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I have a 1636 or maybe it's a 1640.
The blind build eliminated the benches and all floatation. If I put a good sized man, myself, and dog it's overloaded because of the engine, battery, and fuel.
I want pods.
They are $259 @ Cabelas. Help save me some $$$.
Where can I get them for less?

Look up Boyd welding on Google. On my last boat I put a set of his in there and they were awesome.

Go to the guy that does aluminum welding near you and see how much they would cost. Foam to fill them costs around $31 per quart and a quart or two should be plenty. Look as some other boats with pods to make sure you have the bottom contour correct. They should make your boat faster also.

RonE wrote:Go to the guy that does aluminum welding near you and see how much they would cost. Foam to fill them costs around $31 per quart and a quart or two should be plenty. Look as some other boats with pods to make sure you have the bottom contour correct. They should make your boat faster also.

I wouldn't use foam. It gets waterlogged. We put a 6" removable access cover on the pods we have and use them for storing extra plugs, rope, over limit birds, etc. The trapped air will provide the flotation you need.
I agree with checking a local welder for a price and he could custom fit them to your boat.

JGUN wrote:

RonE wrote:Go to the guy that does aluminum welding near you and see how much they would cost. Foam to fill them costs around $31 per quart and a quart or two should be plenty. Look as some other boats with pods to make sure you have the bottom contour correct. They should make your boat faster also.

I wouldn't use foam. It gets waterlogged. We put a 6" removable access cover on the pods we have and use them for storing extra plugs, rope, over limit birds, etc. The trapped air will provide the flotation you need.
I agree with checking a local welder for a price and he could custom fit them to your boat.

I second not using foam in them. Foam only does anything if it's wet, which it shouldn't be inside the pod. Unless you need it for the coast guard I guess. Pods should be sealed (with a drain plug hole).

Goldfish wrote:

JGUN wrote:

RonE wrote:Go to the guy that does aluminum welding near you and see how much they would cost. Foam to fill them costs around $31 per quart and a quart or two should be plenty. Look as some other boats with pods to make sure you have the bottom contour correct. They should make your boat faster also.

I wouldn't use foam. It gets waterlogged. We put a 6" removable access cover on the pods we have and use them for storing extra plugs, rope, over limit birds, etc. The trapped air will provide the flotation you need.
I agree with checking a local welder for a price and he could custom fit them to your boat.

I second not using foam in them. Foam only does anything if it's wet, which it shouldn't be inside the pod. Unless you need it for the coast guard I guess. Pods should be sealed (with a drain plug hole).

Fuck the coast guard.

And I think the idea behind foam is to add strength so the top doesn't get dented from stepping on it.
Just use a little heavier ga on top and leave the foam out. That should accomplish the same thing.

Or add some expanded metal to the top

Goldfish wrote:Or add some expanded metal to the top

That sounds like an excellent idea. ... if you want to tear your waders to shit.

So don't put it all the way to the edge? I'm just throwing ideas out there.

Pods schmods, what I wanna know is did the seat removal weaken yer boat or not?

Goldfish wrote:So don't put it all the way to the edge? I'm just throwing ideas out there.

The only reason I say that is because I got mine solely for flotation but found out they make an excellent dog swim step (and for guys who aren't as agile as when they were 20). I put a knee on the pod, grab the motor and pull up.

Oh yes, they are excellent for getting back in the boat. I'm thinking a little expanded metal would help for traction, but I get not wanting to kneel on it

Goldfish wrote:Oh yes, they are excellent for getting back in the boat. I'm thinking a little expanded metal would help for traction, but I get not wanting to kneel on it

I put the spray on bed liner stuff on top of the pods then painted to match the boat. It works fine for me.