DuckChaser's 1652 Alweld mod - fish/hunt

I got my first boat a couple of weeks ago. It is a 1652 Alweld. It has a Evinrude 48 SPL on it. I was looking for a project boat and that is exactly what I got. The boat was in decent shape when I got it. There were only consmetic issues. I have been working on getting everything stripped down. I am at the point now that I have a few questions for some seasoned tin moders. I got everything taken out and most of it cleaned up. I am in the process of removing all of the old bed liner the PO had installed. It is a pain to get off. I have put a coat of primer on boat and painted the bottom (the wife had to have the garage back so I only painted the bottom). I will paint the sides when I paint the inside. I have plans to put hydro turf in (I already have the hyrdo turf), add a gun/tackle box, and redo all of the wiring. The wiring was horrible. That was the first thing that I cut out. I am also planning on extending the back deck. I lucked out and the PO had already installed an aluminum floor. So I didn't have to buy aluminum for that. I got plywood, lumber, and all the wiring from work. I guess it pays to be in construction industry sometimes. I do appologize for the long opening post and the poor picture quality. They are from my phone. Please feel free to add any comments or suggestions and thanks for looking.

Hydroturf is a great product. I used it on my previous boat (https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=15412). You will be pleased with it. Did you buy the kind that already has the adhesive on it?

RiverBottomOutdoors said:

Hydroturf is a great product. I used it on my previous boat (https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=15412). You will be pleased with it. Did you buy the kind that already has the adhesive on it?

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I got the kind without the adhesive. I am going to use the 3M spray or contact cement.

Nice! Where did you source your hydroturf? I had trouble navigating the website.

Looks great, I will be following closely, as mine is a HUNT/fish build

Depending on where you hunt, you might wanna consider switching it to a tiller steer outboard. In timber the remote steering isn't ideal. The response time isn't as fast as with a tiller and you can't make turns as sharp as with tiller. I considered doing a gun locker/side bench on my 1648, but I couldn't figure out an easy way to make it removable for fishing season. I also considered making one that could double as a large livewell (I trotline for flatheads and blues), but with the amount of water the livewell would hold it would have to be on the opposite side of the boat I sit on the run the outboard and then it would be on the wrong side when it came time to duck hunt. So I instead cut the center bench and made a 20 inch walkway through there so I don't have to climb over the seat when wearing waders or trip on it when running jugs at night. Now I can lay a 2x8 down the side, resting on the rear bench and one half of what is left of the center seat for duck hunting and still have a pretty open floor for fishing.
Chris

Pweisbrod said:

Nice! Where did you source your hydroturf? I had trouble navigating the website.

Looks great, I will be following closely, as mine is a HUNT/fish build

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Thanks! Here is a link to where I got my hydro turf: https://hydroturf.com/products/Closeouts_and_Specials/Sheets_of_Turf

I got the tan. I called up there to ask about it. They were really helpful. The guy told me it would fade to a grey color. Grey was my second option so I have no problem with that.

chrispbrown27 said:

Depending on where you hunt, you might wanna consider switching it to a tiller steer outboard. In timber the remote steering isn't ideal. The response time isn't as fast as with a tiller and you can't make turns as sharp as with tiller. I considered doing a gun locker/side bench on my 1648, but I couldn't figure out an easy way to make it removable for fishing season. I also considered making one that could double as a large livewell (I trotline for flatheads and blues), but with the amount of water the livewell would hold it would have to be on the opposite side of the boat I sit on the run the outboard and then it would be on the wrong side when it came time to duck hunt. So I instead cut the center bench and made a 20 inch walkway through there so I don't have to climb over the seat when wearing waders or trip on it when running jugs at night. Now I can lay a 2x8 down the side, resting on the rear bench and one half of what is left of the center seat for duck hunting and still have a pretty open floor for fishing.
Chris

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Thanks for the comments. The areas that I hunt are pretty open so the remote steer will be fine. I like the console. It may get in the way later, but for now I like it. I am going to model my blind after Beavertails blinds. They fold to one side when they are in travel mode. That way I don't have to worry about the console. I am still trying to make my mind up on the gun box. I know I want one, but I am still trying to get the details worked out in my head #-o . I do like the 2x8 idea though if I had a middle bench.

