16' Lund modifications

[MAN - GA]

I am getting to the point where I need some creative input on mods to this boat. Lund says it is a 16' Deluxe model (year 1986), but I haven't found much out there exactly like it. What do you guys recommend as for modifications? I see alot of folks building casting decks which I don't really need and making alot of storage areas - I would like to get the batteries toward the front so I have more room for a trolling rack in the back, but haven't figured out a good way to do this without making a trip hazard other than building a deck to conceal them. I primarily use the boat for striper fishing and want to set up a homemade bait tank as well.

Just looking to brainstorm and see what others have to comment about before I say "I wish I would have thought of that"

THANKS

 

[TheMaestro]

Gee, I dunno, the boat looks pretty awesome as is!

 

[nsnutter]

I think you just need a few more driftmasters and pictures of some nice flathead/blues I would run the hell out of that thing on the river!

 

[wihil]

Tough to see where you could move the batteries to in the boat from the pics you posted - there's no interior shots.

If it were me, I'd likely leave the where they are and add a few more rod holders down the side of the rails, but I troll with inline planers and not downriggers.

Otherwise I'd get some 1" stainless steel fittings and some 1" bar and run an elevated bar across the back, pick up some bar mount clamps for the driftmasters, and put them on that way leaving the batteries where they are. Might make getting to the trolling motor a pain though.

 

[MAN - GA]

I should have been more specific on my modification direction. I run 2ea 27 series deep cycles and a 24 series cranking + 6gal. gas tank in the rear - it is heavy at the rear and the drivers seat is a livewell so I have always tried to put the batteries on opposite side to equalize lievewell water/drive on one side and gear on the other. I am trying to figure out a way to get the batteries toward the front so I can put a trolling rack across the rear just forward of the splash tray on transom, but no matter how I layout the battery boxes it is not functional. Maybe I just need to live with it and leave them as-is. Does anyone have specifics on how they have factored battery locations into their modified boats. I do plan on replacing the topside wood that originally had varnish or poly on it - what is the recommended waterproofing application. I have read some on the forum and see many members referencing "spar" and I am assuming you mean this https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains/minwax-helmsman-spar-urethane

Thanks in advance on any input

 

[DaveInGA]

Howdy,

Quoted you and put some suggestions/thoughts in red for you.

I should have been more specific on my modification direction. I run 2ea 27 series deep cycles and a 24 series cranking + 6gal. gas tank in the rear - it is heavy at the rear and the drivers seat is a livewell so I have always tried to put the batteries on opposite side to equalize lievewell water/drive on one side and gear on the other. I am trying to figure out a way to get the batteries toward the front so I can put a trolling rack across the rear just forward of the splash tray on transom, but no matter how I layout the battery boxes it is not functional.

Looking at the pictures of your boat, I notice your current decking is very low and that you do not have a trolling motor mounted at the bow. Mounting the trolling motor on the transom and having the batteries in the back exacerbate the rear weight problem I'm guessing.

My suggestion is for you to build a front deck built on and mounted over the top of your current front deck area just tall enough to give you room to store your trolling motor batteries up front, give you a place to store a little gear and run your trolling motor wiring.

Next, I would also buy a bow mount trolling motor and add a color matching aluminum mount (Have the mount fabricated to fit your current bow area. I see it's curved.) to mount the new trolling motor. I would keep the transom mount trolling motor for "electric only" lakes, but take it off the boat when not at an "electric only" lake.

Maybe I just need to live with it and leave them as-is. Does anyone have specifics on how they have factored battery locations into their modified boats. I do plan on replacing the topside wood that originally had varnish or poly on it - what is the recommended waterproofing application. I have read some on the forum and see many members referencing "spar" and I am assuming you mean this https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains/minwax-helmsman-spar-urethane

I suggest keeping the original wood if it's not rotted, sand off the current coatings, apply West Marine fiberglass epoxy (non UV resistant), then use the Minwax spar urethane (UV resistant) to protect the epoxy.

Thanks in advance on any input

you're welcome, hope that helps and gets you going