it started leaking down. No more for me. I traded it to a friend, for him to put kingpins in a 1957 Ford pickup. The boat cost about $125.00 new, I figure the parts and labor to install them was worth the swap. Thank you McBride for the work.
awesome! no one else mentioned zip ties and rubber edges! I would like the zip part facing inward to prevent rubbing and cutting.
Hand sand any sharp edges after the cutting the tie
I thought the same when I saw that.
What a great modification video, appreciate the links in description too!
THIS video is EPIC!!!! This is exactly what I want to do this year with my new boat, and you just my life 100X easier. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!! Subbed and liked!
I bought my Sevylor Fish Hunter 360 in 2001 and still have 'n use it! It's been pretty handy over the years.
I have a 4 person inflatable boat and it came with a hand operated pump. Only takes 4-5 minutes tops to air up my raft. You might look into one of those. Or take along your cordless leaf blower to air it up most of the way then insert pump to finish. That’s a very quick method I’ve used as well.
turned out great. my dad did this with his back in the 90s. not with the huge pedestal seats though. couple things I would have done differently with yours. thinner wood. yes, that thickness is much stronger, but, it's doesn't really need to be. and thinner would save important weight. pedestal seats also added lots of unnecessary weight. just put a couple lawn chairs in it. even add a couple clamps to make them more secure if needed. and I would have painted all the wood, to protect it better.
fishing from lawnchairs would suck compared to being able to swivel around lol
@@lucidx2 definitely, but it works. My zodiac, i just put 2 lawn chairs in it. They actually hold quite well in there. I just troll anyway, so there's no need to be twirling around in a seat.
To cut down inflation time, I use a 12v to 110v 2500w peak power inverter and a vintage Electrolux canister vacuum cleaner that has a blower port. Vacuum to cut down on deflation time. Also have large shop vacs that can do the same but they take up more storage space. Just need to make sure that the inverter is big enough to handle the electrical load. Oh, nice build btw.
I just inflated this boat for the first time in my barn. I have a Minn Kota C2 30 lb thrust for it. I will take it on the lake as is to get a feel for it. Want to fish with Garmin Striker 4+ finder/GPS. I need to figure out transducer location, motor steering positions, battery location, and much more. Your video is a gem of ideas for modding the boat for fishing. Thank you. BTW, I will fish alone normally and worry about wind lifting the front and flipping me over. All my weight is in the back. Adding a storage box forward of center would solve that. Thanks.
would you say this is better than the mariner 4?
What an awesome video! I love how you transform this thing into something much better!! Highlight of your boat is the cupholder! Lol Freaking love it
I just bought the Seahawk. Wood floors going in along with your little doodads. Thanks for sharing
I bought an Excursion 4 because I wanted a boat I can take with me camping. I have a small RV which I pull behind my Sienna Van. I had the boat out last year once and without a floor using a trolling motor. It was awkward to say the least because you sit so low in the boat compared to the tiller. This winter I am putting in a floor and ordering a Chinese gas motor. The gas motor is because as long as you save 1/2 of your fuel you can get back to the dock. I also plan to use a paper pattern to cut out the floor. I like the idea of the pipe insulation to prevent chaffing. Also in at least OHIO and I think it should be true for other states that these boats must be registered and have Coast Guard registration numbers displayed on the bow. Thanks for the video.
been using mine since 2017, i fish almost everyday. the boat last a while trust me haha.
Do you worry about debris popping any of the chambers when you are airing it up or getting it into the lake? Any tips?
@@jacobschwien8769 no i don't honestly. It seems to never han issue. The only hole i ever got was from a catfish slamming against the sidewall.
How is the stability on the water? Do you feel safe sitting so high off the surface of the wood considering that the boat is inflatable.
Roman Komlev inflatable boats are usually mire stable since they are wider, well compared to kayaks and canoes
@@romank1102 super stable, i can walk around in it with no issues.
Done this stuff with mine it's the same boat .Floor though I used 1/2 inch plywood then 1 inch styrofoam house insulation sheet for bottom and have a tuff cargo cart in the rear with a seat on it for storage..Great build man. Fun projects .
How sturdy is the 1/2 in and is it working for the same seat setup?
Awesome build, I’m amazed it can handle the additional weight
I have a 12-year-old Sevylor inflatable a lot like what you have. We still take it out fishing weekly during the summer. We just leave it semi-inflated so we can slide it into the back of my truck and slide it into the garage till the weekends.
Hi Brad. Your TH-cam video's are exceptional and skillful. I appreciate this one in particular because I too have limited storage space. Thank you very much for showing the steps involved in modifying an inflatable raft, as I can modify accordingly for the one I own. Top notch build. I hope you're doing well Brother. Catch em up.
Dude, great fkn idea. This is definitely worth it. Honestly, should last at least 3 years fishing 4 times a month.....
I love this you should start a shop I wish I had some to do my inflatable boat I just got yesterday
I might use kitchen rubber mats for flooring. Less weight the better. Need to think about seats.? Simple is better. Especially to assemble and disassemble. Great work you have done.
great job didn't think with that price of boat you'd trick it out so well thumbs up!
Do you think cutting the floor board in half would be ok? What about lightening holes in the wood too?
Good ideas. Fantastic job. I've got the same boat and every tool you shoved. Next weekend I will build the same floor as you did. thanks from Canada.
I enjoyed the video, I have no tools to build this but actually I would love to build a canopy for mine, any suggestions?
I build one myself using cheap pvc pipe. I love it.
You can create a bracket for the motor that is connected to your floor. That would probably work even better
It's nice to see someone using thier hands to craft awesome projects!!!
Only way to learn is to apply yourself and do it to it!!! Great job btw and great craftsmanship!!!
How often do you charge byour battery and what charger do you recommend?
I have the same boat with a VERY similar set up to yours! Your video is very detailed and informative; I wish I had seen this while starting my project! Even though mine is already completed I learned a few things by watching this! Awesome video man! Cheers!
Wow, thank you very much Derek! It's amazing all the little modifications you can do with this little boat. I have been having a blast on mine and I hope you are too. Cheers brother!
Hi, i really love your videos, can i have measurement of the wooden floor 🥹 I have an excursion 4, Thanks
I got one of these and a similar thoughts on modifying and upgrading. Seeing it full realized makes me want to do this all the sooner
Great video abd thanks for ur honesty...question do u know how to attach fish finder to it ...
Thanks for the video, I bought this boat a while ago but I never thought I can modify this...👍
A really nice video... no lagging and very informative ... thank u
Thank you Blessy Johns!
I like your video I have same boat isn’t that aggravating though u think your all done and the cable eye doesn’t fit I like how u fixed it
We have space constraints and are considering doing a similar setup. Wondering if a hinged floor concept would work so you have more stability on the water but it folds to half the size for storage and transport. Has anyone done this?
MAY BE LATE BUT YES PEOPLE HAVE DEFINETLY DONE HINGED ONES
sorry for caps lmao im not screaming
I'm building mine similar to yours. My question is.... did you drill small holes in the wood prior to adding the carpet to put the zip ties on?
I owned the same boat years ago, but only used the oars. It gave me many years of enjoyment as the boat was very durable.
Your videos are great. I recommend a $20 lav mic for HUGE audio improvements and an even more impressive production quality.
AMAZING VIDEO!!! 👏 Keep making videos! Very fun to watch. I'm going to attempt this setup soon. 👌
Two questions:
1- how long does a full charged battery last ?
2- how long does it take for the battery to be recharged?
Thanks
Abdullah Barak it depends on how much you use the battery (trolling, charging cell phones etc.) but typically a full battery should get you 4-6 hours and recharge is 6/8 hours.
@@ramsenalbazi7435 thanks a lot for responding
Samsen Balgazi what’s the AH of the battery you use?
Jennifer Wyrick 12 Volt 35AH battery. I’m thinking of getting a battery with better AH so I can go a little further without worrying about the battery dying.
nice video thank you! I uave the same boat and motor. How did you install/extend the 1/2" pipe?
