1989 bass tracker pro 17 rebuild - livewell question

[WVfishnfool]

Hey Josh I'm going to look at the Ranger on Wednesday. We've already agreed on the price and if the boat passes my inspection it's mine. Won't be bringing it home until the 28th though because I have to wait until they send my money to me from my old 401k plan and plus the wife wants to go with me to pick it up. Right now the plan is to finish my Tracker build and then put it up for sale. After it is sold then I'll fix the 14' boat I have to fish small waters with. I haven't got to the console install yet but if you would like to see pics of it I can take a few and e-mail them to ya. The top part of my console was beyond repair. My bro-in-law had fell on it and it was broken up pretty bad. So I took the plastic part off and thru it away. I found this place where I bought my console on the internet and liked the looks of the one I showed you in the link. In order to make it work I am going to have to cut it down slightly so it will butt up against the wall of the boat. In order to fasten it I cut a piece of the aluminum from the original console and will use that to determine how much to cut away and will then bolt it to the new console and then fasten it to the inside wall of the boat. After all that is accomplished I'll cut for the steering and tach/gauges. I'm no where near doing this but I can take a couple of pics to give ya an idea if you want.

 

[jalockwood]

yea I would kinda like to maybe see some different angles vs the what the link provides man I thought I could make me a decent one from fiberglass but its gonna be a pain in the neck for sure. it may be better just to start with something like you have in my situation as well because it may not even be worth the effort going through what I had planned on. I have the same situation with my old console its cracked up pretty bad on the top face from years of sun exposure I assume and I just really didn't want that to be the center piece of all the new carpet just didn't seem right lol anywho man idk if you can pm those pics or what not but if you need my email ill be glad to send it!

 

[WVfishnfool]

Hey Josh sorry I didn't get back to ya until today. I was wore out after drivin down to SC and looking at that boat. I drove 950 miles in 2 days. I didn't get back until late Thursday and then a buddy of mine called and wanted me to go pre-fish with him Friday for a tourney he had Saturday. I spent the early part of this morning helping with a church ministry where we feed less fortunate school kids during the summer by boxing up foods and then they mail it to them during the summer. Then got together with the kids for Father's Day. I'm now getting ready to go to bed shortly because I have to get up at 5 in the morning to pick up my father and mother-in-law and take them to Charlotte NC. My father-in-law has to see a doctor(specialist) on Monday morning and then has to remain there until Wednesday morning when I'll be coming back home. I'll get you a bunch of pics on Thursday morning and if you'll PM me your e-mail address I'll send them to ya. I'll be in touch on Thursday buddy have a good one.

 

[jalockwood]

hey Kenny I hope all is well with the doctors visit and happy fathers day to you as well! that's great that you help the children out man I always like doing things to help people as well glad to hear others doing the same ive made a mad dash to get the majority of my interior together this weekend and all im lacking is new seats and figuring out my console I will post pics so you can see when you get back to the net. I did want to ask if I can have faith that the dap weldwood contact cement and the henry 663 will be fairly good bonding when in contact with water? I read the label and I believe they say water "resistant" after 5 days. im slightly concerned because ive been using a tarp thus far to cover it, not I deal I know but it was cheap and I havnt been able to find a really decent cover for a good price, found some at wal mart that would be great but theyre sold out gotta order now and hope the rain doesn't destroy my work haha. anyways have a safe trip out there and I hope the best on that doctors visit with your family, have a good one man.

 

[WVfishnfool]

Josh I sent the pics of my console to the e-mail address you PM'd me. It took a while to get it done because of this site crashing and I forgot to write down your e-mail addy. If you have any questions just give me a call I included my numbers in the e-mail. And by the way the boat is really looking good. Excellent job on the carpet install.

 

[jalockwood]

thank you for the compliment Kenny I appreciate it! it sure hasn't come easy I know that much haha. Would like to ask your advice on fastening down that front casting deck and how to fasten my seat bases/ console base to the main deck. What I mean by that is I don't want the casting deck shifting on me so a few screw like fasteners would be a good idea but how would I go about water proofing them so water doesn't wick down into the wood? The main floor where the console fastens to went in so tight due to the carpet friction its not going to need any fasteners itself just where the console and seat bases go down. Id like to hear your ideas on this man ive worked too hard to not button this thing up the way it should be done! got your pics man thank you its a nice console and I got a better idea how that thing looks now I really appreciate it, when I decide which option is going to be best for me ill let ya know and more than likely have another hand full of questions at some point. have a good one thanks again!

