Inside DeFoe’s winning boat

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Ott DeFoe won on Douglas Lake for the second time in three years, this time fishing from a tunnel hull aluminum boat. The latest win came at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open. This behind-the-scenes gallery shows the boats used by DeFoe and his friends. All Captions by Craig Lamb.
Ott DeFoe won on Douglas Lake for the second time in three years, this time fishing from a tunnel hull aluminum boat. The latest win came at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open. This behind-the-scenes gallery shows the boats used by DeFoe and his friends. All Captions by Craig Lamb.
Skylar Hamilton, Mike Watson and DeFoe pose with their tunnel hull aluminum boats. Each is different but all have the same purpose. Running fast in the skinniest water. The trio used the rigs to venture far up the French Broad River that is too treacherous and rocky for fiberglass rigs.
Skylar Hamilton, Mike Watson and DeFoe pose with their tunnel hull aluminum boats. Each is different but all have the same purpose. Running fast in the skinniest water. The trio used the rigs to venture far up the French Broad River that is too treacherous and rocky for fiberglass rigs.
East Tennessee is home to all and the swift, clear headwaters and rivers of area lakes offer relatively unpressured fishing for smallmouth. “These boats are more necessity than anything else,” said Watson, who customized each boat. Watson owns and operates his custom shop, Watson Welding, in Bluff City.
East Tennessee is home to all and the swift, clear headwaters and rivers of area lakes offer relatively unpressured fishing for smallmouth. “These boats are more necessity than anything else,” said Watson, who customized each boat. Watson owns and operates his custom shop, Watson Welding, in Bluff City.
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Skylar Hamilton uses this rig for fun fishing around home. It’s an Xpress Boats XP7 Express. The boat is 17” with a beam of 86.” “The boat was shipped to Mike and he converted it from a basic panfish boat to what I need for bass fishing.”
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Skylar Hamilton uses this rig for fun fishing around home. It’s an Xpress Boats XP7 Express. The boat is 17” with a beam of 86.” “The boat was shipped to Mike and he converted it from a basic panfish boat to what I need for bass fishing.”
“I like this SeaDek surface because it’s non-skid and provides better footing,” explained Hamilton. “It’s good for a rugged boat like this, because it protects the floor from scratching and dents.”
“I like this SeaDek surface because it’s non-skid and provides better footing,” explained Hamilton. “It’s good for a rugged boat like this, because it protects the floor from scratching and dents.”
Here’s the bling. A 70 horsepower, four stroke Yamaha Outboard is mounted to double hydraulic jack plates mounted to the transom. So is a 4-inch TH Marine Static Height Plate. Aluminum plates and four-stroke technology benefit the lightweight package.
Here’s the bling. A 70 horsepower, four stroke Yamaha Outboard is mounted to double hydraulic jack plates mounted to the transom. So is a 4-inch TH Marine Static Height Plate. Aluminum plates and four-stroke technology benefit the lightweight package.
The extra setback distance between outboard and hull is necessary. Undisturbed water plumes from beneath the hull and towards the prop to give it more bite.
The extra setback distance between outboard and hull is necessary. Undisturbed water plumes from beneath the hull and towards the prop to give it more bite.
A TH Marine Micro Jacker is mounted behind an Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate to provide substantial lift for the outboard to keep it running in inches deep water.
A TH Marine Micro Jacker is mounted behind an Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate to provide substantial lift for the outboard to keep it running in inches deep water.
“I added trim tabs to make the hull run flatter,” said Hamilton. Those are Ultraflex UFLEX Trim Tabs.
“I added trim tabs to make the hull run flatter,” said Hamilton. Those are Ultraflex UFLEX Trim Tabs.
To get the most performance and fuel economy Hamilton chose this PowerTech Prop. The model is an SWW4, 13 pitch and 13.5 inches in diameter.
To get the most performance and fuel economy Hamilton chose this PowerTech Prop. The model is an SWW4, 13 pitch and 13.5 inches in diameter.
“I added this hydrofoil to help the hole shot, get the boat up quicker and on plane faster, which is important in the shallow water.”
