1988 14/48 waco flatbottom

[bigdaddymurph]

i bought this 88 waco 14/48 flat bottom with a 25 hp johnson and fixin to start my build so i done started tearing it down but didnt take some befor pictures but it had a center bench in it so i took it out and somebody built a exended front deck for the front bass seat and for storage and i rip it out to , so im going to put some pictures of it now and post as i go. i am new to this so we see how it goes im going to take my time and check everbodys else builds and learn and take advise to.

 

[natestep]

Thats a good lookin tin bud. Have fun, ask questions, and if your anything like me, start looking for another one. I started getting close to the end of my build and had to buy another boat.

 

[bigdaddymurph]

THANKS NATESTEP I BOUGHT IT AT THE END OF THIS PAST SUMMER AND I PUT IT ON THE WATER ONE TIME BEFOR WINTER TO WINTERISE IT AND TO SEE HOW IT FELT OUT BY MYSELF,THATS WHY I TOOK OUT THE CENTER BENCH ,I HAD TO STEP OVER IT TO GET TO THE FRONT DECK AND WHEN I DID THE FRONT DECK WAS CLOSE AND THE GUY HAD IT HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL ONE BY A INCH OR TWO,MY PLANS ARE TO BUILD THE FRONT ORIGINAL UP EVEN TO THE FRONT RAIL HERS A PICTURE OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THINKING OF MOVING THE FRONT BACK A RIDGE TO.

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Great lookin' platform man, can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[bigdaddymurph]

I STILL HAVENT CLEANED IT YET,I GOT 22 HOLES TO FILL AFTER I TOOK OUT THE CENTER BENCH I WANT TO PUT BACK FACTORY RIBITS SO IT WILL LOOK FACTORY ON THE OUTSIDE DOES ANYBODY THINK THAT LOCAL MARINA SHOPS WOULD HAVE THEM,I HAVE ABOUT 4 OF THEM HERE IN FLORENCE,AL ,ONE IS A BASS TRACKER, AFTER I DO GET THEM FILLED IM GOING TO FILL IT WITH WATER AND CHECK FOR ANY MORE LEAKS BEFOR I CLEAN AND PRIME INSIDE OF IT OR MAYBE HAVE THE INSIDE SPRAYED LINED THAT WILL COST ABOUT 350,WHAT YAW THINK MY EARS ARE OPEN.

 

[BaitCaster]

nice boat

 

[bigdaddymurph]

THANKS BAITCASTER I HAVE ALOT OF WORK TO DO BEFOR SUMMER .

 

[jasper60103]

"...I FISH FOR BIG CATS AND THEY WANT FIT IN THIS LIVE WELL"

bigdaddy,
I like the way you think.
Looking forward to the fishing report!

Btw, that's a nice project too.

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Spray the inside for $350? Remember that those pro sprayed in liners are expensive and some are pretty heavy. I bought a can of Durabak, a non skid roll on coating for under $100 and did it myself. The inside never gets hot to the touch like the metal did, it is textured and is absolutely non skid. There are others out there too.

Bufford

 

[bigdaddymurph]

WELL IM AT A STAND STILL RIGHT NOW HOPING TO GET STARTED IN ABOUT A MONTH ,STARTING WITH THE HOLES FROM THE CENTER BENCH , I JUST PICK UP SOME 2 X 8 s METAL STUDS FOR THE FLOOR BRACES.GOOD IDEAL OR BAD WE WILL SEE.

 

[bigdaddymurph]

IM FIXIN TO START BACK ON MY BOAT , AND NEED SOME HELP ON THE 22 HOLES FROM WHEN I TOOK OUT THE CENTER BENCH , IM THINKING OF USEING SOME SMALL BOLTS WITH WASHERS WITH RUBBER ON THEM AND LOCK WASHERS AND LOCK NUTS. THERE ARE ONLY 4 HOLES ON EACH SIDE THAT ARE BELOW WATER LEVEL, LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS GOOD OR BAD AND IF GOOD WHAT KIND OF BOLTS TO USE LIKE GRADE OR WHAT,THANKS

 

[flatboat]

if ya got a welding shop close by take it to them they will fill up with aluminum .i like the idea of it not leakin again if you put a floor in it .
just my oppinion
ed

 

[bigdaddymurph]

IT NEVER HAD A LEAK,JUST TOOK THE CENTER BENCH OUT TO HAVE MORE ROOM IM GOING TO PUT STICK STEERING IN IT IM GOING TO PUT 2X6 METAL STUDS IN THE FLOOR AND BUILD A LOWER DECK IN THE FRONT AND RAISE THE FRONT DECK THATS IN IT NOW. I HEARD THAT IF YOU WELD THE HOLES YOU HAVE TO GET THE ALUM. REAL HOT AND I DONT WANT TO MESS THE FACTORY PAINT UP ON IT BECAUSE IT STILL IN GOOD SHAPE,DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE OR NOT, THANKS

 

[bigdaddymurph]

I JUST REDONE MY FRONT HANDLES AND EYE HOOK ,THE RIVITS ON THEM WAS LOOSE SO I DRILLED THEM OUT CLEANED THEM AND PAINTED THEM BLACK, AND REMOUNTED THEM WITH NEW BOLTS,WILL POST PICTURES LATER.