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Building a "real" mudboat **UPDATE
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:35 am
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:35 am
Figured I'd post a few pictures of this project. I've been building aluminum boats myself for 20 plus years now. It's always been a side hustle, but at one point I was doing 8 to 10 a year on side of a full time job and other random fab work mixed in. I've slowed way down between more responsibilities at the real job, kids getting older and such. Think I've done maybe one or two a year the last couple years, and just for family and close friends.
This one is for a good friend, had planned to do it last year but I was in the middle of moving and building a new house and shop, so just finally getting around to it.
The hull is 20' x 60" with a 2' fan tail. Bottom is 60" at beam and tappers to 56 at stern, is 48" across the bow. 1/4" plate bottom and 3/16 sides. 2x6 angel for the gunwale/catwalks. All of the stainless for the strut and rudder is 3/8". It's powered by a 5.3 LS, 1.28 to 1 gear spinning a 14x14 wheel.
No cut sheet, all lofted out from my head with a tap, straight edges and a sharpie marker and cut out with a worm drive, including the stainless work (which was tough)
Getting close to wrapping it up. Have to pull the motor out to finish some welding work in that space, including the keel coolers.

This one is for a good friend, had planned to do it last year but I was in the middle of moving and building a new house and shop, so just finally getting around to it.
The hull is 20' x 60" with a 2' fan tail. Bottom is 60" at beam and tappers to 56 at stern, is 48" across the bow. 1/4" plate bottom and 3/16 sides. 2x6 angel for the gunwale/catwalks. All of the stainless for the strut and rudder is 3/8". It's powered by a 5.3 LS, 1.28 to 1 gear spinning a 14x14 wheel.
No cut sheet, all lofted out from my head with a tap, straight edges and a sharpie marker and cut out with a worm drive, including the stainless work (which was tough)
Getting close to wrapping it up. Have to pull the motor out to finish some welding work in that space, including the keel coolers.










This post was edited on 3/11/25 at 9:08 am
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:41 am to CaptJJ














Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:51 am to CaptJJ
I worked with a guy offshore years ago that built them. I don't remember his name but that boat was bad arse. I don't think he had as big a motor in his at the time.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:51 am to CaptJJ
As it sits now:
https://i.imgur.com/hIpmEED.jpeg
g>

https://i.imgur.com/hIpmEED.jpeg


















Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:53 am to CaptJJ
Beautiful work
What motor did you go with?
The Subaru engines we used to have were beasts in the mudboats
What motor did you go with?
The Subaru engines we used to have were beasts in the mudboats
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:00 am to mylsuhat
It's a 5.3 LS motor, should be around 330 hp
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:37 am to CaptJJ
quote:
a 5.3 LS motor, should be around 330 hp
So topping out around mach 1 for that little bit of aluminum, got it.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 11:47 am to calcotron
Beautiful work, as a well as a beautiful shop. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:38 pm to CaptJJ
Simply amazing. A combination of art and fabrication. Hats off!
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:48 pm to Tridentds
Awesome work, thanks for sharing. Keep us posted, for real.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:49 pm to CaptJJ
Thats Killer!!
I been kicking the idea around to have one like that built. I have no restrictions where I Hunt.
I been kicking the idea around to have one like that built. I have no restrictions where I Hunt.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 2:14 pm to Tigah D
I'm not painting it rigging it myself, owners gonna take care of that, but when it finally is up and running I'll get some video of it and put on here. I'm pretty excited and curious to see just how it does. Appreciate all of the kind words gentlemen!
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:01 pm to CaptJJ
My neighbor had the same type hull with a 4.3 Chevy (v-6) and was close to 55, it was actually faster than some of the same mudboats with a 5.7. Thats a little to fast for me, especially sitting on the boat and not in it.
Thats some really nice fab work. Keep us updated.
Thats some really nice fab work. Keep us updated.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:34 pm to CaptJJ
How will you cool the engine? Typical radiator or heat tube on bottom of boat?
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:46 pm to Barneyrb
It will be built into thr bottom on the inside. I will basicly box the chines in with a 2x6 angel, about 7' long down each side with a cross over pipe in the back, they will serve just like a traditional keel coolers on a work boat type application.
Posted on 2/3/25 at 4:41 pm to CaptJJ
What happens if you hit a stump or other hard object with that out drive?
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