Hells bay plankton poling platform

7126 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by jmrodandgun, Sep 29, 2019

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · Aug 2, 2019

2

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I know a lot of you aren’t fans of these boats, but it’s my first Hells bay, and I came from a Gheenoe 15’4 so I still feel like it’s a step up haha. Anyways I make poling platforms, casting platforms, and grab bars ect.
Just wanted to show them off a little haha.

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Panamakid

· #2 · Aug 2, 2019

What model boat is that? Your metalwork looks very good.

Reactions: 1

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 2, 2019

It’s a 2003 HB Plankton aka (ultimate skiff) Chris Morejohn said he made 5 of them at hells bay and two others that were unbranded I think. There’s a thread on it here on microskiff somewhere. I’ll try to send a link.

And thanks! If you or anyone needs anything made just lemme know.

Reactions: 2

Fritz

· #4 · Aug 2, 2019

Wow, so that really is a Hells Bay, very cool.

Where are you located? I’ll be in the market for a poling platform and maybe some kind of grab bar in the not to distant future.

Reactions: 1

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 2, 2019

Fritz said:
Wow, so that really is a Hells Bay, very cool.

Where are you located? I’ll be in the market for a poling platform and maybe some kind of grab bar in the not to distant future.

My metal fab shop is in Maggie Valley NC but I’m traveling between there and Boca Raton Florida frequently. So I can deliver pretty much anywhere in Florida, eastern GA, and SC.

Reactions: 2

Indoman

· #6 · Aug 3, 2019

Nice! Very cool to see pictures of that hull too. I’m considering building a 12’ Boron once CM gets the plans out and it sounds like the Plankton is basically and early version of the Boron.

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Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 14, 2019

2

Small update guys, just installed the casting platform. It changed the look more that i thought it would lol, still kinda looks like a "HB" stumpknocker though.

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masonFish

· #8 · Aug 18, 2019

Very cool man, you have a piece of history!

Reactions: 1

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 18, 2019

masonFish said:
Very cool man, you have a piece of history!

Thanks man! I’m loving it, it drafts shallow enough and the ride is great.
Perfect for two people going to sling some flys.

Reactions: 2

Smackdaddy53

· #10 · Aug 18, 2019

That thing is badass!

Reactions: 1

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 18, 2019

Smackdaddy53 said:
That thing is badass!

Thanks! Yeah I think the new poling platform on there cleaned up the look a bit. The original ones that came on these were kinda goofy looking haha.

Smackdaddy53

· #12 · Aug 18, 2019

What’s the draft on that sucker unloaded and with two people?

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flyclimber

· #13 · Aug 18, 2019

Smackdaddy53 said:
What’s the draft on that sucker unloaded and with two people?

Is 0" in soft mud a rating?

I do remember seeing a discussion about these boats! Looks cool! I think personally I would have more gussets on the curved Poling platform but the shape is killer!

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Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 18, 2019

I've not measured but id say its somewhere in the 3" to 4" mark. I'll measure it next time I'm on the water and let ya know.

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 18, 2019

flyclimber said:
Is 0" in soft mud a rating?

I do remember seeing a discussion about these boats! Looks cool! I think personally I would have more gussets on the curved Poling platform but the shape is killer!

I was thinking about putting some more gussets on the platform but I'm pretty light and its 6160 aluminum so it should hold up alright, and it seems anytime i take anyone out I'm always the one poling haha. And thanks for the comments on the shape!

Reactions: 1

RABillstein

· #16 · Aug 23, 2019

What a fun nugget of Hells Bay history you have. Beat the heck out of it and enjoy!

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Chris Morejohn

· #17 · Aug 27, 2019

Boat Water transportation Vehicle Sailing Sail

Here is my Plankton skiff on deck of my sailboat 6 days ago sailing along to BC on the last leg of my Pacific voyage. This skiff weighs 130 lbs and I built it with a solid glass hull and cored seats, stern etc. I designed it when we first started Hells Bay. I have been across the Gulf Stream in it and regularly travel 15-20 miles offshore along coast and islands exploring. I use a 15 yahama. I am looking forward to seeing how stable it is with the tower when poling. I know from experience you cannot tip one over.
I will be building some one-off skiffs in MT. OLIVE NC this winter so send me your email so I can get you to make my towers. I will be building fiberglass fuel tanks but will need towers.
There are a bunch of videos of this design and builds I did from these skiffs I built personally 27-29 years ago on my Instagram site. 7 were built for clients when I ran-the shop at HB, I built 3 for myself, 3 others were built by sailing friends, and many bare hulls were sold to friends to build on their own. The one pictured here I built from the ruined mold 8 years ago which I borrowed from HB. Great little skiff with the Chines low it’s very dry running for a 12’3” skiff. It will draft about 5” with 3 people in it. I have carried up to 13 people in mine.

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Charles Hadley

· #18 · Sep 28, 2019

Fritz said:
Wow, so that really is a Hells Bay, very cool.

Where are you located? I’ll be in the market for a poling platform and maybe some kind of grab bar in the not to distant future.

My son owns a fab shop just north of St.Augustine. @darkwatercustoms904.check him out.tell him his dad sent ya,lol

Reactions: 1

Squirrel

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 29, 2019

Oh and if anyone was wondering my email in [email protected]
We specialize in custom welded skiff accessories.

Reactions: 1

jmrodandgun

· #20 · Sep 29, 2019

That thing tickles my weird bone. I like it.

Reactions: 1

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