Toto XL - Angler Edition click here to read or make an observation about this  article
By Glynn Sirmans - Milledgeville, Georgia - USA

After fishing from my first Toto I decided to build another one with some new ideas I needed for river fishing. I lengthen the boat to 14 ft., moved the front and rear inner forms toward the ends to give me 8 ft. of interior space.

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This added interior space would give me more room for fishing poles, tackle and a cooler.

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I widen the rear transom 2 inches hoping to give more lift and weight capacity. Getting the plans for the Larsboat and subtracting a foot from the rear would have been easier. I think all boat builders have a desire to change, modify, or create something.

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I used the Economy Marine Epoxy; it sure is easier to work with than polyester resin. I was very pleased with its strength, clear finish and “working time”.

 
Here she is weighting in at 53 lbs. and ready for finishing and paint. One and a half gallons of resin/hardener were enough to finish this boat, paddle and chair.

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Added a “drag chain” that acts like a fishing anchor, this slows down the “float” while drifting to give you more time to fish.

 
A camcleat mounted to inside gunwale for the anchor rope is perfect if a “quick” release is needed while floating a river.

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Woodburned a fish image on the rear deck. If I known it would turn out so well I would have made it bigger.

 
Comfort is important on an all day fishing trip. I’ve always noticed how comfortable my front porch swing is. Using it as a pattern, I “lofted” the dimensions to make a narrow kayak seat.

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Camping and fishing at the beach has been one of my family’s favorite Vacations. While my wife and two daughters were away “shopping” I would need transportation to the surf or bay.

 
I strap a set of tires under the toto and turn it into a “beach trailer”. The cart is made of PVC pipe with a 5/8 inch threaded rod running all the way through the frame for an axle.

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I plan to “brace up” the hitch at the rear of the bike by running flat Aluminum or flattened thin-wall conduit from the hitch to the bicycle rear axle.

 
I was surprised how sturdy the wheel frame was when strapped underneath the Kayak.

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The “TotoXL” handled real well on the river, the extra foot in length (14 ft.) And 2 inches wider in the rear was a noticeable difference. The seat was extremely comfortable when used with a boat cushion.

 
Here’s a picture of the first fish caught to “christen” the boat. This is a shoal bass; they are indigenous to East Alabama and West Georgia.

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I hope Jim knows what a great river fishing craft he designed when
he came up with this boat.

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