I am still saving for a custom mud hull, and am running an old 17x38 Duracraft jon boat until I get up enough cheese.

For the first year, I did not have a grab bar, and almost went into the river a couple of times. Last week, one of the Sergeants that works for me, borrowed my boat to do a little fishing on the river. I told him to make sure and wear the kill switch, and explained that the 25 HP Kohler LT may not be real fast, but it jumps out quick, and can throw you out, and that not having a grab bar is not real safe.

He went ahead and fabricated a grab bar for me out of an old lawn mower handle. He used a piece of treated lumber to brace it against my live well, and it is rock sold with four heavy duty hose clamps holding it in place. He even painted it OD Green for me. I will hate retiring from the Army, when I no longer have squared away NCOs keeping me straight.

That'll work right there. Good thing is you shouldn't have to worry about going fast enough to break ribs if you smack into something. It'll probably still hurt though, but better than flying out!

I may need to lower it a little.

Here's another idea which I did. Go get a cheap hand dolly, saw the wheels off, bolt the flat part to your floor. Very cheap and works.