16' Alumacraft V Boat Rebuild

[Ashtel]

Well the front deck is stripped off - found a couple nests under the decking.

I am going to start a running thread on here because I am not the most savy when it comes to these type of projects. I would love any recommendations and/or help that anyone could.

The goal is to strip all the current carpeting and lay vinyl throughout. There are also a couple custom ideas that I have been kicking around for tackle storage and flush mounting my hummingbird.

When I get home I will upload more pictures of the process - this was the only picture that I took on my phone.

First question: I pull all the foam and flooring, best way to check for leaks is to turn the lights off and shine a light through? What should I be using to patch up any leaks? Currently I need to turn my bilge pump on every hour or so and it spits out a decent amount of water.

I will update more when I get home - thanks for any help.

 

[RivRunR]

After you pull the foam and flooring, the best way to start checking for leaks is to just put some water inside the boat and look at the hull underneath. Patching will depend on what you find.

 

[Ashtel]

Well - a little update.

The foam seems to be the hardest part at this stage. Side compartments stripped off. Foam pulled from both side compartments and the front. Next is the main part of the boat.

However, it looks like this boat was built pretty stable - so I will be keeping all the floor braces.

 

[shawnfish]

i second putting water in it to check for leaks. has the foam absorbed any water? if not there is probally not any leaks. if the foam isnt water logged i would leave it in and just make sure there is a channel for water to drain towards the stern. i also second leaving the floor braces in and putting some sort of side support back where the side boxes were although its not going it but some will have a different opinion. sweet boat, cant wait to see more....

 

[Ashtel]

Foam towards the back and on the sides was water logged.

To be specific it was water logged behind were the live well was, I haven't yet pulled the last piece of floor panel, but I would guess all that foam is water logged.

When I had the boat out this summer I had to run the bilge more than I would like so I know there is a couple leaks.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

I would love recommendations etc.

Below is the diagram I am starting for the new boat layout (yes I have major artist skills LOL)

Squares with the circles are seat mounts. I am bringing the front deck back about 2 feet or so to add 2 storage compartments. I am also looking at making the front panel fold up for battery storage.

Thoughts?

 

[Ashtel]

Foam foam foam.

Seems any tool that is flat and has a lot of backbone does the trick on the foam.

Crow bar has been a great tool.. lol

Should be done with all the foam and floor by Sunday night.

 

[Ashtel]

Foam is gone!

Found 6 pinholes so far in the bottom of the boat. Thinking JB weld should patch these up - suggestions?

Tonight or tomorrow is power washing, then starts the leak test and patching.

I am also looking at repainting the inside - I have been told roll on bedliner? Anyone else have any products they used? I want to keep it similar to the light blue color already inside.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Ashtel]

Front toilet piping installed. LOL jk

We are running pvc for the wiring, we have fire proof tubing inside the pvc to protect against any electrical fires. All wiring will be done through the hose inside the pvc. The pvc is just to protect a little more from water etc.

All holes were patched last night - with a total of 7 holes. I forgot pictures of that.

More updates to come.

Got some light grey bed liner which will go on the inside of the boat for cosmetics and more sealant.

 

[Ashtel]

Ok - so quick update:

Electrical piping installed.

All holes patched, 7 in total. I used an aluminum repair kit from cabelas, had great reviews and talked to a few people that swear by it:

https://www.cabelas.com/boat-care-appearance-cabelas-aluminum-boat-patch-1.shtml

Sanding started for the roll on bed liner.

Foam seems to be the most expensive - anyone have any suggestions? The strip down the right hand side was one can.... Looks to be about 30 cans I would need.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[russ010]

If you've already taken the foam out, I wouldn't even put any back in. If you feel that you need it, then just use the pool noodles that kids float on in the swimming pool.

Or you can use the foam that you took out, put it back in some large plastic trash bags, and stuff it under the transom.


You're going to get all kinds of responses on foam from this site - and to each their own. Your boat is wide enough that hopefully you're never in a position to flip it over, but foam is a little extra security if you do. I've rebuilt 4-5 boats and I take out any foam I can get to. I fish in some rough water too that has seen 3-4' waves, and I never had a problem as long as I didn't try to think I was bigger than the water. Put a good BIG bilge pump in there (I like the 1000gph +) to take care of any water that you may take on and pump it out. Also use a 1-1/8" plug and hose and you won't have a problem in a boat that size.

 

[bigwave]

If you've already taken the foam out, I wouldn't even put any back in. If you feel that you need it, then just use the pool noodles that kids float on in the swimming pool.



You're going to get all kinds of responses on foam from this site - and to each their own.

You sir are walking a fine line.......... [-X just kidding ya...... :lol:

 

[RivRunR]

From the pics that looks like "Great Stuff", which is NOT closed cell foam and should never be used since it will absorb water.

 

[Ashtel]

From the pics that looks like "Great Stuff", which is NOT closed cell foam and should never be used since it will absorb water.

Yeah I learned that one after the test can! Thanks for pointing out though.

I was thinking a couple sheets of closed cell foam and cut to shape?

 

[RivRunR]

Yep, or the pool noodle suggestion was a good one. Looks like you could just lay those in between the stringers without much effort. I've seen them at the Dollar Store for under $1 this time of year, FWIW.

 

[jetmech]

Great looking project you have there. I have a thread going in the Boat House section called "lightweight decking" I have 7 foot by 19.5 inch wide sheets of aircraft floor boards that are made up of 2 thin layers of fiberglass with a honeycomb material in the middle. 1 sheet weighs only 8 lbs. would you be interested in being the test subject to try out for you decking. I would give you 2 sheets to try out, you would just have to pay for shipping. I have access to around 50 sheets of this. Let me know if you would be willing to test these out . I dont own a boat but want to purchase one next year or i would be testing this. I think this would be an awesome alternative to plywood as it is very heavy. Thanks

 

[Ashtel]

Quick update.

Haven't had a ton of time in the boat - but we are getting some serious sanding done.

Picture attached.

 

[Gators5220]

That thing is lookin clean, nice deep jon there too, what r u gonna do with it? Fish in big water or offshore?

 

[Ashtel]

Sanding is coming along.

Primer came in and have bed liner ready to go.

Should finish sanding tonight and start priming mid week.

Also have some sample vinyl coming this week to make a final color selection for the interior.

 

[Ashtel]

Another quick update.

All sanding has been completed. Primer has been applied to the back tray (picture attached).

Tonight the whole boat should be completed with primer.

 

[RivRunR]

Lookin good !