Country Dave’s Lowe 1752 modification/restoration project.

[Country Dave]

How much more flotation would the large pods have given you over the small ones?

Gator I have the medium pods. The large pods about 15% bigger than the medium ones. So I would say they would give me about 15% more benefit. My concern was having clearance for the motor sweep.
That’s what was recommended for my hull so that’s what I went with.

 

[Country Dave]

I prepped my corner caps, if I have time tomorrow I’m going to finish the little bit of welding I have to do. I need to weld the transom cap, the corner caps, the braces that go between the transom and the side boxes and a couple of spots on the rail. If I can get that done I will start on paint Monday night. :mrgreen:

 

[Paul Marx]

That thing is looking real nice Dave.

 

[Gators5220]

I second that, this is going to be one really nice flats boat. Are you putting a poling platform or casting platform on the front deck on the boat?

 

[Country Dave]

Hey thanks guys,

Gator I’m going to use my Engel cooler ”Just as good as a Yeti but less expensive” as my casting platform. It’s easy to move it from in front of the console to the front deck and back when not in use. This way I don’t have to carry a cooler and casting platform. Cooler works good like that.

I’m probably going to add a poling platform but I need to get the boat in the water and fish it a few times before I do. This way if I need to tweak anything I can do it. The polling platform will be last.

 

[bigwave]

Looking good Dave, I got all my wiring done this weekend....now that I have my common buss I can finish. Are you welding the boat? TIG or MIG?

 

[Badbagger]

It's going to be a race to the finish lol. I'm looking at the Ark being done right about the end of March or maybe the 1st week in April. Just updated with more pics. Linex on March 13th and headed to paint on the 21st.

 

[Country Dave]

Looking good Dave, I got all my wiring done this weekend....now that I have my common buss I can finish. Are you welding the boat? TIG or MIG?

Thanks Kevin,

Both, when we use the wire feed it’s a MIG, you can do both steel and aluminum with the MIG. TIG is aluminum only. It’s the hand held with a argon gas. BB I saw your update looking good. =D>

 

[Action762]

Dave you have a great build here man! I have been keeping up with a few but this one is one of the better! You are doing a great job keep up the good work! I hope mine goes half as good as yours has. Im anxious to see what you come up with for the final plans! Nice work bud!! Where did you find a boat like that anyway? Originally I wanted to do a 16' but I found this little 12' for dirt cheap, $175, so I figured Id practice on that and in a year sell it for a little profit to flip to the next one, 14' or 16' where ever the deal is at. Anyway enough about my crazy ideas :lol: Great looking boat Dave!!!

 

[Country Dave]

Dave you have a great build here man! I have been keeping up with a few but this one is one of the better! You are doing a great job keep up the good work! I hope mine goes half as good as yours has. Im anxious to see what you come up with for the final plans! Nice work bud!! Where did you find a boat like that anyway? Originally I wanted to do a 16' but I found this little 12' for dirt cheap, $175, so I figured Id practice on that and in a year sell it for a little profit to flip to the next one, 14' or 16' where ever the deal is at. Anyway enough about my crazy ideas :lol: Great looking boat Dave!!!

Hey thanks man,

Sounds like you’ve got a plan. I found the boat on craigslist. It took me a few months of looking every day. I only wish I had a bit more time to work on her. The end of March is still plausible for completion. I just got the last coat of steelflex on the float pods. Welding Thursday night, then full speed ahead with paint. Good luck with your build.

 

[Country Dave]

I can’t weld. The weather is chitty, cold wet and windy. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[Badbagger]

Craigslist - where the deals are if you spend the time... =D>

 

[Country Dave]

I’m going to bring her to my friends shop tonight to do some welding. He has an enclosed area. It’s been so freaking windy and cold I haven’t been able to do anything. Only 31 days left to my targeted completion date…….. Where does the time go.

 

[Badbagger]

Looks great Dave =D> and the time flys!

 

[Country Dave]

Looks great Dave =D> and the time flys!

Thanks brother,
She’ll be looking a bunch better when I finish with paint. :LOL2:

 

[Country Dave]

I was able to weld last night,

My bud’s shop is enclosed so I was protected from the elements. Ok they’re not the prettiest welds but it’s an art that I haven’t mastered yet. :LOL2: They are tuff though, I used the wire feed and that things bad to the bone. I love the way it sounds when it welding.
I have plans tomorrow but Sunday, a little clean up on the welds with the grinder and I’m going to start prepping for paint. :mrgreen:

 

[bigwave]

Hey at least your learning how to weld......I am sure once she is all painted up only a welders eye will notice the imperfections. I will try my hand at welding on my next mod.....it might be a car though...........keep up the good work. =D>

 

[Country Dave]

Hey thanks Kevin,
How’s your project coming?

 

[Mrtoler]

Looks great Dave, those welds look good to me I don't see anything wrong with them...I can't wait to see the blue on it!!!

 

[Country Dave]

Thanks Ryan,

I’m just going to clean up the welds on the corner caps a little. The other ones you really don’t see. And yes, I can’t wait to see how my paint comes out too. :mrgreen: