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 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
*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 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.
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)
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!
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’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
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 $ !!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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 ;)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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!!!
This is genius idea because i want to be able to boatfish but still be able to be highly mobile and in shtf situations i can be lighter and faster and more tactically mobile. If and when that time come and if need be.
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 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!
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!
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
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
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 was wondering whether the motor was at normal cruising speed when you had “Normal Speed” written on the screen and was waiting for “Top Speed” then I realize that the was the video speed lol 😆 but awesome build man 🤙
Thanks for the video!!! I just bought the same boat with pre-made floor, like yours... Previous owner probably watched your video ;) ! I just have to do the rest - seats and console!
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!
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.
$ 190 at a retail e-commerce shop in EU. Bought one on the spot. Immediately made plans for upgrades. Will be using it in Greece over my 2-week vacations. Already got it a petrol engine 1.6bhp from a grass cutter. Interesting stuff. Read 2 books on sailing. Kinda intrigued so far by the concept. Definitely not a reliable object this boat though - it is purely Vinyl + little PVC Not a complete PVC or Drop stitched PVC. I also own 2 kayaks Intex Excursion K1 Pro - they are supremely better products than the Excursion5 series in every sense of the word.
Excellent job! This answers so many questions for a lot of folks who have owned these inflatable rafts and wondered how hard it would be to modify them like you did. The one thing you didn't touch on is that in many states the minute you installed a motor on it you are now required to register the boat and have all the necessary safety gear on board. Great job on the build and video!
Agree. Also no tabs needed! Gas is so expensive as well. Easier to store. Better than my 1st option witch was gas power. I am going to make these upgrades for sure!
Have you looked more into Airdeck SIB's like a Honda honwave etc? Far more durable, the transom would take more, once at the right pressure solid as a rock, Inflatable keel it would also be more maneuver able on Airdeck models, you can put attachable wheel kit on which use wheel barrow type tyres to make it easier to stick it in the drink, comes in various sizes and various floor types. I take mine (3.8m and 15hp 4 stroke ) out the back of the SUV, connect to car battery and pump up to 0.8 bar psi (don't take long with right pump) , clip on wheels n engine, stick gear in and run it down the beach and take it out primarily drifting for mackerel for the day, we also have strong tidal currents which it handles well and is absorbed by the Airdeck. Just a suggestion for you to look at?
Thanks Drummers Club! I want to say this boat holds up to 1000lbs. All the equipment that I used including the trolling motor, battery, plywood etc. is approximately 150-200lbs max. So far, I haven't had an issue with the boat and the 55lb thrust trolling motor that I use moves the boat no problem.
Hi, I see that you cut your floor in 2 which makes sense. I plan to do the same. The next time you have your floor laid out in your garage...it would be awesome if you made a template ( on paper, foldable, mailable)for others to use. Your's looks perfect. I, and I would like to think many others, would pay to have a ready template to attack their 4×8 treated plywood sheet with. If you made a proper template that you could sell and mail to people...that would be great. I, personally, would be easily willing to buy that outline off you for $20. That's reasonable I think. You could sell it to many people judging on all these "floor mod" posts.😊😊
My apologies, duh...you didn't cut your floor in half. I've watched so many of these floor making vids that I got confused. Still think it would be a great idea for you to make a paper template of your floor lol. Would make it so much easier for a dummy like me😂
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 .
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 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
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 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 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?
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
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!
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
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!
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 $ !!!
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
Can you speak to the longevity after a year now?
I just purchased the exact same setup motor wise.
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’m barely halfway and this is brilliantly done.
Great Video, well explained, well edited and the 3x's speed was real nice - wow
I bought my Sevylor Fish Hunter 360 in 2001 and still have 'n use it! It's been pretty handy over the years.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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 ;)
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Thank you you have me seriously considering making some variation of this 🙂
Well I have been having a blast with mine and if you do decide to build one your self good luck!!
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.
Awesome build, I’m amazed it can handle the additional weight
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 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.
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.
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.
Thanks for the video, I bought this boat a while ago but I never thought I can modify this...👍
Dude made it a freaking luxury boat. Well done man!
Dude, great fkn idea. This is definitely worth it. Honestly, should last at least 3 years fishing 4 times a month.....
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!!!
You can create a bracket for the motor that is connected to your floor. That would probably work even better
This is genius idea because i want to be able to boatfish but still be able to be highly mobile and in shtf situations i can be lighter and faster and more tactically mobile. If and when that time come and if need be.
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 built one and used a pool noodle under the wooden floor for a keel. Stopped the wind from blowing me around. Works great
What a great modification video, appreciate the links in description too!
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!
Lol you're crazy crafty .. I need be this handy lol
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!
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.
good job you inspire me so much, thank you from Mongolia 🇲🇳
great job didn't think with that price of boat you'd trick it out so well thumbs up!