 

[WVfishnfool]

Best way to seal the screws going into the deck is: Predrill your hole slightly smaller than the screw. Take the screw and dip it about 1/2 way into some 3M 5200 or 3M 4200 just like you'd use on the transom or anywhere else you want to seal out water. Put the screw in the pre-drilled hole and tighten down. If your putting the screw thru the carpet on the front deck just try not to have to much of the 5200 where you have a whole lot of excess squishing out. Other wise when you try to clean off the excess your going to wind up smearing that crap all over your new carpet. Good luck with it. Oh and by the way my deal went thru on the Ranger I looked at and I'll be picking it up in about 2 weeks. So that means my 14 foot john boat will be going up for sale.

 

[jalockwood]

Good deal on the boat sounds like a winner! maybe post a pic or two when you get a chance id like to see it and I believe it should be worth getting rid of the jon boat haha. thanks for the info on those screws I think I may better use some 4200 just in case I ever want to take something apart that way it wont be quite as permanently bonded.

 

[WVfishnfool]

Hey Josh I was at Lowe's today and noticed they have stainless finish washers there. You could use these under the screws going thru the carpet on your front deck and give it a more finished look plus it would help with sealing out water using it and the 3M 4200 as well. Take a look at them and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[jalockwood]

that's a good idea I used some stainless washers when I fastened down my bow support and also my rear deck brace where the seat pedestal bolts through under the aluminum. hadn't considered using them up front visibly but that sounds like a plan. im kinda tinkering around with the idea of making me some panels out of hardboard then wrapped in fiberglass to fasten to my existing console just to "cover" the cracked sections. idk if you can imagine what I mean through a message on here but I could basically rivet these panels into the console from the outside and it would look a bit different but I think I can paint them and once riveted down it would just look like some extra garnish I havnt decided just yet. I still don't have the cash to bite the bullet on a new console so im trying to mcgiver something that will work and not be too trashy lol

 

[WVfishnfool]

The stainless finish washers work with a oval type screw instead of a pan head. Once you look at them you'll know what I mean if I have the terms wrong for the type of screws. And hey if patching the panel works I wouldn't worry about what others think. Could you possibly put the panels on the inside with some epoxy resin as well as riveting them. Then after that sets up, fill in the cracks on the outside with resin and then sand it down some and spray it with the plasti-dip. After that's all done get you some fishin decals and place them on there and tell everybody you had to advertise for your sponsors. They'll never know the difference.

 

[jalockwood]

hahaha i like your thinking Kenny i don't care so much what others think as much as the fact i appreciate all the hard work ive put in it and im just not wanting a big eye sore to be the center of fresh new interior. as far as putting those panels inside im not entirely sure purely because of the extent of the cracks on the outter shell but like i said im taking it as it comes and that might not be impossible, just gotta cross that bridge as it comes. ill keep you posted and all im currently fiberglassing me a plate for my troller connector because the old one is toast and i didn't think sheet aluminum was the best route when i can make a decent plate with some hardboard and fiberglass then painting over that. any who ill talk to you later on ive got some fiberglass resin to attend to! have a good one man

 

[jalockwood]

made some progress this weekend and looking at carpeting one seat base and finishing my console and ill be ready for some water!!! ill share these pics and see what ya think I do still have to fasten the seats and console base down but these pics will at least show how my bilge and livewell lids came out I really like the look, I gave extra attention to be sure my carpet grain flowed just right

 

[mikeybv]

Greetings to the both of you and everyone else here on the forums. I just recently bought a 1990 Bass Tracker Pro 17 w/ Johnson 40 HP, in really good cosmetic shape, and have been looking all over the internet for support and answers to the many questions I have on my beginners boat. I think I have found the place. I have read 90 percent of your conversations and am very intrigued. If you dont mind I have a few questions of my own. I want to replace the bottom of my flooring as it has rotted under the steering column and in front of the steering column where there is a small space wasted space. Do I need to remove the steering console and the side panels to access the floor, or can I easily rip out the flooring by itself? I am NOT a handy man, however I look forward to the challenge in bringing this boat back to its better days!

I want to also replace the livewell pump and the bilge pump, would I need to drill new wholes or will the old holds be reusable? Do I just need to replace the pump themselves? I have read your postings earlier on the functionality of the livewell and it just seems like the tech/design on it was very poor? Please elaborate????

Other aspects of the boat seem to be in great condition, the only real concern was the flooring, and maybe a few motor questions. If you are willing to help, I am here to listen so I can get on the water and enjoy this sport that we all love...

Thanks!

