12' V bottom Quachita boat

[Biggun113]

I just picked up a 1970 12' Quachita v bottom boat and found this site while browsing around the internet for more information on it. The data plate is missing on my boat so if anyone can help me ind out the capacities and ratings I'd appreciate it so I can have a new tag made. I have a 1955 Evinrude Fastwin 15hp outboard for it. I've been running all kinds of ideas through my head from closing the bow and making a speed boat to a full on bass boat but am unsure on how to build this boat up best but with it being my first boat am not sure what my limitations are

 

[rickybobbybend]

First off, congrats on the new rig and welcome aboard. Lots of great ideas and helpful folks here to help you turn your vision into reality. IMO, the first thing you should do is secure title and registration for the boat and motor. Someone on here can likely help you with hull specifications. Or you could get to Googling. Peruse this site for for ideas and suggestions, take a turn or two at YouTube then let the fun begin. A 12 footer isn't the biggest on the lake, so be mindful of maintaining stability and careful as to how much weight you add, even though you have plenty of motor. And keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Biggun113]

I am currently working on my transom having decided to use solid white oak due to my woodshop and availability of prime lumber my question is what width should I be looking to install inside the boat and the motor plate outside the setup on the boat when I bought it was a triangularish outside motor plate with a full width board at the top inside that had runners tying it into another tapering board all plywood, would a direct copy of what I had work or should I go full width inside top to bottom?

 

[Biggun113]

Here is a picture right after picking it up covered in white latex paint I've stripped the outer hull to bare aluminum and will polish it also stripped the interior and applied rustoleum roll on bedliner as an interim coating until I come up with a full out plan
https://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad63/kissfan113/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2002d2ef.jpg

 

[Biggun113]

Here is a picture after stripping it down and bed lining the inside with rustoleum still need to polish it now and replace the transom wood I'm using my wood shop to rebuild the transom in solid white oak planning a full width top and 26" wide x 11" lower supports below the full board in and out of the boat to improve the load distribution on the thin aluminum transom, the boat looks like it may have been oars only from the factory based off the transom design but I'm thinking with proper wood reinforcement it should be fine with the 15 hp motor I have

https://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad63/kissfan113/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc3694e4a.jpg