Three Of A Kind: Creating The Ultimate PWC Fishing Machines


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[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February of 2013, but was lost in the transition to The Watercraft Journal in November of that same year. It was one of our most popular stories and I really didn’t want to see it disappear, so here it is again. – Kevin]

Albert Martin of Martin’s Custom Structures in Gloucester, Virginia, called me up several months ago and said he wanted to thank me. Confused, I said “For what?” Apparently, someone overseas had been looking at my website and told Albert that they wanted three fishing-rigged personal watercraft “like Brian’s.” They knew that they wanted to have the latest Sea-Doos, but other than that, they told Albert to do anything and everything he could think of. As you can tell did not let them down.

Although the client wanted a ski “just like Brian’s” these Sea-Doos are significantly more heavily outfitted than my own. These have everything Albert could’ve imagined including a full array of above and underwater lighting, custom GPS/sounder systems, canvas canopies, axillary fuel tanks, live bait tanks and coolers. With his marching orders in hand, Albert went to Brian Barringer of Cycle City Corp in Newport News, Va. After looking over the available Sea-Doos, he purchased a trio of matching Sea-Doo RXT 260 iS.

The yellow-and-black triplets featured Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Suspension (iS) system, the industry’s only PWC fully-suspended top deck. Figuring that these machines would see plenty of offshore riding, the articulated coil-over suspension would come in hand. Additionally, the units feature Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR), the only functioning braking system on a PWC.

A custom-fabricated, foam-filled extra capacity fuel tank allows for the private owners of these new machines to travel further than their factory tanks would allow. Extra cooler storage compensates for the lost watertight storage in the bow. Even with the forward towers, the front hatches open without conflict.

Each of the three Sea-Doos carry the same Garmin GPS/depth sounding equipment, switch panels and controls. All towers have windshields and canvas roofs as well as integrated pole holders in a myriad of positions. The extensive aluminum pipework with multiple rod holders is like a work of art, I am always in awe of the perfect welds that Albert and his son Chad create. Templates were created from one and used as the pattern to build the following two units.

I stopped by this shop when they were completed and to take a look before they were to be shipped overseas. I am glad that other people from all over are taking interest in Jet Ski Fishing. It is something I thoroughly enjoy and I encourage others to try. With everything poured into these custom machines, truly these three of kind watercraft are one of a kind!

“Three Of A Kind–Fishing Machines!” was first published February 21st, 2012 by Brian Lockwood at JetSkiBrian.com. It can be found in its entirety HERE

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Brian Lockwood

Starting with a used '01 Yamaha SUV 1200, Brian logged 450 hours of riding and fishing within 18 months. Since then, he has become an ambassador for PWC fishing, providing presentations for Bass Pro Shops, national fishing competitions, and boat shows. His blog www.JetSkiBrian.com and subsequent posts on Atlantic Anglers and Tidalfish bring in over 15,000 readers with each post.

3 comments

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  1. Differant Brian 16 April, 2017 at 09:04 Reply

    So, my first thought was the time restriction of using PWC as fishing vessel… ie, no pre-dawn sbove offs, no late evening returns, no overnights.

    Then I see that these have lighting… uh, what gives?

  2. Ryan 4 May, 2017 at 07:02 Reply

    I think I understand the thrust of Different Brian’s comment. I consider my PWC, as just that, a waterCRAFT. I love the idea of using it in a multi functional way, including inshore, as well as offshore fishing. But until the laws change regarding operating a pwc from sunset to sunrise, many riders like me, remain frustrated by our limited options for using our vessels.
    These are beautiful pics of a stunning build out, but the marker lights, as well as the above and underwater lights seem pointless given the laws pertaining to night riding on our jetski’s. I for one sure wish they weren’t! Can we rally as a group and change things? There should be allowance for those willing to properly outfit their pwc’s for the darkness and maybe require us to undergo some safety class even. That’s my take. What does the people say?

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