Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Boom Boat Rev2

I decided to upgrade my tin boat, an all welded Grizzly Tracker 1448, and my DIY spray boom I periodically use. Over the last 3 years, blue green algae hasn't given me any option to kill nuisance plants because I needed them to absorb all the nutrients in the pond. We're getting close to fall, and unless we get some rain, there will not be a third hay cut, and I still won't be able to spray do to the dropping water level.

Short story long. Welded tin boat built like a tank, an 8' spray boom that runs on a 1" venturi system , and a very loud 2 cycle gas powered 1" clean water pump. An 11 acre shallow pond that usually has around 20% of plants and hard cover, but presently has about 40% to 50% plant coverage. It's been setting under our tractor shed for the last few years and it does need some help.

It'll be redone in my spare time.

This is the victim. First thing is strip all the electronics, remove everything not nailed down, and then give it a mani-pedi.


This was the venturi system.


This was the 3 drop 8" boom.


2 batteries an a Minnkota charger was in the rear of the boat.

I'm not 100% certain, but I think we may have the same exact boat. You are 100% right on the built like a tank!

Looks like the project is going well. I hope your nuisance vegetation is quaking down to its roots fearing the time when you deploy your fully-operational Deathstar boom boat.

The trolling motor on the boat was wire driven for pontoons. I thought having the 12 volt fly by wire cable would let me work the sprayer and drive from the back of the boat at the same time. Poor choice on my part. I've used toe and heel trolling motors for almost 50 years, and the side to side pedal just didn't work for me. I added a more beefy 24 volt Minn Kota, got it wired up, and am now waiting for 5/16" ring connectors for the batteries and the in-line breaker.

After this, I'll make a tray for the 2 batteries.

Looking good all cleaned up! I've been thinking about the trolling motor too on our rig. Currently has a 12v with pedal up front but wondering if a rear mounted might be easier for out little pond.

My son found a video of an engineer that put a gear assembly in the handlebar riser of a bike, such that the bike steered the exact opposite of the way you turned the handlebars. Adults were NOT capable of riding that bike! Their muscle memory was too entrenched and they steered out of balance every time. (I found that very enlightening as regards old dogs like me and new tricks.)

My real point: I have never used any of the trolling motors where you can program a path based on GPS waypoints. However, if you are going to replace a trolling motor in the future, might it be worth the additional cost if that would give you a self-driving boat while your worked in the back?

IIRC, Bruce Condello had one of those tracking trolling motors years ago. Sunil would remember if it did. I was there the night that there was 16 people on a 12' pontoon, and most were sitting on slippery aluminum lawn chairs no less. My spidey senses said to get my keys, wallet, and phone, over dry land because it's a long walk from Lincoln NE to Hooterville TX.

All the 24 volt wiring is done, and nothing started smoking.

I finished the battery tray. I used scraps from the shop, and only bought a couple HF $2 tread stickems for softening the ride.


24 volt set up. I haven't decided how to handle the breaker and the NOCO charger yet, but I will at some point. If you look at the bottom, I added horse stall mats to the rear compartment and the floor of the boat. It's thick, cheap, and helps the boat be quiet if something drops.

New spray boom bar next.

Take the Pixley bypass.