81 Bass Tracker Restoration, Rehab!

[Jinxd12]

Just picked up an 81 Bass tracker needs some TLC but that's what I was looking for.

The carpet and wood needed to be replaced and the 40hp mercury doesn't have the carb or fuel pump installed. I think most time will be spent on the motor.

A few months ago I built a 12' Sears Jon boat with casting deck, storage etc. So I'm planning on this just being a more detailed version!

Here is how she looks when I got her home.Got it stuck sideways into my garage for now!

 

[Jinxd12]

Spent an hour and a half ripping wood and carpet out, and was excited by what I found!

Someone in the last 40 years has already removed all the pour foam, and installed board foam. I will replace the board foam, just glad I don't have to whack and hack foam out!

Since this went so quick, I'm now debating on making the front deck extend back to the console or not.

What are everyone's opinions on this?

Also I have some 3/4" plywood I got from work about 6 sheets. I think that will be overkill for the surfaces, but it will save money for other stuff! Any opinions?

 

[Jinxd12]

I'm no Picasso, but this is what I have sketched out for a layout.

The original layout has ZERO storage, atleast when I received the boat.

I do have 1 question about the foam. Can I eliminate the floatation pour in foam and fill the area with the pink stuff?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Yes you can change the foam. Just remember the pink foam can be melted by gas.

 

[Jinxd12]

Good to know! Wonder if I can wrap the foam in something, like 3mil plastic. Any ideas?

 

[WhopperPlopper]

My ‘83 Lowe has a very similar lay to this. Was your bottom floor and sides all one piece of aluminum bent to fit?

 

[Jinxd12]

No, it was all plywood everything.

 

[onthewater102]

I believe I read in the USCG boat builders guide that the first 4" of foam off the floor should be urethane or other hydrocarbon stable foam, and polystyrene (pink stuff) is ok from that point upward. What you decide to do is up to you, but I only used urethane expanding foam in my builds FWIW.

 

[Jinxd12]

I did read that a year or 2 ago when i was doing my 12' jon boat.

I think i will go with the pink stuff or similar in the floor, but pour foam in the 4 corners where the flotation "pods" were. Ill also try to jam as much in the nooks and crannies that I can.

 

[Jinxd12]

Got the rear deck mess out. I don't think I'll be putting all the original aluminum framing back in. I'll just frame it up with my aluminum angle.

Any thoughts about that?

 

[Jinxd12]

Made some progress...

Got the boat cleaned out
Started some framing
Started some foam board install. I will be pouring foam in the back corners inside of the foam board walls.

Got a good deal on 1.5 x 1.5 x 1/8 inch angle. 6-16' pieces. Should get me pretty far in the framing process! Everything is being riveted.

Any thoughts or opinions. Just the little bit of framing I've done really sturdies the boat up alot!

 

[Blkrvrbart]

Hey Jinxd! I did the same thing you’re doing now two years ago for my folks. 81 Tracker II. I used aluminum plate instead of wood, added a rear deck, made the front deck a little higher and bigger. I had to replace all the foam due to mouse damage while in storage. My build is on this page, tried to post all the progress in hopes it may help someone some day. It was a fun project, and it turned out to be a nice bass boat. Since neither of them can launch it, they’ve had me keep it at my place, so when I get a chance to tweak things on it I pull it into the shed and make it a little better. USCG is dead serious about the foam and so should you be. If anything put more foam in than what was there originally.
Enjoy the project, and more importantly enjoy the fishing!

https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=44702

 

[steelflight]

tagging into this. I expect to see lots of tips for my own build. Good luck sir.

 

[Jinxd12]

Updates over the weekend.

Needed to get the side carpet trim panels in and the floor, to be able to continue deck framing. Carpet on the side panels and floor went in pretty easy. I sealed the top,bottom and sides of the 3/4 plywood floor.

I started to frame the deck extension and in the process I was trying to figure out a rod locker that would hold 8' rods. I pulled some of the framing back out and squeezed a semi-narrow rod locker in on the port side. Should be able to get 6 rods in comfortably.

Also got the framing in for electrical and batteries next to the console.

I was debating on leaving the front deck foam in place but, might as well do the whole boat. So I ripped out most of the brackets and all the foam in the front. Also spent some time cleaning out the water passages on the bottom.

 

[Jinxd12]

Got the front deck framing 99% done. Recessed foot pedal , pedestal seat option and 2 additional hatches. The deck extension includes 2 big hatches, with another for electrical stuff.

 

[Pawatch]

Making some nice progress...Thanks for sharing!!

 

[ckhenshaw4]

Looking good. Keep up the good work. It is all worth it in the end.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Blkrvrbart]

Very nice. Keep up the good work!