Well some of you guys would know I have had a 4.9 m quintrex jon boat sitting in my back yard for a while.
Well I am finally going to get my finger out and make a Bream/bass boat out of it. Some guys call it the CRAB boat .
I bought myself a 2003 40hp Tohatsu motor, elect start ( cause I couldn't pull the cord to start a motor ) with forward controls. This means i will be making a side,or centre console for it, so have to start thinking of some designs, will be making this out of alloy.
I will be needing to buy a few sheets of flooring ply so anyone got any contacts ? , also will be needing a wire expert to do all my wiring for me ( cause I always end up with 10000 wires that look like a untidy birds nest, this will be one of the last jobs, just before the carpeting.
I will buy all the stuff and have it at hand so whoever wants to do the job for me will have to tell me exactly what I need or get it all and I just give them the $$$$ .
I bought the motor from up near yamba, so will be driving up there to pick it up sometime during the week ( anyone want to come for a drive ) and before you tell me it's a long way to drive to pick it up, and I would be better off just getting it transported down, I have my reasons for wanting to pick it up myself.
Well I will probably be keeping you's informed of the progress as I go, ( that is if anyone is interested ) so watch this space during the next few months. I hope to have the thing done by xmas.

sounds great frank, keep us posted,


does the motor have tilt and trim ???

Sounds great Frank.. And I'm always interested Need lots of pics mate Makes it easier to steal ideas

I cant help you with either of those items for your boat, but if you need anything in aluminium, hulls excluded Give me a bell

Matter of fact is I will be needing to buy quiet a bit of alloy, for side gunwales and for the structure of the floors etc etc etc.
i do have some sheet here, but am always in the market for checker plate.
Is this the type of alloy you are refering to ?.

Quinnie. No mate it doesn't have power tilt/trim have to lift the motor by hand. Might see if I can get a small tilt unit to fit.

good stuff frank that will keep ya bussy cant wait to see the pics

Plywood well yah come to the right place, I have a special on this month on 2440x1220x18mm BS1088 marine plywood $95.00 per sheet including gst.and if that's your location we are only 5 minutes away at Rosehill.

Frank once you work out what electronics are going where I'll organise to get over with soldering iron and tool bag in hand to get it sorted for you-been doing that stuff for years and am a little fussy with keeping it all out of sight and mind!

Yes, anything like that Frank.. angles, box, plate, tube.. Just tell me exactly what you want, so i'm not running around, and i'll get it done for you Most of it will just take a phone call.

Hi Frank,
It's good to hear that you're up and at it again after you're bad spell, Mate if you want to make a detour via Manilla on you're way to and from Yamba, you are welcome to come and get some FREE accommodation,
I would also be happy to draw you a Wiring diagram and guide you as to what wiring you need to purchase,
Hell I would even take the trip over to Yamba and back with you. the trip might be a little longer (150k each way)but Rest assured it would be worthwhile.

Definatly keep us posted mate...

Pics would be great!

Just yolla out item by item when time comes I have a good idea where to buy things @ decent prices

ps] Allways pays to visit scap metal yards if looking for alloy you'd be suprised what some of them have lying around

Frank good luck with the project mate!
far out i love this site! look at how people are coming together to help others members!

Bit off topic on your boat Frank but let me know when you're off to Yamba, got some great lo9cal knowledge on a nice jewie hole up there if you're only taking the little boat!

this is going to be good, frank i read your reply to my question on the other sight and it sounds like u have it all worked out, i am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Jeeze guys you are all so helpful, I will call on all your services as needed.
Jason just going up to pick up the motor and probably drop in and see a couple of mates while I'm up that way, won't be doing any fishing.

Fair enough Frank, after my annual trips up there over the last 5yrs I finally got a little local knowledge from a fellow up there and there is a top little spot under a road bridge on the way to Yamba Town-centre.....I only caught some big Stingrays and a bull shark there last January but hope to hook into a Jew this coming January!

On the wiring front mate I can access the wire and all connectors @ trade price for you....will recommend the same I'v used for my fish finder and radio which is a red/black inside a black outer-can also get a 4 core of red/black/white/green if needed, excellent for salt use, I'v got plenty of heat shrink tubing so will drop round when you're ready to measure up and get it all fitted! I think we could even use your battery switch if you are planning on running two!

I was not sure of where Yamba was so I searched for it and found that it is way up North. That is going to be quite a trip.

Would be interesting to see how you go with your boat.

frank when u have the new boat ready will u be using it in comps or is it just a fun boat for yourself

Yamba is a beautiful spot Christos, bout an hour from grafton to the west and Byron Bay to the north.....Takes bout 9hrs to get there.....Plenty of big bream around, flatties and whiting.....Prime mud crab spots too, well worth a trip mate!

I might consider going.

Well worth the trip Christos, top little van park right on the Clarence-called 'Fishermans village'-you can tie your boat up on the river! Pleasant accommodation @ a very good price!

Illuka, accross the river isn't bad Jas. Pub's great as well..

how's she coming Frank

Had a fantastic trip up and back. called in to Sumo's on thursday and stayed the night with him and family, fabulous family and they made me welcome, had a great fish meal and a good sleep and then off to glen innes and on to maclean where I picked up the motor.
Got it sitting on the back of the boat but not bolted up yet.
Have to make a console and buy all the steering gear, I have stuff laying around here I could probably utilise and get away with but thought for what it's worth, I will get all new stuff for it. That way it will probably see my fishing days out without any trouble.
Tell you what I was very tempted to stay a couple of extra days cause the rivers up there looked very inviting.

awsome stuff frank !