Well I got the boat painted this weekend. I will upload a few pictures later. I have a question for you guys. I am looking at making my portable gas tank semi permanent. I want to extend my back deck to cover it. Here is the question part, do they make a filler neck for the portable gas cans? I don't want the deck to have a hinge on it. Should I just buy a 6" round hatch to put in? I was hoping to avoid this with some sort of extension that I can buy that allows me to fill the tank.

Here are some pictures of the boat painted.

DuckChaser said:

Well I got the boat painted this weekend. I will upload a few pictures later. I have a question for you guys. I am looking at making my portable gas tank semi permanent. I want to extend my back deck to cover it. Here is the question part, do they make a filler neck for the portable gas cans? I don't want the deck to have a hinge on it. Should I just buy a 6" round hatch to put in? I was hoping to avoid this with some sort of extension that I can buy that allows me to fill the tank.

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Nice boat man. I'd either hinge (my preference) or do a hatch. With the tank under the deck you need to be able to reach the gas tank vent screw easily AND you'll need a vent for the deck for safety reasons. Batteries, believe or not, need to be vented as well (notice the vents in battery boxes) they put off fumes too. I believe particularly while charging. Just my two cents

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I put a 12 gallon tank under the front deck with a simple hatch.

vahunter said:

DuckChaser said:

Well I got the boat painted this weekend. I will upload a few pictures later. I have a question for you guys. I am looking at making my portable gas tank semi permanent. I want to extend my back deck to cover it. Here is the question part, do they make a filler neck for the portable gas cans? I don't want the deck to have a hinge on it. Should I just buy a 6" round hatch to put in? I was hoping to avoid this with some sort of extension that I can buy that allows me to fill the tank.

Click to expand...

Nice boat man. I'd either hinge (my preference) or do a hatch. With the tank under the deck you need to be able to reach the gas tank vent screw easily AND you'll need a vent for the deck for safety reasons. Batteries, believe or not, need to be vented as well (notice the vents in battery boxes) they put off fumes too. I believe particularly while charging. Just my two cents

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

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Thanks! I have been thinking about it and I believe I am going to hinge it. It will be easier in the long run. I noticed another post that had some vents that I am going to install. My batteries will be located in between the two seats so they should have plenty of air. Thanks for the suggestions.

lckstckn2smknbrls said:

I put a 12 gallon tank under the front deck with a simple hatch.

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That is a pretty nice looking.

I have been doing a few things here and there this week. I wired up the TM plug that I bought. I also order a new butt seat for the front. I have not got as much accomplished this week because my new companion has been keeping me busy. I plan on getting the motor hung, wiring up the running and nav lights, and possibly putting in the floor. I will have to see how much free time I get.

Awesome dog, I remember when mine was that age.....he is an old man now at 13.....one of the true love's of my life.

bigwave said:

Awesome dog, I remember when mine was that age.....he is an old man now at 13.....one of the true love's of my life.

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Thanks bigwave! She is getting big and loves to get into things. I always wanted a dog and the time was right so I went ahead and got her. The same situation with the boat. :lol:

I didn't have as much time this weekend as I wanted. I cut a hole for the bildge and installed the hose. I started working on the floor, but I still have a little fine tuning to do. I also got a new navigation light and got it installed. Saturday after I got through with some family things, I went and picked up a few things. I got all the misc electrical things that I will need and an adjustable seat base for my new butt seat that I ordered. I am hoping this weekend I will be 90% done if I can get some help on Saturday. [-o< We will see how that goes. Pictures to come.

The weather did not allow me to get near as much done as I wanted this weekend. We got rain most of the day Saturday so I was unable to get the boat out of the garage. I got the motor hung and the floor in on Sunday though. I started on the back deck extension. I got my 2x2s coated with spar. Hopefully this week I will be able to get some more done. I got a few pictures that I will post when I get a chance.