“I added this hydrofoil to help the hole shot, get the boat up quicker and on plane faster, which is important in the shallow water.”
At the rear of the tunnel hull is the wing. It functions to open and close the tunnel.
At the rear of the tunnel hull is the wing. It functions to open and close the tunnel.
Also on the transom is a Power-Pole Pro Series II in the 6-foot model. In this view the outboard is raised to its maximum height, which down below is flush with the hull running surface.
Also on the transom is a Power-Pole Pro Series II in the 6-foot model. In this view the outboard is raised to its maximum height, which down below is flush with the hull running surface.
Mike Watson’s rig is the biggest of all. Watson designed the layout and did all the fabrication work from stem to stern. Overall length is 21’ 6” with a massive beam of 106 inches. A 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS powers the 1,500-pound rig.
Mike Watson’s rig is the biggest of all. Watson designed the layout and did all the fabrication work from stem to stern. Overall length is 21’ 6” with a massive beam of 106 inches. A 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS powers the 1,500-pound rig.
“I designed it for running in skinny water with all the features needed for a lake boat.” Here’s the proof. On the bow are two Humminbird Helix 10 Si units.
“I designed it for running in skinny water with all the features needed for a lake boat.” Here’s the proof. On the bow are two Humminbird Helix 10 Si units.
Watson’s namesake boat means what says. The hull and sides are made from 3/16-inch thick aluminum. Watson needs it when running through the swift, narrow channels that are lined with hull-piercing boulders.
Watson’s namesake boat means what says. The hull and sides are made from 3/16-inch thick aluminum. Watson needs it when running through the swift, narrow channels that are lined with hull-piercing boulders.
The console layout is simple for a reason. Staying focused ahead while running through inches deep water is a must. For lake fishing he uses Humminbird Helix 7 and Helix 12 units mounted above the dashboard.
The console layout is simple for a reason. Staying focused ahead while running through inches deep water is a must. For lake fishing he uses Humminbird Helix 7 and Helix 12 units mounted above the dashboard.
“I did a lot of experimenting since this is such a big boat,” he said. “It’s built more for functionality that looks.” Even so, Watson has applied for patents for his tunnel hull designs.
“I did a lot of experimenting since this is such a big boat,” he said. “It’s built more for functionality that looks.” Even so, Watson has applied for patents for his tunnel hull designs.
Watson tells DeFoe this is his rod locker and then opens it up. “I also designed this box specifically to hold a complete gear case.” He never knows when it might come in handy while fishing in remote headwaters.
Watson tells DeFoe this is his rod locker and then opens it up. “I also designed this box specifically to hold a complete gear case.” He never knows when it might come in handy while fishing in remote headwaters.
Inside are other necessities for running in the remote, skinny water. A prop wrench, spare prop and sandals to wear when going over board and stepping on sharp rocks.
Inside are other necessities for running in the remote, skinny water. A prop wrench, spare prop and sandals to wear when going over board and stepping on sharp rocks.
A beam of 8 feet wide provides plenty of room for other storage compartments. This one is located beside the gear case/rod storage.
A beam of 8 feet wide provides plenty of room for other storage compartments. This one is located beside the gear case/rod storage.
A man’s got to eat when making the long runs upriver and into the headwaters, where marinas are far away. This storage compartment is forward of the console.
A man’s got to eat when making the long runs upriver and into the headwaters, where marinas are far away. This storage compartment is forward of the console.
Here’s the juice for this tank of a boat. In this position the tunnel is open and engine risen to maximum height, simulating the setup when running in the shallowest of areas.
Here’s the juice for this tank of a boat. In this position the tunnel is open and engine risen to maximum height, simulating the setup when running in the shallowest of areas.
DeFoe gained access to the upper reaches of the French Broad River using this rig. The boat is a Tracker/Grizzly 1754 SC, with a length overall of length of 17’ 1” and a wide 78” beam.
DeFoe gained access to the upper reaches of the French Broad River using this rig.
The boat is a Tracker/Grizzly 1754 SC, with a length overall of length of 17’ 1” and a wide 78” beam.
