juanjo
Member
Hi guys, I'm new in this forum and new to boating even when I've been a fisherman for since I was young. I'm from Cuba so please excuse my writing.
I got a 2006 Tracker Topper 14 from a friend -thanks Jerry- and while the crazy spring weather in Kentuckiana is going out side I decided to convert it into a bass fishing boat by doing some modifications in my garage. I hope when the rain stops, I will be ready to go.
I will try to keep here a log of my work so it might be useful for other people as well. I would like to thanks Jonna and Danny for keeping it in their house for a few days while I figure out how to squeeze it in my garage. Finally it's inside now.
I'm not willing to do major modifications in its structure, what I would like to achive with this project is a carpeted deck in the bow and in the stern using treated plywood 1/2 in. and 2X2s. I'll be placing a couple of seats as well.
This is my very first time doing this so please if you see something wrong/in need of improvement I would really appreciate your comments.
Before start:
I started by doing a bottom frame to avoid too much pressure to the aluminum.
I don't have too much time during the week so today I only worked on the bottom frame and I put in place some clamps to add more support and consistency to the upper structure. After adding a few more clapms the bottom frame will be pretty much completed.
The upper frame is now built and suspended in place with clamps. At the end of the project both frames will be only one removable piece.
The wood structure is now completed. I did the best I could strengthening the support for the seat. I only used plywood, 2X4s and metal clamps in the metal joints.
A 29 dollar Craftsman jigsaw cut the plywood very well. I was impressed how well it did.
Today I will cut the plywood where I want to have the storage and doors will be built out of the pieces. I'm thinking in have 6 storage compartments, 4 of them might be small but the other two are big enough to keep some required gear out of the way when on water. In addtion, I will apply a water seal layer to all wood and plywood surfaces for obvious reasons. The sealer needs at least 24 hrs to dry so I will cut the carpet accordingly right before.
The water seal dried so I got ready to cut the drawer door holes and place the carpet. WARNING: I did a mistake when I cut off these holes and I could not be able to fold the carpet down to covert the edges-see the pics below-. When opening these holes keep in mind the carpet takes around 3mm each side when fold.
I used this type of latch for two reasons: to keep the drawer close and to easily open.
I got a 2006 Tracker Topper 14 from a friend -thanks Jerry- and while the crazy spring weather in Kentuckiana is going out side I decided to convert it into a bass fishing boat by doing some modifications in my garage. I hope when the rain stops, I will be ready to go.
I will try to keep here a log of my work so it might be useful for other people as well. I would like to thanks Jonna and Danny for keeping it in their house for a few days while I figure out how to squeeze it in my garage. Finally it's inside now.
I'm not willing to do major modifications in its structure, what I would like to achive with this project is a carpeted deck in the bow and in the stern using treated plywood 1/2 in. and 2X2s. I'll be placing a couple of seats as well.
This is my very first time doing this so please if you see something wrong/in need of improvement I would really appreciate your comments.
Before start:
I started by doing a bottom frame to avoid too much pressure to the aluminum.
I don't have too much time during the week so today I only worked on the bottom frame and I put in place some clamps to add more support and consistency to the upper structure. After adding a few more clapms the bottom frame will be pretty much completed.
The upper frame is now built and suspended in place with clamps. At the end of the project both frames will be only one removable piece.
The wood structure is now completed. I did the best I could strengthening the support for the seat. I only used plywood, 2X4s and metal clamps in the metal joints.
A 29 dollar Craftsman jigsaw cut the plywood very well. I was impressed how well it did.
Today I will cut the plywood where I want to have the storage and doors will be built out of the pieces. I'm thinking in have 6 storage compartments, 4 of them might be small but the other two are big enough to keep some required gear out of the way when on water. In addtion, I will apply a water seal layer to all wood and plywood surfaces for obvious reasons. The sealer needs at least 24 hrs to dry so I will cut the carpet accordingly right before.
The water seal dried so I got ready to cut the drawer door holes and place the carpet. WARNING: I did a mistake when I cut off these holes and I could not be able to fold the carpet down to covert the edges-see the pics below-. When opening these holes keep in mind the carpet takes around 3mm each side when fold.
I used this type of latch for two reasons: to keep the drawer close and to easily open.
