Our 08 40DA Transformed Into A Fishing Machine

G

Gary Hill

Member
Mar 30, 2009
375
Holland, MI
Boat Info
2008 40DA
Engines
8.1 SHO
Just got this pic. It is from the 2012 Big Red Classic fishing tournament on Lake Michigan. We don't know how to fish, but we look good getting there!


Happy Holidays,
Gary

BRC2012.jpg
 
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It is a very nice photo... just not sure I'm all about a 40DA as a sport fisher.
 
JimG said:
It is a very nice photo... just not sure I'm all about a 40DA as a sport fisher.
Click to expand...

Transformed is the key word. When not fishing all of the gear comes off and you can't even tell we fish with it. Here she is un-transformed:

100_0217.jpg


Gary
 
Gary Hill said:
Transformed is the key word. When not fishing all of the gear comes off and you can't even tell we fish with it. Here she is un-transformed:

Gary
Click to expand...

OK... well done!
 
Excellent work! Downriggers in the corners, four triple rod holders and a rocket launcher all loaded up, and not one but two landing nets. There's even a rodholder on the dinghy winch. That's very nicely done. I'm sure there's tackle somewhere, right? :grin:
 
Very cool boat.
 
nowakezone said:
Excellent work! Downriggers in the corners, four triple rod holders and a rocket launcher all loaded up, and not one but two landing nets. There's even a rodholder on the dinghy winch. That's very nicely done. I'm sure there's tackle somewhere, right? :grin:
Click to expand...

Thanks for comments.

What you can't see is that the rear bench seat has been made to be removable. I cut the bench seat in half and then glassed in the cut ends with farings and gel coat. All screw holes filled sanded and buffed. Where the seat goes is where the tackle is stored.

The dinghy davits actually come off and the "chute" down rigger on the back has it's own bracket and slides into the dinghy davit shoes.

It takes about an hour to "transform" the entire boat. 1/2 hour if I leave the back seat in.
When I leave the back seat in I typically only use the chute and port down riggers.

This year we added the "Shut Up And Fish" flag.

Gary
 
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Gary, The new Sey Ray Amber Jack. Well done. I see your registered No. 1 in the tournament.
I'm trying to plan how to lift a 350 lb dingy in the back. Any thoughts?
 
Awesome. Love the boat, under either configuration! :smt038
 
Escapade said:
Gary, The new Sey Ray Amber Jack. Well done. I see your registered No. 1 in the tournament.
I'm trying to plan how to lift a 350 lb dingy in the back. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hello, I hope things are well. While we were registered No.1 we didn't finish so well this year. We kicked butt all week prefishing but when the tournament came we had a bad day and day two was cancelled. Like I said above, "we don't know how to fish but at least we look good getting there".

At least it was better than last year when in the midle of the first morning we had to answer a MayDay call on the radio. A boat was taking on water 7 miles from Holland and we were there. When we saw the two guys they were in water half way up to their knees. This type of thing relly messes with your mind. The whole ordeal took about 1.5 hours untill the coast Guard got the boat in their hands. Needless to say, my head could not get back into the tourney while thinking about the "what if's" and what we could have done different.

As far as the dinghy goes, I "think" my current dinghy and motor weighs about 210 pounds. With the davit system I have installed I can climb into the dinghy while it is hanging and it doesen't even budge. That is a total of about 450 pounds. St Croix makes a boat trailer type winch that can be added to your current system to lift that heavy dinghy.

If you have not replaced the "I beams" under the swim platform I would suggest that you do that and everything should be good. Between your boat and my new one, I would estimate that I have 4000 miles in all kinds of seas with no troubles, stress cracks or any sign of distress.

Merry Christmas

Gary
 
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You need more rod holders! Very nice ride, Mike.
 
Gary- We enjoyed watching the fish attracted via your underwater lights at the docks. The water has never been this clear before. Good point on the weight issue. I looked up all the weights and dinghy full fuel +5% is 392 lbs. I will measure up and order I Beams from Metal Supermarket. Then order up the winches at St. Croix. Your 390 is being very good to us. I change fluids 2x year and it is still honey at haul out. This was a great year to be on the pond. Sounds like another good summer coming up w/ the Harley 110th in town. Hope to see Marie and yourself over for the party. You guys are always welcome on "F" dock!
Merry Christmas! Sue & Mike
 
Hello Mike,

I've done some digging on the 110th as we are thinking about coming over. The 105th was a blast. I havn't found the type of info I need on the net yet. Dates, concerts, etc. I didn't look too hard yet. Got any suggestions? Don't know about "F" dock, over here they are F'ers, LOL.

Gary
 
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