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Building a "real" mudboat **UPDATE

Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:35 am
Posted by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
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 post was edited on 3/11/25 at 9:08 am
Posted by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:41 am to
Some more pictures of the progress












Posted by saintsfan1977
Arkansas, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
8903 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:51 am to
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 by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:51 am to
As it sits now:

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







g>










Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
49472 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:53 am to
Beautiful work


What motor did you go with?

The Subaru engines we used to have were beasts in the mudboats
Posted by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:00 am to
It's a 5.3 LS motor, should be around 330 hp
Posted by Sea Hoss
North Alabama
Member since Jul 2013
1019 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:07 am to
Very nice work Cap!
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
43394 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:16 am to
wow
Posted by calcotron
Member since Nov 2007
9392 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:37 am to
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 by WillyL
Member since Jan 2017
183 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 11:47 am to
Beautiful work, as a well as a beautiful shop. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by farad
Member since Dec 2013
11521 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 12:27 pm to
what a tank!....
Posted by Tridentds
Sugar Land
Member since Aug 2011
22345 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:38 pm to
Simply amazing. A combination of art and fabrication. Hats off!
Posted by Tigah D
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2008
1449 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:48 pm to
Awesome work, thanks for sharing. Keep us posted, for real.
Posted by LSUDUCKMAN67
DTB
Member since Sep 2020
1400 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 1:49 pm to
Thats Killer!!

I been kicking the idea around to have one like that built. I have no restrictions where I Hunt.
Posted by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 2:14 pm to
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 by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
27019 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 2:31 pm to
Badass Capt.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22770 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:01 pm to
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.
Posted by Barneyrb
NELA
Member since May 2016
6195 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:34 pm to
How will you cool the engine? Typical radiator or heat tube on bottom of boat?
Posted by CaptJJ
Member since Jan 2021
94 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 3:46 pm to
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 by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
16358 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 4:41 pm to
What happens if you hit a stump or other hard object with that out drive?

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