Re: My Mini Rig I talk so much about
The little truck is a KIA Sportage loaded and 4 wheel drive..has a true ladder bar frame and live rear axel....very tuff, list for 21 grand got it for $15,500.00 new. Very popular here in south Florida Weighs 3500 lbs with no people. The little trailer is rated 1,500 lbs and the whole boat only weighs 650 lbs. tows fine all day at 70 MPH. Gotta watch the speed in rough water, the hull is only .050 thick, I have to stay around 28MPH, but in flat water small 6" ripples, WOT to 38 MPH. I estimate the 50 HP conversion will give me top speed of 43 MPH w/Boyesen reeds. I wanted to put a Merc 60 Hp on the back which is the same size but the short leg model was discontinued just a month before I was ready to buy. Originally I was hoping for 48 to 50 MPH with the 60 HP. Even though the hull was never designed to go this fast, so far, it has no bad handling habits and is very predictable and a ***** cat to drive. The entire substructure of the boat except for the ribs was replaced and built like an airplane with stainless screws and lock nuts. Some aluminum rivets were used. I feel the transom would handle easily a 100 horse motor but the weight would bring the top of the transom to close to the water line even though the rear deck is self bailing. Rite now with the motor at 210 lbs its maxed out with my "BOB" butt and one other "BOB" in the boat or me and my little 110 lb wife and step daughter
