simbelle
Well-known member
Hey People, I have been trolling the sight for a little while now picking up pointers and answers. Now I've decided to join and share my experiences and hopefully gain some new knowledge. Without further a due here is my story. After going threw withdraws for about a year and a half after selling my 19' center console, (Man. I loved that boat!), I picked up an old 12' aluminum V hull, 15hp motor, trailer, 30lb thrust Minn Kota and Series 29 battery (both battery and trolling motor are less than a year old). Thought I was getting a great deal but after stripping some paint I'm thinking it was only a good deal.
Not sure of the maker of the boat but it looks like the one in Berto's link: https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=27433
Except t isn't in near as good shape. First thing I did was fill it with a couple inches of water to see were the inevitable leaks were. found 3 leaks one on the bow, and one in the rear in the keel and the last being in the rear keel runner type thing on the left, but nothing real serious, however after better inspection I found a significant patched hole in the rear next to the second stringer from the stern ( Plz don't ask me why I didn't look under the boat). Also after scrapping away paint and chalk and whatever I found that the 3rd and 4th stingers had breaks in them. I know what your thinking and believe me I thought it too: "Sell the boat for scrap and put out a couple hundred bucks and buy another boat!" This all being said I do have one thing in my favor, my cousin is probably the best welder in the world!
Here are some pictures of what I'm starting with. I will add more of the inside tomorrow. This should be fun.
my attempt to use some of that "Miracle low temp aluminum welding rod on the bow leak that had evidently been patched sometime in the past. Not a good Idea in hind sight
same thing on left runner thingy. (actually worked).
patch of G5 and fiberglass mesh from West Marine. Sanded down pretty smooth and tight
old patch that is really pretty good but may or may not be replaced with with a welded patch.
Plan is to finish removing paint inside and out, have my cousin MIG weld the cracked braces, the hole, weld aluminum channel runners for flooring (going to put them about 12" apart {48" beam} and lay 1/2" epoxied plywood) and slightly elevated front deck. Coat all seems inside and out with Gluvit ( actually complete outside to above riveted sides). Prime inside and out paint inside with a bilge paint (maybe) and the outside with Pettit Easypoxy. also need my cousin to extend my trailerr a couple feet and move the axle. I believe it was originally a Jet ski trailer.
Anyway that's my plan and I welcome your critique and opinions.
I will post more top side pictures tomorrow.
Not sure of the maker of the boat but it looks like the one in Berto's link: https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=27433
Except t isn't in near as good shape. First thing I did was fill it with a couple inches of water to see were the inevitable leaks were. found 3 leaks one on the bow, and one in the rear in the keel and the last being in the rear keel runner type thing on the left, but nothing real serious, however after better inspection I found a significant patched hole in the rear next to the second stringer from the stern ( Plz don't ask me why I didn't look under the boat). Also after scrapping away paint and chalk and whatever I found that the 3rd and 4th stingers had breaks in them. I know what your thinking and believe me I thought it too: "Sell the boat for scrap and put out a couple hundred bucks and buy another boat!" This all being said I do have one thing in my favor, my cousin is probably the best welder in the world!
Here are some pictures of what I'm starting with. I will add more of the inside tomorrow. This should be fun.
my attempt to use some of that "Miracle low temp aluminum welding rod on the bow leak that had evidently been patched sometime in the past. Not a good Idea in hind sight
same thing on left runner thingy. (actually worked).
patch of G5 and fiberglass mesh from West Marine. Sanded down pretty smooth and tight
old patch that is really pretty good but may or may not be replaced with with a welded patch.
Plan is to finish removing paint inside and out, have my cousin MIG weld the cracked braces, the hole, weld aluminum channel runners for flooring (going to put them about 12" apart {48" beam} and lay 1/2" epoxied plywood) and slightly elevated front deck. Coat all seems inside and out with Gluvit ( actually complete outside to above riveted sides). Prime inside and out paint inside with a bilge paint (maybe) and the outside with Pettit Easypoxy. also need my cousin to extend my trailerr a couple feet and move the axle. I believe it was originally a Jet ski trailer.
Anyway that's my plan and I welcome your critique and opinions.
I will post more top side pictures tomorrow.