New boat for the New Year, Stroker/400R

[npark]

Figure I'd share the build now that we are so close to being done and here's some proof that, yes she'll float and no the 400 isn't too big for a bass boat ;-).

There's a full build post over on the Stroker forum but here are some of the highlights and more 'complete' pics. It been quite a process, Kurt at Kurt's Performance Boats boats and Jason at RPM Marine have been great! Kurt's info and knowledge about boat dynamics and rigging has been invaluable. Jason is the MOST meticulous person I have ever come across. It's a great fit because I'm an anal mother effer, I think Jason shares my OCD gene. I would have actually felt sorry for Kurt if he had to deal with me without Jason's assistance lol.

The work has been phenomenal!! If I do say so myself the pics look good but seriously don't do this boat justice. In person the level of detail is absolutely unreal. I gave Jason/Kurt some interesting ideas and concepts that most would say can't be done and they accomplished it! If there wasn't a part for it Jason made it. This was exactly the level of customness I wanted and couldn't be happier.

Cbailey made one of his Foils and a Holeshot plate custom for it and even drove many hours to install it himself to make sure it was good to go. Not many people would put in that kind of commitment.

This is a gift to my Dad and many of the things were choosen so that it fishes the way he likes to fish but can still run the way WE like to run...I'm more of the speed demon. Most of everything is removable so that when we want to run there is no extra weight/wind resistance. Hardly a stone unturned, if something is on the boat it is there for a reason and I debated all the other options. I'm beyond excited, as is my dad. This will be a nice reliable rig so that he can fish with me, his son in law/grand daughter and anyone else for many years now he's going to retire!

Enjoy the pics, let me know what you think. If you need any cool work done go find Jason at RPM Marine, just give him a week more so he can finish our boat lol. If you need a holeshot plate or foil hit up Cbailey on the boards here. If you want a Stroker call Kurt, he's got a couple used ones looking for a new home. These are all great guys that know their stuff!!

[rcwhite]

Holy crap...awesome!!!!!!

[skeeter_tzx]

Look nice. Can't wait for some river run video. You and Chris have done a fine job. How tall of a prop do think you'll be able to run and still have a decent holeshot?

[npark]

Skeet - we aren't sure just yet. There was a very early water/float test done yesterday to work out the bugs and see what is left. We encountered a few little things which was expected on a build this large. They ran it with my bone stock unvented 29 ProMax and it was a little sluggish out of the hole until Kurt remembered that we had Chris Baileys holeshot plate. Kurt said he hit the switch and it pulled the nose down and boogied from there. I can't stress enough that this particular ProMax is not going to be the best prop its just what we were doing the first testing with. With the Talon/360, the trolling motor 15 gallons of gas and apparently 30+ gallons of water onboard (the bilge or live well system was leaking) it went well into the 90s on its first shake down. This was not WOT or full RPM just get her on plane and trimming up. No raising of the engine on the JP, still had 20psi of WP.

Id like to see the talon/360 brought up so it doesn't drag as much and a 28ish bravo run. Think it'll do well there and still be good for 100ish. Put a 26 on it and it should be pretty quick all around and still run in the 90s. I'd love to see it without the talon/360 be able to get on top of the water with a stiff 32-33 or soft 34 and do 110+. Just have to see what comes in the next few weeks as Kurt refine the rigging with prop selection, balance/ballast work and some gear case surfacing.

[skeeter_tzx]

Sounds good. I had a little drag on my talons the first time in the water as well.

[jrodgers]

That boat is sweeter than N-Bromosuccinamide! Congratulations on a beautiful boat. Are the power poles offset for balance? I hope you and your Dad enjoy the boat.

[npark]

JR - thanks man. Lots of time and planning has gone into this. Lots of people telling me it can't or shouldn't be done too. Very happy to see it come to fruition and about ready to enjoy.

One is a Talon the other is a Humminbird 360. I wanted the Talon so that it is more easily removable than a PP with less residual weight remaining. We don't have to have the weight of a pump in the boat when it's removed, plus nothing to leak and turn the rear box into an oil pit. I had them put both of them on the same side because my dad and I fish to the port side more often than not and want to have that side of the boat 'clean'. Also balance did play a factor, we are running lithiums and don't have the normal lead acid ballast on the passenger side so this helps a little there too. Lastly we only need one pole/Talon because the MinnKota has spot lock that holds the bow in place...don't need two poles to hold your position this way.

[Bassin Bob71]

Damn......can't wait to hear the final #'s on that rig.

[Big J Mac]

WOW

[gotlimit?]

Amazing!!! Congrats to you on creating such an amazing boat.

[Hawg]

Why do you have the port side steering?

[181fsc]

Awesome!! I love it!

[npark]

Thanks guys. Forgot to thank Brent (scawdthedog1) for the engine. If not for him deciding he wanted to go back to his X we'd still be waiting on Merc to get these things off backorder.

Cant begin to explain my excitement, it's like a building a custom house. For a year you pick out floor plan mods, options and colors...you name it. Then when it starts coming together you finally get to see if your choices were correct and will flow together. Lots of hands helped with advice and gentle nudging so that I didn't bastardize the build too much. There were many things that everyone questioned and I had to stand my ground and say, no, this is how we are doing it. My dad got the pics for xmas and teared up, he knew about the boat but very little details and had absolutely no clue to the level of the build.

This was technically Kurts replacement for Tweety and he decided he'd sell it to uslast year. He had already picked the hull colors but the rest has been my doing. Since it's Tweety v2.0 she has the 2nd generation pad and got some extra love and attention from Chub at the factory. It's not a lightweight build but the pad was blueprinted. She will run well.

In the Stroker world they like to name boats. I had been struggling to come up with a name but then said the boat will tell us at some point, don't force it. Once I saw the engine for the first time it was obvious...Moby Dick or Moby for short. Kurt then chimed in with MFD and we couldn't deny its perfect fit.

[Melton Jason]

Why do you have the port side steering?

Offsets the torque of the engine at high speeds, means less weight to balance the boat on pad.

[npark]

Why do you have the port side steering?

To help counteract the prop torque. It will lift the port side substantially around the mid 90s. This then lessen the amount of ballast you have to run when you are solo and looking for that last MPH.

[npark]

Offsets the torque of the engine at high speeds, means less weight to balance the boat on pad.

you beat me lol

[jigman51]

Nice rig for sure.

[jigflipr76]

I have never actually physically seen a stroker and know nothing about them at all. BUT, I have to say that is one absolutely flippin, awesome, sweet, gnarly, bad a$$, beautiful rig!!! Congrats and hope you and the family have many wonderful hours and make many memories in her. I will definitely be checking out the Stroker forum to see any more pics and videos on her.

[Team V-T2]

[PATRO]

This is the baddest bass boat on BBC!!!! Congrats on a beautiful rig and please post some running videos.