I love this you should start a shop I wish I had some to do my inflatable boat I just got yesterday
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
Great vid given me some ideas with my rib from over here in england
I like the console idea. May try that on my Fish Hunter. 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
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
Building one now. I’m excited
love the fishing boat man. It looks really good and lots of fun. Ian from the Uk
Thank you Ian! Cheers from Wisonsin!
man I got to do this, will send you pictures. Thanks so much for TOTAL details on setup.
Your videos are great. I recommend a $20 lav mic for HUGE audio improvements and an even more impressive production quality.
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
I was wondering whether the motor was at normal cruising speed when you had “Normal Speed” written on the screen and was waiting for “Top Speed” then I realize that the was the video speed lol 😆 but awesome build man 🤙
AMAZING VIDEO!!! 👏 Keep making videos! Very fun to watch. I'm going to attempt this setup soon. 👌
Thanks for the video! Any chance you can post the dimensions of the finished floor? Thanks.
Wow. great worksmanship too.
Thanks for the video!!! I just bought the same boat with pre-made floor, like yours... Previous owner probably watched your video ;) ! I just have to do the rest - seats and console!
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!
Had my boat for 3yrs. Still good!
Brilliant bro! I'm gonna try this out as soon as I get a chance.. super cool man great job!
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.
$ 190 at a retail e-commerce shop in EU. Bought one on the spot. Immediately made plans for upgrades.
Will be using it in Greece over my 2-week vacations. Already got it a petrol engine 1.6bhp from a grass cutter. Interesting stuff.
Read 2 books on sailing. Kinda intrigued so far by the concept. Definitely not a reliable object this boat though - it is purely Vinyl + little PVC
Not a complete PVC or Drop stitched PVC. I also own 2 kayaks Intex Excursion K1 Pro - they are supremely better products than the Excursion5 series in every sense of the word.
I’ve been using mine since 2014.
Still holds air ?
El Gato Negro lol 😂
Just on a lake? U think it would hold up on the coast?
how often?
Excellent job! This answers so many questions for a lot of folks who have owned these inflatable rafts and wondered how hard it would be to modify them like you did. The one thing you didn't touch on is that in many states the minute you installed a motor on it you are now required to register the boat and have all the necessary safety gear on board. Great job on the build and video!
Most states don’t require you to register a boat with a motor under 10hp, that is why they make a 9.9hp motor.
man thats legit, i like it. ill be doing this soon.
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.
Dang! I got to have one, I can buy the same boat but the conversion man...Subs here.
Wooow! Good idea and good job! Thank you for this video!
This is so fire your super dope 🔥 hope u enjoyed and still enjoying
It also takes about 20-30 minutes to off load an actual boat and go park the truck and trailer. So it's about the same
and can be a pain to do by yourself.
yes, may be more time ... and also the risk with a real heavy boat, transport and storing etc....
an actual boat costs 10-50k USD, takes up a lot of space when not used, and is a money sink with constant maintenance, you are stupid
Not everyone has a truck….
Agree. Also no tabs needed! Gas is so expensive as well. Easier to store. Better than my 1st option witch was gas power. I am going to make these upgrades for sure!
Excellent video, idea and presentation
You are a genius my brotha.
If you feel like you're stretching to use throttle on trolling motor you can use a couple ft. Piece of PVC to extend it
Have you looked more into Airdeck SIB's like a Honda honwave etc?
Far more durable, the transom would take more, once at the right pressure solid as a rock, Inflatable keel it would also be more maneuver able on Airdeck models, you can put attachable wheel kit on which use wheel barrow type tyres to make it easier to stick it in the drink, comes in various sizes and various floor types.
I take mine (3.8m and 15hp 4 stroke ) out the back of the SUV, connect to car battery and pump up to 0.8 bar psi (don't take long with right pump) , clip on wheels n engine, stick gear in and run it down the beach and take it out primarily drifting for mackerel for the day, we also have strong tidal currents which it handles well and is absorbed by the Airdeck.
Just a suggestion for you to look at?
Best I have seen. Smart Boat Guy! Thank you for your creative ideas. Any idea of "weight capacity " for the inflatable boat?
Thanks Drummers Club! I want to say this boat holds up to 1000lbs. All the equipment that I used including the trolling motor, battery, plywood etc. is approximately 150-200lbs max. So far, I haven't had an issue with the boat and the 55lb thrust trolling motor that I use moves the boat no problem.
Awesome boat build Brother! Maybe you can put a cube type cooler in that nifty box you built?! New Sub!
Hi, I see that you cut your floor in 2 which makes sense. I plan to do the same. The next time you have your floor laid out in your garage...it would be awesome if you made a template ( on paper, foldable, mailable)for others to use. Your's looks perfect. I, and I would like to think many others, would pay to have a ready template to attack their 4×8 treated plywood sheet with.
If you made a proper template that you could sell and mail to people...that would be great.
I, personally, would be easily willing to buy that outline off you for $20. That's reasonable I think.
You could sell it to many people judging on all these "floor mod" posts.😊😊
My apologies, duh...you didn't cut your floor in half. I've watched so many of these floor making vids that I got confused. Still think it would be a great idea for you to make a paper template of your floor lol.
Would make it so much easier for a dummy like me😂