Sun Dolphin Pro 120 Owners Discussion

[mmargoli]

I know there have been contributors who have suggested not to buy this boat and get a metal boat, I am not interested in that debate.  I started this thread in the hopes of starting an ongoing discussion among Sun Dolphin Pro 120 owners to share modification ideas, ask questions, and make suggestions for those of us who own this boat.   I am a brand new owner and would really be interested in hearing from any of you who enjoy this boat and have optimized it over the years.   

 

Below is what I have done to my boat:

• 1 105AH 29DC battery for now
• MK Edge 45 up front
• MK Endura Max 55 in the back
  • drilled hole under rear deck into battery compartment 
  • Added rubber grommet on both sides of hole and ran small piece of electrical conduit for the trolling motor wires into the compartment
  • Added 50a breaker to positive side
• Mounted telescopic oars to inside top cover of live well using broom clamps
• Sealed seams between drain plug housings and boat with marine sealent
• Velcro'd box for drain plugs to be stored to inside top cover of battery compartment
• Added hole plug with marine sealent to oar locks to eliminate water from entering
• Added buckle strap to hold down trolling motor pedal while on highway
• Fabricated pvc pipe trolling motor stabilizer for rear TM for transporting on highway

[Dirtyeggroll]

Put an outboard on it. You really don’t need much in the way of modifications for that boat. It comes as a pretty complete setup.

 

I had a Basshound 10.2 which a similar smaller version of that boat and put a casting deck and outboard on it and fished it all over the place. Since yours already has the casting platforms, the outboard is all you need.

[RickB]

Hey mmargoli, how have you enjoyed your PRO 120. Been looking at these for over a year and have yet to pull the trigger (going to this fall I'm pretty sure). Was thinking the same thing about putting a TM on the back to help in loading. Does the 55 have enough umph to push it up on the trailer.

 

Thanks

[RickB]

looks like I may bite the bullet on one of these, 30 miles from home. 2016 model w/trailer, 55# TM, battery, and Lowrance fish finder (mod# unknown) all for $1500.00. Going to look at it Saturday if all looks good I'll be pulling it home.

[Dirtyeggroll]

On 8/21/2019 at 11:08 AM, RickB said:

looks like I may bite the bullet on one of these, 30 miles from home. 2016 model w/trailer, 55# TM, battery, and Lowrance fish finder (mod# unknown) all for $1500.00. Going to look at it Saturday if all looks good I'll be pulling it home.

 

On 8/16/2019 at 3:33 PM, RickB said:

Hey mmargoli, how have you enjoyed your PRO 120. Been looking at these for over a year and have yet to pull the trigger (going to this fall I'm pretty sure). Was thinking the same thing about putting a TM on the back to help in loading. Does the 55 have enough umph to push it up on the trailer.

 

Thanks

I doubt a 55lb motor has enough umph to push it up on the trailer. You can certainly float it on to the trailer though. The old Evinrude Fisherman outboards can be found in 5.5 hp and 10 hp models and do really well on these boats.

 

Getting one of these is the doorway to wanting a big boat. You will enjoy it!

 

[RickB]

This will be my 4th water craft, 14ft john that made me want something bigger.

16ft Bass tracker, then I found out that I don't like the big impoundments with all of the pleasure boat traffic.

Dropped down to a 8ft Bass Hunter which I had for many years fishing farm pods then sold.

Now looking to get back on the water and fish electric only lakes. Have 2 real close, 174 acres and 70 acres.

Hopefully this will fill my need to get back out on the water without wanting something bigger.

 

[@reelChris]

Has anyone found an inexpensive cover for a 120?  The fitted model is $190 on various sites but best mixed reviews.  I looked at a few "universal" covers for V-hull boats, but I'm not sure they'll fit.  

[Hoppy93]

Has anyone ever tried to separate the top and bottom halves of one of these. I just bought one 2 months ago and it's an older version (1993) and the previous owner had sealed the bottom drain plug so no water was being removed and sitting in the boat(between the top and bottom half). When I removed it I got about 12 gallons out of it. Also I am wanting to rewire it and I have bought a new 4 gang rocker switch to replace the factory one. I'm looking for answers and after weeks of trying this is the first discussion board I have found. 

 

[jleet19]

Has anyone added a bilge pump to it? I'm thinking of adding one to my sun dolphin pro 120 but not sure where/how to install  it.  Was actually wondering if the 2 halves can be separated as well. I wouldn't want to cut multiple holes in it. Any info would help. 

[jleet19]

On 12/2/2019 at 12:09 PM, Hoppy93 said:

Has anyone ever tried to separate the top and bottom halves of one of these. I just bought one 2 months ago and it's an older version (1993) and the previous owner had sealed the bottom drain plug so no water was being removed and sitting in the boat(between the top and bottom half). When I removed it I got about 12 gallons out of it. Also I am wanting to rewire it and I have bought a new 4 gang rocker switch to replace the factory one. I'm looking for answers and after weeks of trying this is the first discussion board I have found. 

 

Wondering if you ended up trying to take the boat apart (top and bottom halves).  I'm considering trying to install a small bilge pump.  I just don't want to cut too many holes.  Thought of trying to separate the halves. Wondered if you had any luck. 

[@reelChris]

On 3/30/2020 at 9:04 AM, jleet19 said:

Has anyone added a bilge pump to it? I'm thinking of adding one to my sun dolphin pro 120 but not sure where/how to install  it.  Was actually wondering if the 2 halves can be separated as well. I wouldn't want to cut multiple holes in it. Any info would help. 

