180 sport fishing platform

surfinjoe

New Member
Feb 23, 2007
946
Michigan
Boat Info
220 Sundeck 2007
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
I have a 180 sport and have been thinking about making her a ski and fish type boat. Has anyone ever removed the bow cushions and built a custom wood platform with a swivel chair for fishing? Does anyone have a 185 fish & ski and would be willing to take some pic's of the bow fishing platform? I am also thinking about mounting a trolling motor on the platform. Any thoughts?
 
Surfinjoe,
We have a 180 sport and here is our fishing platform setup. We took the cushion off and use a large cardboard to make a template for the fishing platform. Then, transfer the cardboard to a large and thick piece of plywood and cut it out. The thickness of the plywood should be about 1 inch thick. At this point, you can cover the platform with marine carpet using stainless steel staples underneath. Make sure that the staples does not touch any gelcoat. Well, that's the fishing platform.

As for the trolling motor mount, I'm under the assumption you might not want any drilling into the gelcoat. You can make it out of steel or wood. Basically, fabricate a "T" shape frame, attaching lower part of the "T" to the forward most part of the fishing platform you made(using "L" brackets). The upper part of the "T" will be resting on the bow rail just slightly behind the two bow cleats (if you have them). Be sure to use some form of padding between the gelcoat and the upper part of the "T". That's it! You can then put the trolling motor on top of the "T" frame.

This is our set up and it works just fine. We use a 55 thrust trolling motor and it pushes the 180 very well. There are a couple place for you to put the battery. You can put it under fish platform, under the steering instrumentation or on the fish platform itself. The fish platform will hold a child and adult comfortably. We even had two adults in the front.

As for the fishing chair, you can do a setup in the center of the bow platform and put any type of fishing chair you want. You might consider a set up that you can move the driver or passenger chair to the fishplatform.

Good luck. We made ours for under $30.
 
F4RIOBOY - that is exactly what I want to do! Thank you very much for the feedback. I am trying like heck to not to trade in my little 180 for a bigger boat. I have added a swim platform that gave me an extra ~2', purchased a set of smart tabs (to reduce porposing and 'getting the crap beat out of you' factor on large lakes) and hopefully will build this platform for fishing.

I will most likley add the extra battery under the steering for easy access and to have an back-up just in case. This will also allow me to install a selector switch. I was thinking about using the passenger seat on the platform. I guess the only issue will be finding something to mount it to that is high enough to fish from. If I come up with something, I'll let you know. Thanks again!
 
Surfinjoe,
We have a 180 sport and here is our fishing platform setup. We took the cushion off and use a large cardboard to make a template for the fishing platform. Then, transfer the cardboard to a large and thick piece of plywood and cut it out. The thickness of the plywood should be about 1 inch thick. At this point, you can cover the platform with marine carpet using stainless steel staples underneath. Make sure that the staples does not touch any gelcoat. Well, that's the fishing platform.

As for the trolling motor mount, I'm under the assumption you might not want any drilling into the gelcoat. You can make it out of steel or wood. Basically, fabricate a "T" shape frame, attaching lower part of the "T" to the forward most part of the fishing platform you made(using "L" brackets). The upper part of the "T" will be resting on the bow rail just slightly behind the two bow cleats (if you have them). Be sure to use some form of padding between the gelcoat and the upper part of the "T". That's it! You can then put the trolling motor on top of the "T" frame.

This is our set up and it works just fine. We use a 55 thrust trolling motor and it pushes the 180 very well. There are a couple place for you to put the battery. You can put it under fish platform, under the steering instrumentation or on the fish platform itself. The fish platform will hold a child and adult comfortably. We even had two adults in the front.

As for the fishing chair, you can do a setup in the center of the bow platform and put any type of fishing chair you want. You might consider a set up that you can move the driver or passenger chair to the fishplatform.

Good luck. We made ours for under $30.

Please post a pic. if you have one. Thanks again!
 
I have a 2005 185 fish/ski. I will get some pictures posted of the platform and the trolling motor mounts on the bow.

Thanks Brad, that would be great. As soon as I try-out the smart tabs I will let you know what's going on. According to the website, they eliminate porposing, reduce cavitation and improve the ride in rough H2O.
 
Ok, here are the pictures of the platform. Unfortunately the weather is crappy outside so I didn't get any pics of it in the boat...I'll try to get those later.

The whole platform:
SSC_5166.jpg


The back of the platform:
SSC_5165.jpg


The reinforced area for the seat (this fits inside the contours of the bow area):
SSC_5164.jpg


The latch that hold it in place (these slide into a hole in the bow area):
SSC_5163.jpg


The strap that keeps the latch from unlatching:
SSC_5162.jpg



Hope this helps in the design of your platform. You'll also notice the white bracket at the front of the platform (second pic), this slides into the front bow storage area to keep the front from lifting up. You'll also notice the hinged hatches that alow access to the side bow storage areas. I will get some more pics of it in the boat once the weather cooperates. Let me know if you have anymore questions. I still owe you some pictures of the trolling motor mounts too.

Good luck with your project!
 
Thanks soo much for the pic's. This has given me some great ideas for sure!
 
Thanks soo much for the pic's. This has given me some great ideas for sure!

All I request in return is that you post back here (new thread) when you get a chance to try out those smart tabs :grin:. I'd love to know how well they work on the bigger waters.

Are you hitting Aquapalooza out there in MacRay Harbour (L. St. Clair) this year? I see they moved it from Gull Island...probably because of gas prices.
 
All I request in return is that you post back here (new thread) when you get a chance to try out those smart tabs :grin:. I'd love to know how well they work on the bigger waters.

Are you hitting Aquapalooza out there in MacRay Harbour (L. St. Clair) this year? I see they moved it from Gull Island...probably because of gas prices.

I'll be there just as I was last year. What about you? Would be great to meet you!
 
I'm not sure I'll be there or not this year. I'm scheduled to be "on call" that week so I need to find a co-worker to trade shifts with. I'll get in touch with ya around that time and let ya know.
 
I'm not sure I'll be there or not this year. I'm scheduled to be "on call" that week so I need to find a co-worker to trade shifts with. I'll get in touch with ya around that time and let ya know.

OK, sounds like a plan. Send me a PM if you end up going.
 
Any chance of 1) seeing a photo of this platform on the boat, and 2) photos of how you attached the trolling motor?

THANKS MUCH:smt038
 
Any chance of 1) seeing a photo of this platform on the boat, and 2) photos of how you attached the trolling motor?

THANKS MUCH:smt038
Here you go
 

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