Did I screw up buying this boat?

[Huntingtheworld]

1978 Lowe 16 foot boat.....
It's been cut up and rigged.
The transom flexes a tad bit.so in doing a full wood transom with braces wood floor and extending the deck to 4 foot with braces under it.the boat is pretty stable in the water to be cut up.any suggestions.the motor is a 55........... I spent a lot of fixing the motor so I would love to keep it.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

With that size motor I'd make the transom wood larger and add thicker where you can.

 

[bigredxlt]

Not 100% sure what you are asking. If the boat leaks it can be repaired. If the transom flexes that can be fixed by reinforcing it. If the whole boat flexes from the bench removal, you can add support by framing and decking it or by putting a floor in it.

 

[Huntingtheworld]

I'm just trying to get someone to ok my plans.i have been on iboats forums and all I get is negative feedback on it.im just trying to get the boat safer without dumping a lot of money at the time being.

 

[bigredxlt]

Yeah as long as its not leaking any of the flexing issues can be shored up. I know a lot of guys here have had success fixing flexing issues by putting the pink construction foam between the ribs and then screwing a plywood or aluminum floor to the ribs.

For the transom you up the thickness of the wood or go the more expensive route and have a welder make an all aluminum transom for you.

 

[Keystone]

I just read your posts on the other forum on this subject. I see that you have been given some very excellent advice on what to do. I did not see any "negative" comments unless not telling you what you want to hear is considered negative.

 

[muskiemike12]

I think you are going to need a full aluminum transom with a splashwell. Get that all welded in and get it decked with aluminum angle framing and you will be alright.

 

[Huntingtheworld]

Well the way they said things sounded like it was going to brake in half and Sink.i was just trying to get different views and figured this website was better to get them on.

 

[jethro]

Well, it does seems like a lot of motor for that boat, is it rated for such? I'd imagine that boat would be rated at more like a 30hp, but I might be wrong. For example, the new Lowe 16' Jon is rated at 35hp.

 

[Huntingtheworld]

How would I cut out around the ribs on the floor?

 

[Keystone]

Huntingtheworld » 27 minutes ago[/url]"]How would I cut out around the ribs on the floor?

I would use cardboard and make a template.

 

[Snowshoe]

Too much H.P. and no bracing for anything.

 

[jigngrub]

Did I screw up buying this boat?

Yes you did... if you don't plan on fixing it right and making it safe and seaworthy.

Someone sold that boat for a reason, and I think that reason was it didn't turn out like they thought it would and it had much bigger issues than they wanted to address... and of course they didn't tell you about the issues because they wanted to unload it and be rid of it.

We were all first time boat buyers once, and if the truth is to be known most of us good rooked on our first boat purchase... I know I did. But you live and learn and chalk these experiences up as "life lessons".

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you don't want to spend the time and money to make that boat right you should sell it and buy a more suitable hull for that motor.

 

[Huntingtheworld]

Ok last question would roll on bed liner fill wood pretty good? Like when I roll it on will it somewhat look good on wood? I've tried finding pics but no luck.i hate carpet.i do a lot of cat fishing here and a lot of the big ones end up in the bottom of the boat.i would not leave the deck and floor natural color.

 

[jigngrub]

Bed liner isn't that sporty on the aluminum hull but it does look pretty good on wood decking. I've seen a couple of builds done with it for a plywood deck coating and they came out looking pretty sweet. I'd go with a light gray, tan, of khaki color... black will be blistering hot in the summer.

Another good product is marine deck vinyl, I have this in my boat and it is the best stuff I've ever used. It cleans easy and catfish slime washes right off if it doesn't dry up and flake off first... and dried fish blood doesn't even stain it, it washes right off too.

You can see what it looks like in my thread:
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=21629

 

[Huntingtheworld]

I noticed you live in talladega,have you had any luck on Logan Martin cat fishing yet? I know about this time of the year is good but was slow a few weeks ago.

 

[surfman]

Is that wood in the transom pressure treated? It looks like it is, if so remove it and replace it with a good exterior plywood, double ¾” thickness and sealed with a good spar varnish or better yet epoxy. PT will cause corrosion of aluminum due to the high copper content.

 

[Huntingtheworld]

I think it is I'm not sure but either way I'm redoing it this weekend.im doing a full wood transom and going to build better braces.that should fix the flex problem.it only flexes a tad bit if I put a alot of pressure on it.then in the next month I'm going to deal with floors and braces.the rear of the boat will be boxed in.that should be a good brace for the rear.

 

[jigngrub]

Huntingtheworld » 07 May 2014, 07:52[/url]"]I noticed you live in talladega,have you had any luck on Logan Martin cat fishing yet? I know about this time of the year is good but was slow a few weeks ago.

Not too many cats this spring, but I've been whacking the Crappie pretty good on Logan Martin and Neely Henry:

https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34324