by Captain Bouncer Smith
I had used this same model boat for over 10 years as a charter boat in Miami. It is a huge small boat.
Over the next couple pages we will look at making a small boat as “big” as possible. In small boats or large, you must always be on the lookout for storage space. In Steve’s boat, storage is at the maximum. His boat has a big cabin that with some planning will hold a ton of tackle, but still allow room to grab a nap. The center of the bunk in his cabin lifts out to reveal a box that is 2’X3’ wide and 2’ deep. This area is perfect for tool boxes, tackle boxes and bulk items. Under both side cushions there are smaller hatches perfect for storing smaller covered tackle trays and spare reels or parts. We installed multiple rod racks that you usually see mounted for vertical storage in the horizontal position at the aft end of both side bulkheads of the cabin. You can hang half a dozen rods on each side using these racks. You can even grab these rods from the racks without entering the cabin, especially handy when rushing to cast to fish. Jackets, spare clothes and rain gear are stored in duffle bags and make great pillows for overnight sleeping or to catch that post giant fish nap.
On the rear deck of Steve’s cabin, tucked partially under the main deck, you will find a dependable and, hopefully, never needed life raft.
On any center-console fishing machine the T-top serves many purposes beyond the much needed shade they provide. Steve has Lee Outriggers mounted on top of his T-top. Of course, these are operated from below the top making deploying the outriggers a breeze. Across the rear of the T-top there are six rod holders welded in place. On the starboard rear leg of the T-top you will find a lift eye welded near the top. We secured a block and tackle to the lift eye to make easy work of hauling a 250-pound mako shark aboard the boat.
I was extra impressed this summer when I discover a second radio box bolted under the T-top behind the helm seat. Now Steve has electronics in the forward overhead radio box and covered tackle trays in the aft overhead radio box. Aft of the second radio box there is still room for a hammock-style storage sling to hold life jackets where they are handy enough to save a life.
Ten years ago Joe Singer stole my idea of using beer “huggies” to protect 1/4-pound spools of line. He secured six huggies to a strip of starboard and tie wrapped the strip to the braces under my T-top. This makes monofilament leader material from 20- to 100-pound tests as handy as possible. It prevents tangles as the line is always secure. The huggies also protects the line from the sun. And it uses space never used before.
Over the next couple pages we will look at making a small boat as “big” as possible. In small boats or large, you must always be on the lookout for storage space. In Steve’s boat, storage is at the maximum. His boat has a big cabin that with some planning will hold a ton of tackle, but still allow room to grab a nap. The center of the bunk in his cabin lifts out to reveal a box that is 2’X3’ wide and 2’ deep. This area is perfect for tool boxes, tackle boxes and bulk items. Under both side cushions there are smaller hatches perfect for storing smaller covered tackle trays and spare reels or parts. We installed multiple rod racks that you usually see mounted for vertical storage in the horizontal position at the aft end of both side bulkheads of the cabin. You can hang half a dozen rods on each side using these racks. You can even grab these rods from the racks without entering the cabin, especially handy when rushing to cast to fish. Jackets, spare clothes and rain gear are stored in duffle bags and make great pillows for overnight sleeping or to catch that post giant fish nap.
On the rear deck of Steve’s cabin, tucked partially under the main deck, you will find a dependable and, hopefully, never needed life raft.
On any center-console fishing machine the T-top serves many purposes beyond the much needed shade they provide. Steve has Lee Outriggers mounted on top of his T-top. Of course, these are operated from below the top making deploying the outriggers a breeze. Across the rear of the T-top there are six rod holders welded in place. On the starboard rear leg of the T-top you will find a lift eye welded near the top. We secured a block and tackle to the lift eye to make easy work of hauling a 250-pound mako shark aboard the boat.
I was extra impressed this summer when I discover a second radio box bolted under the T-top behind the helm seat. Now Steve has electronics in the forward overhead radio box and covered tackle trays in the aft overhead radio box. Aft of the second radio box there is still room for a hammock-style storage sling to hold life jackets where they are handy enough to save a life.
Ten years ago Joe Singer stole my idea of using beer “huggies” to protect 1/4-pound spools of line. He secured six huggies to a strip of starboard and tie wrapped the strip to the braces under my T-top. This makes monofilament leader material from 20- to 100-pound tests as handy as possible. It prevents tangles as the line is always secure. The huggies also protects the line from the sun. And it uses space never used before.