I've never looked at a newer model 120, but if they have the same access hatch as the old ones, you can add a bilge pump through the floor into the lower half right by the drain plug in the stern.  So long as the pump reaches the bottom, it will draw water out of the lower half.  This one pictured pumps the water overboard in an effective but somewhat inelegant manner.  It's wired into one of the accessory switches on the gunnel.  There's no automatic mode.     

These photos show the extension of the pump into the lower half (and some gross spray foam), including the depth at which the pump will scavenge vs. the drain plug.  

[MilesS]

I need advice please. Thinking about buying Pro 120, but not sure if I will be able to push it in and out of my backyard. Our HoA doesn’t let trailer parking in the front, so I will need to manually push it through lawn 70 yards around the house into the backyard each time. Is it going to be too heavy? 

[@reelChris]

I guess it depends on what weight motor and trailer you have, but they're not very tough to push around by hand, especially if the trailer has a wheeled trailer jack.  I've moved one by myself with a 10 horse 2 stroke, 12v battery and front mounted foot control trolling motor without a trailer jack with very little problem.

[docwaters]

I need the threaded drain plug for my 120 and can't find one online. Any suggestions or description that might work as a replacement?

[Gator_Bait]

Interesting thread. I'm thinking about one of these small boats also. Will be watching ? with great interest!

 

 

[Fishman831]

On 5/19/2020 at 5:41 PM, docwaters said:

I need the threaded drain plug for my 120 and can't find one online. Any suggestions or description that might work as a replacement?

Hey guys new owner here! Thanks for starting the thread! Doc...https://sundolphin.com/parts-support/

ordered a cover from here, not sure how reputable it is, but gave it a shot! Question- any recs on how/where to install fish finder? Have a helix 7 g3n I’m gonna throw on this bad boy.

[Fishman831]

Update, website above is legit. Ordered a cover and extra drain plugs, just got here today. 

[TimmyK]

Thanks for this discussion group. I just purchased my third Sun Dolphin Pro 120. The previous 2 were sold under the delusion that a bigger boat is better. Wrong! I now live on a small lake in NH and this boat is perfect. Still working on getting this one set up. Will post some pictures soon. My trailer came with a winch in answer to the question about getting it up onto the trailer and it works well. I am installing my Minn Kota three bay battery charger as I like to keep two batteries in the boat, one being a smaller AGM in my custom made waterproof powerbox. I also have a couple of pole holders that the previous owner jury rigged up. I am curious about the replacement electrical panel mentioned by one responder. Can you tell me what you found that fit? I prefer to keep the 50 amp fuse in the battery compartment. One warning. Remove your battery when trailering. This boat had some repair done to the battery compartment floor due to the heavy marine battery bouncing around.

[OCdockskipper]

On 9/11/2019 at 11:35 AM, @reelChris said:

Has anyone found an inexpensive cover for a 120?  The fitted model is $190 on various sites but best mixed reviews.  I looked at a few "universal" covers for V-hull boats, but I'm not sure they'll fit.  

The universal covers are only good for keeping dust off while it is stored in a covered area.  Water will penetrate it and wind will blow it down the street.

 

I keep my Pond Prowler on the water year round, so I decided to get a really good cover to protect it.  I had a guy who makes covers for saltwater dingys custom fabricate one for me.  It cost me $500, but has served me for 6 years and keeps the interior of the boat immaculate no matter the weather.  It will easily last me another 4 years, so I look at it as costing me $50/yr.

[Southcoast Bassin]

Can anyone offer any advice as to where I can purchase a pro 120 from ?

Not sure who has the best price?

Also has anyone loaded one in the back of a pickup instead of a trailer ?

[Wade Duncan]

Yep, I’m a Sun Dolphin Pro 120 wannabe. I have a larger bass boat, but crave a Pro 120. Anybody in Oklahoma or North Texas know of one for sale? I’ve constantly watched  Marketplace and Craig’s List for a couple of years. But have not found a newer one reasonably priced. HELP! I’m very happy to have found you guys. 

[Catherine]

Hello, I just purchased a used sun dolphin pro 120. It has no deck. Does anyone have a template for the rear deck of this boat?

Thanks!

Catherine

[Ludaone]

I need a picture of the control panel wiring please. I unplugged all of them and don’t know how to put it back in the order it came from the factory.

[Angler13]

Hey everyone, so glad to find this Sun Dolphin Pro 120 forum! I think I might be able to share a bit of info with my experience. First, I got my Pro 120 in 2012, and have added a 20 inch deck extension to the back deck, with a 30 gallon livewell under it. I added an extra control panel to control two new FlowRite pumps. One to pull water into the new livewell, another for recirculation. My bass are super healty at the scales. I've also added a bilge pump, and mounted a fish finder to the from deck. I fish a lot of electric only lakes, so I've been able to beat the big fiberglass boats to spots during tournaments, and have taken first with lunker (by myself!) with this little plastic tub on several occasions. It's awesome. I've had it for 10 years, and am just now replacing the decks as they've rotted out (I've kept it outside) so, I should be able to get a deck template for anyone who is interested. I typed this post hastily, but I'll bookmark this page to see if anyone is interested in pics or templates, etc.

 

Tight lines!

-Mark

[Glenn]

On 2/10/2021 at 6:07 PM, Ludaone said:

I need a picture of the control panel wiring please. I unplugged all of them and don’t know how to put it back in the order it came from the factory.

Did you contact SunDolphin? https://sundolphin.com/parts-support/

 

1 hour ago, Angler13 said:

I should be able to get a deck template for anyone who is interested.

 

There's a post a couple of posts up from somebody looking for a template.