This will be my first time building a larger duck boat and I have a lot of rookie questions. It's a 89 Polar Kraft modified V. It was a bass boat with old water logged foam, rotten wood floorboards, and a lot of weight. I stripped out everything so I can build her up from scratch. I had to drill out quite a view rivets so it will need some plugs welded on. The wood inside the transom isn't in the best shape and I will likely need to replace it. The goal for this boat is to safely and comfortably hunt two men, gear and a dog. I would like to try to set up the boat to be able to run up a shallow river with a sandy/rocky bottom. After reading I've decided on a mud motor. I will also install beavertail float pods so I can hopefully offset the weight of the motor, gas tank and battery and run over the sand bars a little easier. I plan to hire a good welder to do all of the metal work. I have a lot of questions so ill group them according to category. Here's a picture.
Hull
-What size waves can a boat this size navigate?
-How much marine foam will be needed to make this boat unsinkable if it gets swamped, or how do I calculate that?
-Any advise pertaining to the installation of the float pods?
-What is the best way to remove and replace the rotten wood in the transom?
-I want to install one gun box along one side of the hull, and two seats in the back along the transom. I have heard of using a truck tool box for the gun box. Does any body have a recommendation on a good one they have used?
-Any advise on fabricating a small lightweight hatch/deck in the front of the boat to mount the gas tank and battery? I don't want to use wood in this boat except for the transom replacement.
Floor
-I want the floor to be flat, is there a way to do that with the foam and rubber mat method? Keep in mind it's a shallow mod v. I had planned on cutting out a sheet of pink closed cell foam to fit the floor footprint and fill under with expanding closed cell pourable marine grade foam. Then put a rubber anti slip mat on top. Thoughts?
-If I decide to install a aluminum floor: What thickness? Foam under? How to support center as it's a mod v and the floor needs to be flat? Is hydro turf the only option to cover metal floor? In the event of a rivet failing on bottom of hull, can it be repaired from the under side of the boat or will the floor need to be removed?
Fuel tank and battery storage
-With the use of float pods, is it necessary to try and have the tank and battery mounted in the front of the boat?
-If fuel tank must be mounted up front, what is the best way to run the fuel line w/o having to rip up the floor in the future if the line needs to be serviced or replaced?
-What gauge wiring should be used?
-How do I determine whether I need one battery or two?
Lighting
-Will one rigid industries marine D2 bow light be sufficient?
-Where are deck lights typically mounted?
-How do I conceal the wiring while making it accessible for repairs in the future?
-Recommendations on good deck lighting kits?
-Where to get switch panel?
-What gague wire to use for bow light? And deck lights?
-best way to make water proof electrical connections?
-Do I use the same gauge wire for all connections up to the battery?
-What to do about ground wire? What gets grounded and where?
Motor
-If I decide to put a surface drive on this boat in the future, how badly will the float pods affect turning?
-Would a 35hp long tail be overkill on a boat this size?
-I need to push this rig up river against swift current in shallow sandy bottom situation, what size and style of motor do you personally recommend?
Paint
-How many gallons to put two coats on her?
-Better to buy expensive "duck boat paint" for the base coat, or have some marsh green mixed up at local hardware store?
-Cammo stencil hydro turf?
Thanks! Any opinions, thoughts criticism, harassment, jokes, etc..... Greatly appreciated
Hull
-What size waves can a boat this size navigate?
-How much marine foam will be needed to make this boat unsinkable if it gets swamped, or how do I calculate that?
-Any advise pertaining to the installation of the float pods?
-What is the best way to remove and replace the rotten wood in the transom?
-I want to install one gun box along one side of the hull, and two seats in the back along the transom. I have heard of using a truck tool box for the gun box. Does any body have a recommendation on a good one they have used?
-Any advise on fabricating a small lightweight hatch/deck in the front of the boat to mount the gas tank and battery? I don't want to use wood in this boat except for the transom replacement.
Floor
-I want the floor to be flat, is there a way to do that with the foam and rubber mat method? Keep in mind it's a shallow mod v. I had planned on cutting out a sheet of pink closed cell foam to fit the floor footprint and fill under with expanding closed cell pourable marine grade foam. Then put a rubber anti slip mat on top. Thoughts?
-If I decide to install a aluminum floor: What thickness? Foam under? How to support center as it's a mod v and the floor needs to be flat? Is hydro turf the only option to cover metal floor? In the event of a rivet failing on bottom of hull, can it be repaired from the under side of the boat or will the floor need to be removed?
Fuel tank and battery storage
-With the use of float pods, is it necessary to try and have the tank and battery mounted in the front of the boat?
-If fuel tank must be mounted up front, what is the best way to run the fuel line w/o having to rip up the floor in the future if the line needs to be serviced or replaced?
-What gauge wiring should be used?
-How do I determine whether I need one battery or two?
Lighting
-Will one rigid industries marine D2 bow light be sufficient?
-Where are deck lights typically mounted?
-How do I conceal the wiring while making it accessible for repairs in the future?
-Recommendations on good deck lighting kits?
-Where to get switch panel?
-What gague wire to use for bow light? And deck lights?
-best way to make water proof electrical connections?
-Do I use the same gauge wire for all connections up to the battery?
-What to do about ground wire? What gets grounded and where?
Motor
-If I decide to put a surface drive on this boat in the future, how badly will the float pods affect turning?
-Would a 35hp long tail be overkill on a boat this size?
-I need to push this rig up river against swift current in shallow sandy bottom situation, what size and style of motor do you personally recommend?
Paint
-How many gallons to put two coats on her?
-Better to buy expensive "duck boat paint" for the base coat, or have some marsh green mixed up at local hardware store?
-Cammo stencil hydro turf?
Thanks! Any opinions, thoughts criticism, harassment, jokes, etc..... Greatly appreciated