I built one and used a pool noodle under the wooden floor for a keel. Stopped the wind from blowing me around. Works great
love the fishing boat man. It looks really good and lots of fun. Ian from the Uk
Thank you Ian! Cheers from Wisonsin!
I love this video! I am currently working on my build. If you don’t mind me asking what were the dimensions on the box?
Dude that’s sick. Like it. I’m getting one. But just kinda keeping it the way it is. Family stuff
Thanks Falconpunch! Yeah it is definitely a fun boat as is. Lots of fun stuff you can do with; fish, lounge around in it or use it to jump in and out of the lake on hot days! Hope you and your family enjoy your boat and thanks for watching my video!
Make It your welcome. Thanks for your comment
john Lol. Haha. Your profile pic. Made me choke on my food. But ya that does sound like a good idea
Think you could add hinges to the floor so the whole thing will accordian. Potentially small enough to pack into the big box?
I'm wondering how are the zip ties not digging into the vinyl on the edge? After you secure it around the pipe insulation and cut it, isn't there a little nub where the plastic is locked on the zip tie?
Interested to know how it's holding up? Going to make a floor following your method for a seahawk 400 today.
What were the dimensions of your console, including material? I am working this setup over then next few weeks, and want to know material and measurements. Phenomenal job man, this fits everything I am looking for.
Amazing job! Do u have any link to the extensions for the trolling motor mount? Thank u for the time u out into this video
Excellent proyect, but, how long does the battery power lasts and how long does it take to recharge ??
I have the same boat I was wondering where you got the chairs from and how would I be able to obtain that and the battery box
Hey bro, how do you measure the motor when you submerge it into the water, how deep do you submerge the motor/propeller into the water on a 12v motor and do you have a marker on the shaft or motor mount etc, thanks 😊
I'm doing this myself right now but I'm using 3/4" USB since I got it for free I'm wondering would big washers work for the carriage bolts so the seats don't break the OSB?
Hi thank you for the video. Very helpful. We just bought the Excursion 5 but we are struggling with the battery box and the strap as it slips when we carry the box from the top handle. Any tip on what to do to prevent this to happen? Thanks! :)
Great video. You talked about expected longevity of the boat. At least it's a common model and you can pickup spare when needed, or in advance. Rest of build and time spent is perfectly in tact
So the 1/2 inch aluminum rod........ it really really makes the oar locators bend and form to and ugly S shape. Meaning that rod that goes through it deforms the oar hole. Did it do this for you as well and will it ruin the oar hole ?
Awesome set up. I WOULD like to know the make of your boat motor & battery box where to get it and the cost as well as where you purchased your boat seats /set up and the cost. I couldn't open the link you provided so if you can send me that information it would be appreciated.
My son and I did the same mod you did. We want to ad a fish finder. I need a tip on how to mount a transducer
Dudes a engineer, I wanna use those plans and slap two 20 dollar plastic barrels cut in half under it. Might be cheaper then getting the excursion 4 body. Great build!
How has the wood held up to moisture? I've used Rymar Sealer on deck builds for weatherproofing. Im about to start a build and considering using the sealer stain. You done a great job man! Tight lines
Awesome boat build Brother! Maybe you can put a cube type cooler in that nifty box you built?! New Sub!
Super cool. I got their kayak for fishing with my son but now i'm thinking we need more space in the vessel. The kayak has a backpack where you can store and transport, and that one weighs about 39lb. How much does this boat weigh? Does it have a backpack? I love the floor set up and that is really something to think about.
This boat weighs about 45 lbs w/o motor mount.
Dang ive been so close to buying a lil jon boat just bcuz i dnt wnna fish off shire anymre.. but didnt realize how this lil set can work i hve 10 “ raft just sitting n my bin.. so gnna try this!! Lol thnx great vid
What happens if your power runs out half way through your day after excessive use & you’re a good bit away from your launch area, do you carry a spare battery pack?....great conversion though as you’ve shown how to do this for the fraction of the cost of a ready made one.