• My Last Boat - By Cane Pole

    This is my last boat. This boat is being built like I want because I am doing the functional assembly of the peripherals such as seats, trolling motor, and pole holders.



    Brenda and I purchased a War Eagle in 2008. This supposedly would be the last boat. As we aged over the past years, our mobility declined. Our safety became an issue, so I began shopping for another "last" boat. We decided on a pontoon because of the open space and flat deck.

    I looked a numerous pontoons, but was not pleased with any of the traditional log pontoons. One day as I skimmed through the crappie.com "show your boats" sticky, I discovered the ideal boat. The picture was posted by Blackhawk19. It was called a PONDTOON and made by Custombilt Boats in Geneva, Alabama. I made contact with the boast company and made arrangements to visit the factory.

    Brenda and I made the trip to Geneva, Alabama, and met with the owner of the boat company. We spent the day covering items and features that I wanted on the yet unbuilt boat. Of course, I requested special applications which the owner had never assembled before. The special options were the diamond plate seat pedestals, the painting of the boat, the vinyl deck covering, and the partially closing the tunnel thru the center hull, We came to terms on pricing which included delivery to our house in Tennessee.





    After we returned home, I began shopping for all the goodies for the boat. I filled our bedroom full of stuff for the boat. I first shopped crappie.com for items I needed. I followed recommendations from some of the members about seats. ("G" and others recommended the Tempress high backs. I sure am glad I listened.) I purchased my pole holders from EZ Poleholder who also installed the holders at the JP Coleman get together. The electronics are somewhat used and were supplied by my friends DonG and Billbob. I haven't committed to any new electronics as of yet. Rickie supplied me a "Da Ducer" apparatus ( transducer pole). The engine was purchased from a member's (Locater79) brother in law. The almost new engine (30hp Merc) had a couple of hours on it. Slab sent me some trailer tags which I will install when the weather permits. Crappiepappy sent me a West Tn Crappie.Com sticker. I recently purchased a Igloo cooler recommended by my pal MrDux. Thanks all.

    Our good friends Paul and Vonna (Crappiestalkers) spent the day in the summer heat helping me mount the engine. What a job. Paul returned another day and installed the batteries and the battery charger for me. This is why we love them like our own kids folks. I have a few more jobs for Paul to complete before spring.



    Brenda and I truly enjoy this water toy. I have a few more items to complete before I take the boat to the river and pace it in the boat house lift. We are ready for Spring.

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    Comments 42 Comments
    1. Mrs. Crappie Stalker's Avatar
      Mrs. Crappie Stalker -
      We love your pondtoon and know that you're both going to really enjoy fishing out of it, especially not having to worry about stability and moving around.
      We love both of you, too. More than you'll ever know. You have filled a gap left at the loss of both of our dads and are just as much family to us as any blood relative.
      Spring needs to hurry up and get here, we've got some boating and fishing to catch up on!!
    1. Bobo Greybeard's Avatar
      Bobo Greybeard -
      Great story and sharp looking boat. Thank you for sharing with us.


      Bobo
    1. Scrapper's Avatar
      Scrapper -
      Thats an amazing build CP. Thank you for sharing! I'm really loving the his and hers graphs!! Really is a blessing to have your wife so involved also. Great job!!
    1. "D"'s Avatar
      "D" -
      CP you got a great wife, a fine boat and the best friends, especially the one's who treat you like family. And you showed it all on the best sight. You a blessed man. Danny
    1. Blackhawk19's Avatar
      Blackhawk19 -
      Wow Cane Pole, that is a thing of beauty!!!! You will love the flat deck, I'm glad Steve worked with you and fixed you up with what you wanted.
    1. Billbob's Avatar
      Billbob -
      need to get it wet
    1. NYHellbender's Avatar
      NYHellbender -
      That's one good lookin' boat. I'm sure that will keep you happy for years to come. Congrats
    1. chaunc's Avatar
      chaunc -
      Great job Canepole.
    1. "G"'s Avatar
      "G" -
      I saw this boat at the fall gathering at Pickwick and its a great setup
    1. Idunno's Avatar
      Idunno -
      Nice looking rig. Needs more fish blood on the deck, though.
    1. clfarms1's Avatar
      clfarms1 -
      Nice boat CP I really liked when I saw it at fall camp. You got great friends to help you out like they do, but I find that is a trait of most everyone from the south. Look forward to seeing it in action at spring camp.
    1. barrelslime's Avatar
      barrelslime -
      Awsome boat thanks for sharing the story
    1. wannabe fisherman's Avatar
      wannabe fisherman -
      saw it at the KY Shindig and with CP at the helm it'll be a real Crappie gitter.
    1. genec's Avatar
      genec -
      Great boat and glad you and the wife can have fun together,lots of smiles,boat complete just add water
    1. GitDaGrease's Avatar
      GitDaGrease -
      I was checking this boat out at fall camp at Pickwick and I really like it, you done a great job on it CP. I know you and the boss will really enjoy it. What river do you live near and fish most of the time? I am pretty close to the Tenn Tomm and really enjoy fishing on it, the scenery is beautiful.
    1. RetiredRR's Avatar
      RetiredRR -
      CP, you picked a great rig (created by yourself & friends) to call your last boat. Lookin' forward to seeing some fish landed on your new rig. Share the
      photos.
      I "LIKE".
    1. papermouth scaler's Avatar
      papermouth scaler -
      Im in Awe....
      BTW I like your handle...why didn't I think of that :-)
    1. jaxsprat's Avatar
      jaxsprat -
      Thanks for posting the interesting read, looks like you designed a real fun ride.
    1. CrappiePro's Avatar
      CrappiePro -
      HAHA!!! Love it.. A fishing rig built for King and Queeen. Good Job
    1. boatdocksam's Avatar
      boatdocksam -
      great story
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