Benjineer's Lund S-16 Mod

[benjineer]

I decided to get serious and rip all the old boards out of the back. I was planning to use the bass boat bench, but I'm going to be lazy and just bolt the old cheap folding seats in for now. It won't seat me and two kids across but there will be room to step onto the back deck between them. That will be better for fishing purposes for sure.

 

[benjineer]

Board cut. Got back out to seal.

 

[benjineer]

Got it all in and ready to bolt down here. Actually got it bolted down and carpeted on Saturday but didn't take any pics. I'll be working on the kids' massive treehouse project this evening, so I won't get to do anything on the boat unless I just happen to run out of treehouse materials. If you look closely, you can see the legs and the tree trunk in the background of one of the bottom pic. I got the new 21P prop put on, and I played with the tach some. I was using the old control that went with the tach. Both were 2-wire. I swapped to the new control, and it has 3 wires. I can't tell that one of them does anything with this tach, but got it to work with two of them. I tried changing the tach setting to what I thought would be right, and it did weird stuff, so I put it back. I'm really determined to use the old matching tach and speedo if they work right.

I'm planning to use the space under the rear seats for storage. I'll probably get a plastic box to slide under to keep miscellaneous items. I'm not sure what else, my tackle bag may not fit, but I'll try it. I'm open to any ideas.

On the back opening, I had a single hinged cover there. I'm going to put a permanent piece in the middle and have two hinged doors for bilge access. The main reason I'm splitting it is to put the fishing pedestal seat farther back. It's still a small deck but it should be better to fish out of now, since I can just leave that seat installed. It grew by about 15", since I moved the riding/driving seats forward.

 

[benjineer]

Ok, almost done with the back deck. I just have to get a few more screws and also attach the hinges. Anxious to go for a ride with the new prop, then get to work on the rod/storage box.

 

[Stumpalump]

I love my 48 hp. Never had an engine that starts and runs so smooth. If you do not want to keep the 19 pitch prop I could use it.

 

[benjineer]

I finally got my power trim installed after fighting a stuck pin for two weeks or more. Test drive was lots of fun. 21p prop may be too much. Still ran 30 easy but was running 4500. Going to check throttle cable and try 19p again now that I have trim. I may put an old hydrofoil on if can find it. It may help if I get moving any faster. I'm satisfied enough for now. On to the rod box next.

Update. The throttle cable does need adjustment. I just remembered that I was running a different control and cables for last test run when it was definitely opening up more. I didn't check it closely enough when I installed the new one.

 

[benjineer]

Well, this thing is a project once again. I never finished it like I wanted, then we moved a year ago. I got her in the garage now. Completely redoing the front. It mostly rotted. This time no wood. Pics soon I hope.

 

[jasper60103]

Well, this thing is a project once again. I never finished it like I wanted, then we moved a year ago. I got her in the garage now. Completely redoing the front. It mostly rotted. This time no wood. Pics soon I hope.

Hey, benjineer. I remember your thread. Welcome back!
Looking forward to seeing your next mod.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[benjineer]

I have already dropped $600 on it starting last Sunday. I never finished the previous mods. I’ve been enjoying my other boat when I have time and doing some mods on it also. I’m going to pull the helm and steering cable and replace it all. Cable was too long and a new one for this helm wasn’t worth it. I have a teleflex NFB coming that I got a deal on. I’m going to be using 3/8 PVC board from Lowe’s for some of this work at $80/sheet. Key switch is broken, so that is ordered. I never got the tach to work, so I’ll be getting a new one. I have a panel mount trim switch, but I may get the correct one that goes on the control. I’m putting in a Livewell that I think I’m going to build myself from the pvc board and fiberglass. I still have all the carpet needed for the deck left over from before. I have a 12v trolling motor that needs a little work, but I’m thinking of buying a second quick release mount and 3 small batteries, so I can use my 36v Xi5 off the big boat. One thing is for sure. I need to find some things to sell!

 

[benjineer]

Here we go!

 

[benjineer]

Compartment flat bottom and beginnings of a live well.

 

[benjineer]

This is getting real. I’m over $1000 deep in this mod already, but it’s going to be right this time. I didn’t say pretty, but it’s going to be done well. I’m thinking I may scrap the front plate on the console to redo the layout. The steering wasn’t in the original plan. I just picked up a tach and have no place for it. Steering is a little low anyway. Raise it up, gauges to the right and switches on the right and under the steering is what I’m thinking. I have an hds9 carbon on my other boat, so I’m getting another mount, cable, and xducer for this one. That’s going to be a nice upgrade. I may spin my top console plate around so the cup holders are behind the screen.

 

[benjineer]

A little trim and a lot of foam. Should deaden some sound and shock and keep it afloat if the worst ever happens.

 

[benjineer]

Where I left it yesterday. Planning to glass the outside of the livewell and work on plumbing before I can put the deck on. I haven’t decided how to get water in and out. I know I want a separate fill and recirc. The drain is going to be the hardest part. I’d like to put a thru hull under the well and go straight up through the bottom of the well and have a plug in it. That’s going to be the only way to completely drain it outside of the boat. What y’all think? I only have 2” under the well. Draining to the bilge is an option I guess, probably the easiest one. I think I can get away with putting my fill pump up front beside the well. It will only work when the boat is at rest, but I think I like it better than running hose all the way to the bilge. Overflow I’m just planning to go straight across from the top of the well to the hull. Also, I was planning to put a hinged access door on top of the deck to get to the pumps and plumbing, but I’m thinking now I’ll just cut out the front of the rod box for access. Still a lot to do in the back end.

 

[benjineer]

The new dash is finished and ready to wire.

 

[benjineer]

A little more progress. I also think I got my old trolling motor patched up. It’s an MG SWDS54. It’s been in storage for years, and I finally decided to fix it or junk it. The gearing for the electric steer was rusted up. I got that cleaned and working. Prop would come on sometimes and sometimes not, but you could start it by hand. It just had corrosion on the armature. Sanded smooth and that started working. I put a seal kit in it last night. It still didn’t act right, and I’ve been thinking the foot pedal had problems, but I wasn’t sure. I bit the bullet and bought a wireless remote kit on EBay for $75. That did the trick. Hopefully I can get some good use out of it this time around. I put just under $100 in it this time. $1,452.66 spent total so far with the current work. The biggest expenses were 3 sheets of pvc board, an active-imaging 3-in-1 transducer, and the new steering system.

 

[benjineer]

A little glass for strength.

 

[benjineer]

It will do.

 

[LDUBS]

Sure looks good.

 

[benjineer]

Sure looks good.

Thanks. I’m looking forward to finally getting some use out of it.