Van build · Carp fishing · Europe
Two of us, one Fiat Ducato, and a lot of lakes to get to.
We're Matt and Jem. We're turning a bare 2025 Ducato into an adventure van for carp fishing trips round Europe, and filming every bit of it. Mistakes very much included.
Why we're building it
It's all about the fishing
The van is how we get there. The point is carp fishing: proper sessions on lakes round Europe, waking up next to the water instead of driving to it in the dark.
So every decision in the build comes back to one question: does it make a long session easier? Once the van's done, the fishing trips go on this channel too.
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Rods
Somewhere for rods to live
Made up and safe on the road, so we can be fishing soon after we park.
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Bait
A fridge that keeps up
Bait for a week, and food for us. Power to run it without a hook-up.
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Kit
Room for the gear
Bedchair, barrow, unhooking mat and the rest, kept away from where we sleep.
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Distance
Comfortable over long miles
Europe's a long way. Swivel seats were the start of making it somewhere to live.
The van
Meet the Ducato
We've done this once before with a Transit Custom. This time it's bigger, taller, and has room for the rods.
- Base2025 Fiat Ducato
- RoofHigh
- GearboxAutomatic
- ColourSilverWe're working on that
- Last buildFord Transit Custom
- The planCarp fishing round Europe
Episodes
On the channel
A new build episode as each job gets done, and fishing trips once the van can take us. Watch them in order, or just skip to the bit where something falls over.
The van build
Meet the van
The series intro. What we bought, why a Ducato, and what we want it to be by the time it's done.
Bulkhead out and holes sealed
Out comes the bulkhead, in goes a lot of sealant. Our first proper day on the tools.
Swapping in swivel seats
Both front seats out, lowered bases and swivels in, one fall, and a seatbelt problem we didn't see coming.
Fishing trips
The first trip
As soon as the van can take us. Subscribe and you'll see it first.
Build log
Where we're up to
The short version of a long to-do list. Ticked off as each episode goes out.
- Episode 01Bought the van
- Episode 02Bulkhead out, holes sealed
- Episode 03Swivel seats in
- Coming upInsulation and sound deadening
- Coming upWindows and roof vent
- Coming upElectrics and solar
- Coming upBed, kitchen and rod storage
- ThenFirst trip to a European lake
About us
Matt and Jem
Two people talking to each other while we build, rather than presenting at you. We like carp fishing, we like a road trip, and we're learning a lot about rivets.
Enjoying the build?
Subscribe to follow along, and tell us in the comments what you'd do differently. We'll probably need it.