alans lowe 14' vbottom

[leeaj85]

14 vbottom boat that sat for 3 years in woods with fallen tree on it. I had always wanted to put flat floors in the boat and after stumbling upon this website it gave me many ideas to finish my project.

 

[leeaj85]

I had previously gutted the center bench seat to store the battery, charger, and create some extra storage. I found heavy aluminum sheet metal on the side of the road and riveted them onto the inside to create a shelf.

 

[leeaj85]

i made simple platforms for the plywood between the benches out of 2x2 and decided to use the front bench and shape of the vhull to support the front storage area.

 

[leeaj85]

simple cardboard patterns to trace onto plywood, then two coats of spar and cheap depot outdoor carpet.

 

[leeaj85]

this was a very enjoyable and fairly cheap project to complete. I used 4 2x4, 1 sheet of 5/8 cdx plywood, 1 qt of spar, and a 6x8 cut of outdoor carpet. I ripped the 2x4 down to create 2x2 and tried to keep the project as simple as possible and not try to over engineer the design. I tried to keep load points of the platforms on the seams of the hull and allow them to dry fit so they are not secured to the hull. They are a tight fit to place them but do allow the boat to flex or move without the fear of stretching or breaking fasteners. Most importantly it makes the little boat more enjoyable to use and the dog likes not sliding around on the metal floors.

 

[jasper60103]

Nice clean build.
I wish I could make a bench battery storage like that.
How did you secure the top?

Btw, that dog sure does look happy. :LOL2:

jasper

 

[leeaj85]

I hold it down with a strap when towing and it I made a lip on the underside of the top to fit in the hole so it doesn't move when out on the water.

 

[huntinfool]

Very nice.

 

[leeaj85]

Jasper, opening the bench was actually quite simple, mark out the size of the opening, drill the corners large enough to fit a saw blade in. A metal cutting blade for a jigsaw makes quick work of the aluminum benches. I had access to a large sheet metal brake for bending the aluminum for the shelf, but with a few pieces of scrap wood a crude metal brake could be quickly made to make a simple 90 bend.

 

[jasper60103]

leeaj85 » Yesterday, 8:18 pm[/url]"]Jasper, opening the bench was actually quite simple, mark out the size of the opening, drill the corners large enough to fit a saw blade in. A metal cutting blade for a jigsaw makes quick work of the aluminum benches. I had access to a large sheet metal brake for bending the aluminum for the shelf, but with a few pieces of scrap wood a crude metal brake could be quickly made to make a simple 90 bend.

Alan,
I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the tip.
jasper