Log repair/motor pod update

[Tlowry]

Howdy, long time no sea... (sorry, couldn't help it)

Anyhoo, after buying a new boat for the lake last summer, I decided to give the 20' Monarck to the kids to keep the dents out of the new toon. I hauled it home this weekend to address some log mount weld cracks that started leaking pretty bad. While I have it at the house, I wanted to address some issued with the motor pod. The stock pod is really too light for the 50FS Bigfoot I re-powered the boat with a few years back and some of the welds on it have cracked too.

After a little looking around on the interweb, I located a brand new pod with a 35 gal poly tank that was a take-off from a new toon that got damaged at a real good price. It looks just like the one under my new Tracker 22DLX, even has that stoopid little 'V' thingy on the bottom that will be promptly removed upon arrival.



I am expecting to gain three things with the switch.

1. More robust mount with less flex.

2. Moving the tank from on-deck to the waterline for less ass-squat at rest.

3. Moving the tank from on-deck left to waterline center for less list.

I am hopeful to gain a little performance from the increased area from the pod acting like a water glide but we'll have to see on that one.

Hope to get the retrofit/repair done and on a local bayou for sea trials in a couple month... Baring I don't have to pull the logs to address the weld issues.

Stay tooned...

[HandymanHerb]

I was looking at getting one when we did ours, but the shipping was going to cost to much for what it is, and they was a reason they removed them, they took on water in the fuel, that's what I was told, they didn't remove them for fun

[Tlowry]

We'll have to see about that, seller claims they were lot damaged boats. Don't make sense that they would replace the whole pod if the fuel tank was the issue.

[HandymanHerb]

All I know is when I was looking at them two years ago, they had a big pile of takeoffs, that means they were factory removed and scraped, so do check it out good

[curtiscapk]

Lowry I am getting the same one! I like the fact it is 10 ft long and all aluminum. My transom gets replaced yearly it seems. Moving the tank will give me some more storage options as well. I will hopefully pull the trigger soon.

[Tlowry]

Will do Herb. If a leak is the issue, given it isn't a cracked poly tank, I can correct it.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

I got home tonight and felt energetic so played a little before the sun went down.

I got the old trusty multi tool out and went to work weakening the welds on the log mount covers.



After a lot of noise...



A little working back and forth, here's the old girl with her skirt removed.



Well, look what we have here.







Well dark fell so I went into the shop, poured me a glass of top shelf Tequila, grabbed a couple scraps of thin aluminum and seen if I could run a bead.



Guess I need to brush up a little...

[RcgTexas]

Weel you could call it a gorilla weld. ugly and strong! but with a little practice you will have it down. that's not that bad.

I like the center pod. kinda like mine only it has no tank(brain fart) and is air tight.

[Tlowry]

I emailed the seller and ask the question about leakage in the fuel system. Here is their response.

>>
Don't know where you heard that, but it isn't the case. The boats themselves - basically the
decks and accessories on them got damaged. Nothing to do with the pods or even the logs on
the boats. None of these have ever been in the water, and you'll see that right away.
<<

I will still give it the once over before mounting it to the boat and hanging a motor from it but do feel better from their reply.

[ToonGuy]

If it was me I'd get that motor set back a little farther when mounting the new transom.

As far as the reason they're for sale, don't always assume the worst. I used to be in the "salvage" biz and the reasons OEMs let stuff go is unusual sometimes, to say the least. A simple model or trim change, or new regulations (i.e. emissions, etc.) can cause them to sell off lots of items to these dealers. So there are great deals to be had, but as mentioned do inspect well as it's buyer beware.

[Tlowry]

I plan on setting it back some but not as much as that's on the Tracker, the Monark has smaller logs and with the rear bench being under the shade, people like to gather back there.

I will probably predrill optional mounting patterns so it can be changed if desired.

[curtiscapk]

I can't wait to compare opinions with you Lowry. I was planning on setting it back a foot or so.

We will have to compare notes.

[ToonGuy]

I plan on setting it back some but not as much as that's on the Tracker, the Monark has smaller logs and with the rear bench being under the shade, people like to gather back there.

I will probably predrill optional mounting patterns so it can be changed if desired.

That's a fantastic idea...

[Tlowry]

Well, pod arrived and looked just like the one on the seller's site. No dings and well packed.



Nephew came buy so we got busy and pulled the motor and pod.



Unbolted the port log and built some cripples to support the deck.





Log #1 ready to take into the shop for cleanup and repair.

[curtiscapk]

Sweet another month for mine probably. How much was your shipping?

[Friz]

Interesting. Read lots of "got one, getting one" but what exactly what is one and where does one find one? Found an internet ad from Skipper's Marine for $499 but states "manufacturer unknown"? Not encouraging. Could be a water glide on steroids. Looks a little difficult to take on fuel. On the trailer only? Tilt the engine and get in the water with the fuel hose? Extend the tanks fuel hose? As I wrote, interesting. Any info appreciated.

Fair winds and following seas, Friz