read this thread first to see how this project started out. i would of continued this topic in that thread but it is archived.
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/24455-manhattan-boat-project-foldcat/
every time i took this boat out, i would come up with an improvement. some took longer to implement than others.
one of the biggest issues was tracking, when going straight the boat would much of the time need to be pointing off 45* in one direction and the motor 45* in the opposite direction, this obviously would not do. i needed something like a fixed rudder to help it track. living in NYC making anything is not easy without access to a proper shop (for most of you a garage or yard) so i would need to find find something and adapt it. came up with the idea of using a skimboard, flat except for the tip, slim and treated for use in water. sawed the tip off, and used an old clamp from a transducer set up to make it attach to the boat, this alone improved performance ten fold. added the transducer and gps on top of each other to increase mapping accuracy.
the other addition to help with tracking was a 24v 80# terrova ipilot link. a little much for the boat, but i was draining a single battery with the 12v setup with my 12 hour outings , and if im gonna carry two batteries i might as well go with 24v. speed wise i only gained 1mph, i guess this is where the laws of diminishing returns kick in, the added weight of battery and heavier motor negate most of the added thrust. but the autopilot on the motor is the final nail in the coffin for the tracking issues, this motor takes care of that and more. will also be shortening the shaft by a foot or so when the warranty runs out.
another great addition was the mantis umbrella set up, a bit pricey for what it is, but performs exceptionally well with my set up. its there when i need it for rain or sun, and out of the way when i don't. can sit and cast fine and can even stand flip the seat around and extend it and still be covered, and does not hinder casting in the least. can even close half of it if i want to overhand cast. also makes a decent camera mount.
was also able to use the seat mount adapter to rig out an aluminum bar that holds the ram mount for the humminbird unit, so it spins with seat.
i upgraded the hbird (previous unit didnt have ethernet to communicate with terrova) and moved it off the cooler setup and using a ram mount and a little rigging, attached it to the side of the seat, kind of gives it that whole star trek captains chair feel, and opens up the space for the rods.
for the rods i used a bac rac, which helps keep the gear secure, elevated off the boat (lessens boat rash), and easily accessible.
now i just need to wait for lakemasters autochart to come out so i can map the lakes i fish, and make full use of the terrova and hbird link combo.
next upgrade, a better seat.
add a tackle bag and lunchbox, and good to go. note the umbrella in stowed position.
just a nice magic hour shot while dismantling.
