Oldie but Newbie

[Wdotson926]

Hello. I joined the site in September and have been lurking and reading my butt off. Purchased a boat yesterday that I found in the classifieds here so figured it was time to say hello.

By way of a little background, the oldie part:

Twenty years ago I had a weekend fishing place in Suwannee, FL. GTO Airboats built me a saltwater edition 16x8 with a 3 foot bow rake, 502 crate motor and a three blade powershift prop. Was decked over with both aerated fish and baitwells and storage. Great fishing platform. Had the boat five years and loved it. The misses, however, did not share my enthusiasm so the place and the boat were sold.

The newbie part:

Fast forward twenty years, and here I am retired in Horseshoe Beach, FL. with a new misses who has never been on an airboat but is game enough to give it a go. I have not been on the stick or even ridden in an airboat in sixteen years. We are taking the new lady out tomorrow for the first time. Wish me luck. I hope it's like riding a bike.

 

[OneBFC]

Well, boat looks fine to me. Here is one tip though based on what you have posted....

Your new boat isn't decked over like the old one. Be very mindful of low speed maneuvers in deep water or sudde off power + turning events or your new miss won't be too impressed and you will come away with only a permanent memory / story.

Have fun. Good luck!

 

[Wdotson926]

Thanks for the advice. Either way, sink or swim, I'll post the results.

 

[Slidin Gator]

 

[Wdotson926]

Yeah...doesn't matter how old I get, there's always that possibility Slidin Gator.

 

[Jon Heron]

That thing looks awesome!
Do you plan to do any fishing off your new boat?
Cheers,
Jon

 

[Andy]

FYI. Lotta ROCK around Horseshoe and that area.

 

[Wdotson926]

Well we went for an almost two hour ride this morning and had a great time. Ran the edge of the marsh from Horseshoe Beach up to Shired Island. Explored a couple of the larger creeks and ate lunch on a white sand beach that I'm pretty sure is inaccessible by anything other than an airboat. Came close to taking some water over the port rear corner in a turn, but saw it coming and was able to power out.

Jon Heron, she will be used almost exclusively for fishing for reds. Maybe a flounder gigging trip here and there since she is already equipped with lights and a gig rail.

Andy, definitely a bunch of rock around here. Taking it slow and easy until I'm more familiar with the boat and the shallows. Thanks.

 

[Robo]

The boat in that picture doesn't look like a Stumpjumper to me

 

[Wdotson926]

Bought her from Chad Howard who, from what I've read on here, was Stumpjumper back in the day. He built her early this year as his personal ride but plans changed. The rigging mounts on the transom are ovals with the Stumpjumper logo cut into them. Guess the hull could be different. Whatever it is it's well built. Nine stringers and three sets of jacks.

 

[Jon Heron]

Jon Heron, she will be used almost exclusively for fishing for reds. Maybe a flounder gigging trip here and there since she is already equipped with lights and a gig rail.

Cool, I had to google flounder gigging lol Looks like a blast.
I have always wanted to try tarpon fishing down there in Florida... Nothing like that up here in Canada.
Cheers,
Jon