External Pocket Tunnel Jon Boat

3/16" Welded Aluminum Pocket Tunnel on my Tracker 1432 Jon Boat. The tunnel is 12" wide and around 12" deep. I have a flange bolted on to adjust the water output angle and make it exit the tunnel cleaner. I can run in less than a foot of water with this setup. The motor is a 1984 Evinrude 15HP short shaft mounted on a 5" raise/5" setback jackplate I fabricated myself. Prop is a Solas Amita 4 Blade 9.25x9.

[@TN_MuskyAddiction]

Sorry for the video cutout. My China action camera crapped out.

[@onthatdove]

Rocketman, I've already cut a 3' long by 6" deep tunnel hull into my first project jon boat and build flotation pods and absolutely love it. I am rigging up a smaller 13' jon boat with a 8hp yamaha. I can build a set up like you have in this video which wouldn't require me cutting into the jon and having to tig weld everything. Can you tell me the pros and cons to your external tunnel set up? I see that the only con may be too much distant weight hanging off the weak transom. What would you do different if done again?

[@TN_MuskyAddiction]

ONTHAT DOVE well the key to this setup working as well as it did was the jack plate and anchoring the pocket tunnel not only to the boat but to the jack plate as well. I had issues with it sucking the back of the boat down and also blowing out the prop. I fixed the suction by putting an air bleed valve on the roof of the tunnel and that solved that issue. As for blowing out the prop, the 4 blade prop helped but I still wasn’t enough. If I had it to do over again I’d say I needed to use a prop with way more pitch. Also the aluminum “permatrim” style plate made all the difference in keeping water pressure on the prop once it broke loose and surfaced.

[@willbryant304]

Hi I’m curious about this setup. I’m in Nashville and am also a musky fly fisherman. Would love to chat or meet if you’re available. I’ve been looking to do a similar setup and would enjoy picking your brain/musky fish.

[@TN_MuskyAddiction]

This setup was really cool and fun while it lasted, but it had flaws that caused me to retire it. I ended up going with an outboard jet unit and I haven't looked back since. As for the musky fishing, I'm always game for talking about it but I usually stay tight lipped about spots and tactics. They are over-pressured as it is and people who fish for them in TN work very hard to put slime in the net while also preserving the fishery. The more you fish for them the more you'll understand why I, along with most musky fishermen, take this stand. Keep an eye out for my new video series called "TN Musky Addiction" in the near future. Perhaps it will answer a lot of your questions. Thanks!