What have you done to your Tin Boat today?

Saw a thread like this on a motorhome forum and though it was great! lots of storage and upgrade ideas. It probably made me spend more money then I should have! I thought I'd get one going on this forum, similar to what @LDUBS just posted. So I will start with an upgrade I did today. Been trying to figure out how to stow the bimini top while not using it. I bought a Bimini slide track kit to push the bimini back while not using it. I ordered the 18" kit but probably needed it to be longer Slide track kit It helped make more room in the boat (16' Crestliner) and allowed seating in the back. Here's what it looked like prior to the slide, no way for someone to sit in the back.



after sliding rail




I ordered a Kayak roof mount "foam". Not sure this is the answer for supporting the bimini, but for now, this is what I'm doing. I think there's something better out there, so hoping I see a better solution. I have more sections available for the kayak roof foam if anyone need it. I just cut off a piece and velcro'd it to one of the poles.

Kayak Foam

A while back I added a tach. Also shown in the pic are a couple of toggle switches and fuses I added some time ago. One is for the Humminbird. The other is just in case I need it in the future for something. Right now it controls the tach light & panel outlets. The silver knob below that is the 3 position nav/anchor light push/pull switch the came with the boat. I probably should do some labels.

What did I do to my tinny today?

Stared at her lovingly.

Mounted a orca 40qt cooler . I must have looked at every brand that sells coolers to find one that would fit between the rod boxes and still allow room for my tackle bag yet not be much if any taller than the casting deck. It not only holds food/drinks for long days/nights but now a full size airmattress fits if anybody needs a nap lol.

LDUBS said:

A while back I added a tach. Also shown in the pic are a couple of toggle switches and fuses I added some time ago. One is for the Humminbird. The other is just in case I need it in the future for something. Right now it controls the tach light & panel outlets. The silver knob below that is the 3 position nav/anchor light push/pull switch the came with the boat. I probably should do some labels.

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I bought one of these on sale for $18, labeled my 4 switches, lol Blue tooth printer

I hitched mine up, went to the ramp, saw it was low tide and no water, and they were dredging there so I went to the next ramp, it was closed, I went south to another ramp and it was full of jet skis and tubers lined up for half a mile trying to fight over two ramps with some idiot who got his boat stuck under the floating dock somehow. I tried one more and that one had a bunch of cop cars and some truck with all the windows blown out being looked over. I went home and a had a few beers and mowed my lawn instead. I'll try again next week when the Memorial day weekenders subside. I value my truck too much to deal with all of the insanity this week. All the docks were lined with dozens of little short guys fishing with wife and kids in tow too, all in beat up vans and trucks with out of state tags speaking Mexican who ignore you when your trying to back down a ramp that they've claimed as their fishing spot too.

After 1 1/2 years of use after re-painting my 12” tinny, I decided to do all the touch-up painting needed. I have three different paints - bottom, topside, and non-skid floor paint. It wasn’t a lot to do, just tedious doing the few spots on all three painted areas. But once done, it felt very rewarding - like a new boat!

Question: What’s the best way to store small amounts of left over paint to be used for touch ups?

TriBull said:

After 1 1/2 years of use after re-painting my 12” tinny, I decided to do all the touch-up painting needed. I have three different paints - bottom, topside, and non-skid floor paint. It wasn’t a lot to do, just tedious doing the few spots on all three painted areas. But once done, it felt very rewarding - like a new boat!

Question: What’s the best way to store small amounts of left over paint to be used for touch ups?

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This is what I've seen guys do with wood finishes. They push a piece of plastic wrap (like Saran wrap) into the can so it is floating on the remaining paint. Smooth it up the insides of the can then put the lid on. Idea is to eliminate exposure to air.

LDUBS said:

This is what I've seen guys do with wood finishes. They push a piece of plastic wrap (like Saran wrap) into the can so it is floating on the remaining paint. Smooth it up the insides of the can then put the lid on. Idea is to eliminate exposure to air.

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Brilliant solution! Thank you!!

I promised them both a trip to the lake next week..... they seemed pleased....

Added a second keel roller hoping I quit banging into my trailer while loading. Also did the @LDUBS Bimini quick release mode.

Update: don’t do the second roller, they don’t roll very well. Can’t get the boat off the trailer unless I back in enough to float it off

How the heck you keep the bottom of the hull so clean?

So far my quick release hinges are working great. I think it was a good move to add them.

I also have an EZLoader trailer. On mine the bow roller sits further forward than yours I think. On retrieval my boat normally rubs on the tongue piece right about where the side frames connect to the tongue. I keep thinking about putting a piece vinyl downspout or something there. Not an issue loading but I guess I should wear out a piece of vinyl instead of my bow stem. One of these days I might should do something about it. haha.

Just put down the deposit to get a new home for the tinnies.... a 30x40 steel building on concrete fully insulated and climate controlled...I'm ecstatic I've never had a climate controlled barn/garage before ..might have to pick up a project boat to work on over winter

flatheadsteve said:

Just put down the deposit to get a new home for the tinnies.... a 30x40 steel building on concrete fully insulated and climate controlled...I'm ecstatic I've never had a climate controlled barn/garage before ..might have to pick up a project boat to work on over winter

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I want one on the acre I own for my 5th wheel and truck but I’m guessing CA pricing for something like that is $200K.

Boosh said:

I want one on the acre I own for my 5th wheel and truck but I’m guessing CA pricing for something like that is $200K.

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I'm not even spending a 1/4 of that In WV. I'm contracting out the concrete work and installing the steel garage on the slab and insulating it. I'll be doing all the electrical and framing up the inside and adding a 24k btu mini split. Might add a loft or 2nd level down the rd. I got it with 14ft walls and attic style walk through trusses just In case. Oh and there's no permits or inspections to deal with where I'm at so that saves a bunch.

Sounds smart. I did a 20x30, and its great (only cost me $6k) but bigger would be better!

I hope it works out great for you. Looking forward to your project updates, ha ha.

Boosh said:

I want one on the acre I own for my 5th wheel and truck but I’m guessing CA pricing for something like that is $200K.

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I had one built that is 24'Wide x36'Deepx12'Tall. About $10K. no concrete and no front door. I use it to store travel trailer and whatever else I want to put under it. Primary reason for purchase....was to keep my toys out of the sun!!

LDUBS said:

How the heck you keep the bottom of the hull so clean?

So far my quick release hinges are working great. I think it was a good move to add them.

I also have an EZLoader trailer. On mine the bow roller sits further forward than yours I think. On retrieval my boat normally rubs on the tongue piece right about where the side frames connect to the tongue. I keep thinking about putting a piece vinyl downspout or something there. Not an issue loading but I guess I should wear out a piece of vinyl instead of my bow stem. One of these days I might should do something about it. haha.

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I added an extra roller to my Ez-Loader trailer for the Crestliner a few years ago. Same problem. Aside from that Ez-Loader trailers are well built and locally manufactured. Getting parts is just a drive into town.

I’ll be in the shop working on the NR Marine today if the heat doesn’t drive me out. Trying to get the new deck finished between other projects and chores.

Still Afloat said:

I’ll be in the shop working on the NR Marine today if the heat doesn’t drive me out. Trying to get the new deck finished between other projects and chores.

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I hear you on the heat....it's been between 98F-105F since Friday!!! Cut the grass this AM between 9am-11am and its already 93F! Cooling off right now as I write this!