DeFoe and Hamilton use a similar jack plate setup. The outboard is mounted to a TH Marine Micro Jacker behind an Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate. The transom extends an extra 4-inches with the integrated setback plate.
DeFoe and Hamilton use a similar jack plate setup. The outboard is mounted to a TH Marine Micro Jacker behind an Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate. The transom extends an extra 4-inches with the integrated setback plate.
A 60 horsepower Mercury FourStroke chosen for performance fuel economy powers the boat and most of all, keeps it lightweight.
A 60 horsepower Mercury FourStroke chosen for performance fuel economy powers the boat and most of all, keeps it lightweight.
Water rushes through the tunnel and creates hydrostatic lift for shallow water running. This boat will run on plane in about 3 inches of water with the tunnel open and engine raised flush with the bottom of the hull.
Water rushes through the tunnel and creates hydrostatic lift for shallow water running. This boat will run on plane in about 3 inches of water with the tunnel open and engine raised flush with the bottom of the hull.
Water exits the tunnel and the plume of undisturbed water is directed toward the prop. The setback distance provided by the jack plates and hull allows the prop to get a better bite as water flows through the blades.
Water exits the tunnel and the plume of undisturbed water is directed toward the prop. The setback distance provided by the jack plates and hull allows the prop to get a better bite as water flows through the blades.
The Grizzly is designed as a utility boat, even though this model has accessories found on the bow of DeFoe’s Nitro Z21. Those include a Hydrowave, Humminbird Helix 9 and a Minn Kota Ultrex 112.
The Grizzly is designed as a utility boat, even though this model has accessories found on the bow of DeFoe’s Nitro Z21. Those include a Hydrowave, Humminbird Helix 9 and a Minn Kota Ultrex 112.
DeFoe is ready for five keepers with the culling tags hanging from the console.
DeFoe is ready for five keepers with the culling tags hanging from the console.
This view of the outboard raised to maximum height clearly shows why the boat is capable of running in extreme shallow water.
This view of the outboard raised to maximum height clearly shows why the boat is capable of running in extreme shallow water.
“I extended the forward storage to create this center rod compartment.” The adjacent lure storage resembles the size found in large tournament sized fiberglass rigs.
“I extended the forward storage to create this center rod compartment.” The adjacent lure storage resembles the size found in large tournament sized fiberglass rigs.
At the bow is a compartment holding three Lithium Pros batteries to run the 36-volt trolling motor and power it’s 112 pounds of maximum thrust. “Sometimes in the current I need it all,” he added.
At the bow is a compartment holding three Lithium Pros batteries to run the 36-volt trolling motor and power it’s 112 pounds of maximum thrust. “Sometimes in the current I need it all,” he added.
VERSATRACK from Tracker Boats is a standard accessory rail with optional attachments. DeFoe added this tool holder at the bow for convenience.
VERSATRACK from Tracker Boats is a standard accessory rail with optional attachments. DeFoe added this tool holder at the bow for convenience.
“TH Marine has about everything you need to customize an aluminum boat like mine,” he said. A must have for tournaments is the automatic livewell timer.
“TH Marine has about everything you need to customize an aluminum boat like mine,” he said. A must have for tournaments is the automatic livewell timer.
“I took these out of my previous year’s Nitro Z21 and added the big seats to the Grizzly,” he said. The throne-sized chairs provide comfort, and the higher view adds even better visibility while running in shallow water.
“I took these out of my previous year’s Nitro Z21 and added the big seats to the Grizzly,” he said. The throne-sized chairs provide comfort, and the higher view adds even better visibility while running in shallow water.
“B.A.S.S. rules allow for an up to 18-gallon portable fuel tank and here is mine.” DeFoe chose the size for less weight, plus the Mercury four-stroke provides better fuel economy. He switched out the stock fuel cell to make room for the tank.
“B.A.S.S. rules allow for an up to 18-gallon portable fuel tank and here is mine.” DeFoe chose the size for less weight, plus the Mercury four-stroke provides better fuel economy. He switched out the stock fuel cell to make room for the tank.