1965 Aluminum Boat Project - 13'8"

[NWA Angler]

Hey guys! This is my first post, after lurking for awhile. I've been looking at a lot of the mods here, and I'm very excited to start my own! I do have a couple of questions though:

I'd like to install flooring in the center portion of the boat, as well as some sort of shorter deck in the front, and small deck/storage in the back. I'm mostly concerned about the front deck - based on seeing this boat, is this going to cause it to be "tippy"? I plan on making the deck run basically the same height as the front bench, up to the bow of the boat.

The beam is 54", with the bottom (inside) of the boat coming in about 36".

Any other comments are quite welcome! Thanks!!

- Mike

 

[jasper60103]

Welcome aboard, NWA Angler !

Looks like a nice solid boat. I'm a semi V man too.
Is this boat new, or you had it for a while?
As for tippiness, I would drop her in the water and stand on the bench or front deck.
I have a low flat floor in mine and can stand all day long.
Whatever you do, don't change the name!

Keep the pics coming. Thanks for sharing.

-jasper

 

[NWA Angler]

Welcome aboard, NWA Angler !

Looks like a nice solid boat. I'm a semi V man too.
Is this boat new, or you had it for a while?
As for tippiness, I would drop her in the water and stand on the bench or front deck.
I have a low flat floor in mine and can stand all day long.
Whatever you do, don't change the name!

Keep the pics coming. Thanks for sharing.

-jasper

Thanks for the comments, Jasper! It's a pretty solid boat, not too shabby for my first purchase of a boat in my life - and I'm 32 years old.

It's supposedly a 1965 year model, and was listed as a "Monarch" (Monark?). I just purchased it two weeks ago. Came with the boat, trailer, trolling motor, and the cheap fish finder shown in the photos - all for $450.

If I do decide to put some sort of front decking, I'll be exclusively sitting in a seat. I've seen mods all day long with very similar boats, and they say it's doable. I'll take your advice and drop her in the water to test it out, though.

I'm also glad you like the name! It was on the boat when I bought it, so was thinking I might need to change it to be more personal?

- Mike

 

[perchjerker]

no don't change it!

its bad luck to change a boat's name!

good luck with your build!

 

[NWA Angler]

no don't change it!

its bad luck to change a boat's name!

good luck with your build!

I'll remember that! Thanks, perchjerker! - love your username! lol

I actually stumbled across this thread while googling decking and floor options for the boat - a lot of good information here.

https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9074

 

[Fishfreek]

Welcome and awesome boat!!

 

[NWA Angler]

Hey folks,

I had another idea - looking for ways to add stability with the height of deck I'd like to install. It's a crude picture, but hopefully you get the idea... would this work? Or would this add to the buoyancy and cause even more "tippy" and instability?

The foam fill would be on the sides of the boat underneath the decking - leaving the center area clear for storage.

Hope to get started on this project this weekend!

- Mike

 

[Fishfreek]

Adding foam inside the boat doesn't change the buoyancy until you fill the boat with water. It's there to help keep the boat from sinking if you would ever swamp it.

 

[NWA Angler]

Adding foam inside the boat doesn't change the buoyancy until you fill the boat with water. It's there to help keep the boat from sinking if you would ever swamp it.

Thanks fishfreak...I think I just need to stop being lazy and just take it out to the water and see how she rides. It'll be another week probably but will keep all posted with other progress.

Next up is the sealing/healing process for the hull inside/out - then paint.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

I agree it doesnt add buoyancy. Why I added foam is to maybe help help keep mine afloat long enough to get to shore/shallow water or help equal out the weight vs buoyancy of the foam I did add. Either way some foam is better than none. I would not use pour in or spray foam either. That stuff becomes like a sponge.

 

[NWA Angler]

I think my thought process was would the foam or even some styrofoam on the insides of the gunnel under the deck add "resistance" against the water if I tipped to either side. Make sense?

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Nope. The weight and displacement of the hull I think adds any "float resistance". Foam only adds floatation once sinking. I think of it like this: Jump in a pool and see how you float. Then jump in with a pool noodle between your legs and you will float a little better. Might not be good analogy. but put a small boat in a pool with no foam and sink it. Load it with foam and it might not sink all the way. Its more of a disaster preventive thing.

Im no engineer, thats just my thoughts.