A funny thing happened.......

Destroyer

Destroyer

God
I've been looking for a smaller boat, something easy for me to launch/retrieve by myself. I wanted something that could go in lakes and rivers, but stable enough to take into the bay and maybe the ocean. And then a funny thing happened to me on the way home today. Look what followed me home.













For those that do not recognize this particular breed, that's a 1978 Wellcraft Airslot 16.5' Center Console/Walk around Fisherman. Very rare, I think it was only made one year in this configuration. There's actually a Porta Potty under the front hatch... on a 16 foot boat!!!
Rides like a dream and that 1996 Force 120 engine pushed her to just under 50 on my cars GPS. Those pics are from just under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. According to the PO, the engine has less than 100 hours on it, although I don't know that to be true or false. But I will say it started right up, and ran like a dream for the hour or so we tested the boat.
The PO claims he goes out in the ocean in the boat all the time. I will attest that she's remarkably steady.. much more so than a deep V hull.

If you don't see me for a couple of days I'll probably be in the hospital recovering from the beating my wife is going to give me when she learns of my newest toy.
 
SkunkBoat said:
nice little boat! Add a 9.9 and you can fish for Lakers in Round Valley!
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Skunk, that's an interesting idea. Do i have to remove the 120,or just have it raised? I'm planning on taking it to Lake Ontario for Steelhead and later in the year for Salmon.
 
Nice little rig. My 89 V 18 had a force 125 on the back and it was pretty trouble free for me. Good luck with the new rig.
 
Good find on that rig. Looks to be in very good original condition a little detailing with your knowledge and your set. Enjoy best of luck Paul.:sun:
 
Destroyer said:
Skunk, that's an interesting idea. Do i have to remove the 120,or just have it raised? I'm planning on taking it to Lake Ontario for Steelhead and later in the year for Salmon.
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I used to fish my old tin Skunkboat there in the '80s & '90s. The 9.9 only rule was keep the 40hp raised at all times and its ok.(no joke, the rangers are Nazis and they can see every inch of the lake from their tower)
There might be an issue with having bottom paint on it.
You know they catch 20 pound lakers there regularly now, and there have been 20 pound rainbows and browns too. and nice smallmouth bass. Spruce Run is right there too and it has hybrid stripers, largemouth,smallmouth and northern pike.
Haven't been there since I bought the V20 in 1999.
 
SkunkBoat said:
I used to fish my old tin Skunkboat there in the '80s & '90s. The 9.9 only rule was keep the 40hp raised at all times and its ok.(no joke, the rangers are Nazis and they can see every inch of the lake from their tower)
There might be an issue with having bottom paint on it.
You know they catch 20 pound lakers there regularly now, and there have been 20 pound rainbows and browns too. and nice smallmouth bass. Spruce Run is right there too and it has hybrid stripers, largemouth,smallmouth and northern pike.
Haven't been there since I bought the V20 in 1999.
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Skunk, that's good to know. Thanks for the info. I'll check on the bottom paint thing. I've been itching to go there for a while now, especially since I don't need a fishing license anymore. I still need one for Lake Ontario, (New York), but New Jersey is free for me now.
 
Nice find, my cousin had the bow rider version, used it to pull skiers for several years. There is a 21-22 ft? Version down the street from me, tons of room.

Enjoy it.
 
Congrats, never seen that before. Good luck with it and fish em up. Thats Keyport you launched from isnt it? Have not been there for awhile
 
Cool find Destroyer. Had a project boat with a Force 85, really plain and easy to work on/see everything under the cowling.
 
willy said:
Congrats, never seen that before. Good luck with it and fish em up. Thats Keyport you launched from isnt it? Have not been there for awhile
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I'll pretty much launch from anyplace Willy, Keyport, Leonardo or Atlantic Highlands... but my slip of choice is in Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus. Free ramp, gentle slope, in great shape with nice parking. Launch into the Hackensack River. 22 mile run downstream to under the Verrazano Narrows bridge. No tolls, no fighting with weekend traffic. Brings you out on the NY side of Sandy Hook.... and the ride back home is like an extended semi-fresh water flush of the engine. I say semi since it is tidal waters, but by the time you get back to the dock upstream it's pure sweet water.
 
Nice.......me I go with a ramp up the Delaware River where I know its the freshest water I can find.

It's just a 120 mile run down from Philadelphia, then 60 miles to Cape May, then 100 miles up to Sandy Hook...well worth it for the free ramp / free parking.
 
Destroyer said:
I'll pretty much launch from anyplace Willy, Keyport, Leonardo or Atlantic Highlands... but my slip of choice is in Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus. Free ramp, gentle slope, in great shape with nice parking. Launch into the Hackensack River. 22 mile run downstream to under the Verrazano Narrows bridge. No tolls, no fighting with weekend traffic. Brings you out on the NY side of Sandy Hook.... and the ride back home is like an extended semi-fresh water flush of the engine. I say semi since it is tidal waters, but by the time you get back to the dock upstream it's pure sweet water.
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Nice bass bite back in Newark bay early season too.
 
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