Pond Prowler cleanup project starts now!

[mrstangblb]

Just got back from talking to the guy about his old Pond Prowler, and he was super nice and very helpful. His Granddad bought this boat new 13 years ago for them to use on his pond, so they never titled it.

 

It hasn’t been used much but has been sitting a long time with a small crack on the upper rim and a bump on the corner that you can see in the pictures in my truck - but he even had the cracked plastic pieces we can put back together, so that will make it easier.

 

This thing was pretty heavy - we didn’t hear water sloshing around in it, but I wonder if it has water in it from a long time back. I need to turn it up and see what drains out. I’m praying it will be worth the $95 a friend and I put in it, but I think it will be. He signed a bill of sale with the info on it, but I doubt we'll ever try to title it. If we need to later on at least we can hassle with DNR with the info I have now.

 

I’m headed out to eat tonight, so I will be rednecking it with a boat in the back of the truck tonight. ?‍♀️ ?

[MN Fisher]

Did he lose the seats or do you have them inside the truck?

[mrstangblb]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Did he lose the seats or do you have them inside the truck?

They’re in the truck. He painted them bright green so I plan to Krylon camo paint them.

[mrstangblb]

Whew... this thing IS heavy. The foam in the pontoons may be saturated on one side, I’m afraid, after just watching a YouTube video of taking one apart because of saturated foam that weighed 100 pounds on each side. 

 

It seems only one side is that saturated, but goodness sakes - how long would that foam take to dry out?

[Crankin4Bass]

You shouldn't be using bungie straps to hold the boat. If one of those snaps, the boat will go flying out of the truck and possible kill someone. Buy some cam lock straps, ratchet straps or rope.

[mrstangblb]

21 minutes ago, Crankin4Bass said:

You shouldn't be using bungie straps to hold the boat. If one of those snaps, the boat will go flying out of the truck and possible kill someone. Buy some cam lock straps, ratchet straps or rope.

I understand what you’re saying - but I had 4 of them plus 2 ropes tied on each side as well.

[Dens228]

After years of water seeping in through that hole and soaking I'd say it'll take just about forever for it to dry through that same hole. 

[Crankin4Bass]

24 minutes ago, mrstangblb said:

I understand what you’re saying - but I had 4 of them plus 2 ropes tied on each side as well.

The problem with bungies is that they are not strong enough or reliable. They are good for holding down your milk crate in a yak, but not holding down a boat. What if you get in an accident and they snap? That rope doesn't look very thick.

 

Please read these two pages and google "why not to use bungies."

 

https://www.discountramps.com/tie-downs-vs-bungees/a/B33/

 

https://www.discountramps.com/tie-down-straps-basics/a/B34/

 

You should own some ratchet straps if you have a truck. They are not expensive.

 

PS: Congrats on your boat!

[mrstangblb]

1 minute ago, Crankin4Bass said:

The problem with bungies is that they are not strong enough or reliable. They are good for holding down your milk crate in a yak, but not holding down a boat. What if you get in an accident and they snap? That rope doesn't look very thick.

 

Please read these two pages and google "why not to use bungies."

 

https://www.discountramps.com/tie-downs-vs-bungees/a/B33/

 

https://www.discountramps.com/tie-down-straps-basics/a/B34/

 

You should own some ratchet straps if you have a truck. They are not expensive.

 

PS: Congrats on your boat!

Thank you! Yeah, I’m going to ratchet strap it today.

18 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

After years of water seeping in through that hole and soaking I'd say it'll take just about forever for it to dry through that same hole. 

That’s what I am thinking, so I hope and pray I can get the guy to give my money back today. Sometimes I have to learn the hard way...

[Alinson arias]

How do you open the pond prowler I have one that’s waterlogged as well but don’t know how to open it

[airshot]

The top and bottom seperate, not real easy, but doable.  The foam will never dry out, so cleaning out the old and replacing it is the only way.

[Bazoo]

9 hours ago, Alinson arias said:

How do you open the pond prowler I have one that’s waterlogged as well but don’t know how to open it

Howdy and welcome to BassResource. I have a thread about a similar boat, and there is a link to the way they were constructed. The top and bottom are attached together with 250+ staples. Might have butyl tape too.

 

I haven't split my hull yet, but I have removed the livewell and done some exploration.

20 minutes ago, airshot said:

The top and bottom seperate, not real easy, but doable.  The foam will never dry out, so cleaning out the old and replacing it is the only way.

When I do mine, I'm considering vacuum packing the foam so that it doesn't take on water again.