MARCH 2007

One of the wonderful things about what I do for a living is the opportunity to meet interesting and talented people. These partnerships of talent make for unique niches in a rapidly advancing recreational and outdoor industry. Several individuals that I met all had something in common, each had a PHD. This PHD is one that is the key to success. Passion, Heart and Desire is the formula for success.

In the little river town of Bartonville, Illinois is a small family boat building business called AAD Welding by Allen Hamm Sr. Allen Jr., and David Hamm. The roots of these entrepreneurial innovators started with Allen senior’s uncle Dallas a wooden boat builder at the tail end of the market hunting days. At this point in time the aluminum boats were coming on to the scene and the wooden boats were slowly taking the back seat. The Hamm family has been a river fishing and hunting family for generations. At the time wood boats were slowing up and aluminums were taking the lead the need to get back into the shallows was the driving force as the tunnel boat design became big. The Hamm boys brought hands on engineering to the tunnel boat industry setting the standards for travel in the back waters. Every time a new need surfaced they put their hearts into solving the problems whether it was a cat fishing boat rescue boat, clamming boat or what ever, they build it.

ALLEN HAMM SR.
A.A.D. Custom Boats
& Welding

Doug Starr a good friend and bass fishing buddy started a bass fishing tournament circuit called Illinois Bass 25 that catered to the needs of fishing local lakes that have a 25 horse motor restriction. Over the years I have watched Doug develop into a real master of the local bass fishing industry. Doug’s Passion, Heart and Desire has made him a craftsman of the bass stalkers, he fishes 12 months a year averaging 100 trips to the lake. The accomplishments of Bass 25 are truly outstanding with more things on the horizon.

Recently Doug sought out the assistance of AAD Welding to build a “niche “ boat. A nitch boat is a uniquely designed boat that brings together all the specific individual specifications one may have for your special need. Some of the factors that are concerns are weight, speed, lay out for organization, safety, maintenance and equipment quality just to name a few.

Many factory boats have a plywood deck that is heavy and creates maintenance issues. The all aluminum decks with a seamless granulated rubber surface eliminates weight, solves maintenance problems and creates a safe platform to fish from. Weight is a factor that affects whole shots, your ability to get on plane are all aspects of the equation that affects time. Time management also involves tackle organization, equipment quality and creature comforts, all these play a part in time management. You need space to be organized because un-organization in the boat is frustrating and time consuming according to Mr. Starr. A fast boat doesn’t make you the best but good management gives you time and time will help talent catch fish. If your lure is not in the water it will be difficult to catch fish.

T o design a niche boat every step you make is calculated, every compartment is designed and located knowing what is in it based on its use in relationship to your reach.
Tracking all your frustrations over time and all the what if’s help in designing a niche boat. No two are alike; they are as unique as the individual fishing out of it.

After Dave Hamm and Doug Starr pour their hearts and minds in to the chemistry the formula isn’t complete till the team effort of Buell’s Marine in Canton, IL do their magic. Transom angles, prop pitch and size along with motor spec’s and size bring it all together in a one of a kind Neat Niche. The guys at AAD Welding have a life time guarantee on welding, materials and craftsmanship

This team work effort of Passion, Heart and Desire is the reason we have awarded them all with the MVP AWARD OF EXCELLENCE. Keep up the good work and thanks.

Article by: Don Fraim