 

[jalockwood]

nice to see another one of these in some good hands! and to answer your flooring question, the side panels wouldn't necessarily need to come out unless youre wanting to re carpet the rear deck and the front face of the front casting deck (the panel that drops down from the casting deck to the main deck) the livewell was probably a lesser design however ive not quite got my boat on the water just yet so im not the one to ask on how well it actually works. The old livewell/ bilge holes in the transom worked just fine for me with some replacement attwood pumps I can give you the exact name of the two later if you wish. Ill be glad to answer as many questions as I can for you because I understand the challenge and how much work its been, its truly unbelievable but it should all be worth it in the end. The biggest challenge with taking that main floor out without removing the side panels will probably be getting the old board out, possibly with a pry bar unless its rotten to the point where the wood will just crumble for you and come on out. Also want to check your floatation foam it really will add on the weight if its sopped up water and is just holding it. I hope this helps feel free to stay in touch!

 

[jalockwood]

meant to add that yes the console will need to be removed, base and all as well as the seats and the bases they fasten to the floor with.

 

[mikeybv]

I am thinking that it is going to be a bit of a challenge as I have never refurbished any carpet or overtaking of a project like this. It is starting to rot noticeably in the front of the console and the foot rest on the steering column. I am thinking that it is also rotting elsewhere as well. This may feel like a dumb question but are the boards, side panels, and seats riveted onto the frame, or are they normal screws. I took a brief look at it today and saw a few rivets by the seats...I feel like this is going to take lots of time, money, and extra tools to get the job done, slowly but surely.

Another question is the removal of water from this particular livewell? Does it just overflow to the bilge pump or does it get removed elsewhere. I see the intake hose in the back for the livewell pump, but was not quite sure how water is removed. I see that water comes in from the bottom right aluminum hose in the livewell, but how to make it function correctly, I have no idea. I do think I need to replace the both pumps, if you could help me with that, Id gladly appreciate it.

As I look deeper into the boat the more things I find that may need some work. As they come along, I'll sure be turning to you for some advice. You are very helpful and appreciate your kindness....thanks!

*seems like the owner before me took the boat out sparingly, mostly sat on his driveway. Recently bought two new batteries, redo the wiring harness for the trailer, changed spark plugs, and that is about all. Any suggestions you have for me will be gladly appreciated.*

Needs on the boat:

Carpeting but it will have to wait besides the rotted flooring.
livewill pump
bilge pump
hubs on the wheel (bearings)
and any recommended jobs to the engine...

Lets try and hopefully knock out this list (it might be getting longer...)

 

[jalockwood]

The main floor and your front casting deck are almost the only pieces of wood in the boat associated with structural support if it is the same model as my boat. mine were fastened down with self tapping screws into the ribs of the boat, they came right out with a lil effort and a regular Phillips head screwdriver. all other panels are aluminum and secured with some type of rivet. The livewell pump and bilge pump themselves are not going to be a major project, however if you intend to replace the hose that runs off of your bilge pump to the thru hull fitting in the top left corner of your transom (if looking at your transom from the back of the boat) you will find that this wont be easy without removing some of the rear deck. Now the livewell will fill to the water line of your boat as it sits in the water once it is put in off the trailer, the water will enter through that spout in the bottom of the livewell tank via a tube that is connected to another thru hull fitting in the bottom of the transom, if looking from the back it will be the bottom left thru hull. If you take a look at page one of the post you will see how the tube coming off the spout in the livewell sits on the hook near the top of the livewell, this will prevent water from exiting the well when the boat is under engine power. The livewell pump should serve to put new water into the well and any excess flow over into the tube that is being held by the hook inside the livewell. The water should not overflow into the bilge area to be removed by the bilge pump. Personally I would focus on these aspects first then the motor later, ill be glad to help as much as I can but ill admit im no outboard specialist lol. But before you go to all this effort are you sure that the engine is in good operating condition?

 

[WVfishnfool]

Hey Josh everything is looking good. I finally water tested my 14' flat bottom I'm selling it all went great. Now I just have to put a floor in it and call the 2 people who are interested in buying it. Hopefully one of them will take it and I won't have to advertise this thing. Going this Saturday to pick up the Ranger. Once I get back with it I'll have a few things to do but not much. I'll e-mail you some pics of it. I plan on starting back up by Tracker project pretty soon also. I still need to strip the glue off some parts and get a few things welded and then reassembly begins. Talk to ya later, Kenny.

 

[jalockwood]

that all sounds great on your boats Kenny im glad youre getting it all worked out and I know youre anxious about getting that ranger! ill be interested to see your tracker project come along as you rebuild, ive been insanely busy with work lately but all I have left on my boat is installing gauges into my console, I went with some panels made to fasten down on top of my console to conseal the cracks instead of replacing it for now. ive re done all my console wiring with new switches and a new fuse panel and cleaned up all the bad connections with new connectors so everything looks like its fairly new, not 100% new but its all sound wiring that shouldn't give any problems. ill talk to you later man take care