Dirty Dave's 1860 Tracker

[dirty dave]

Holes filled in from welder. I ground them down and smoothed them up with the grinder.

I read on here somewhere to paint in front of lights flat black to minimize glare. I taped off a triangle that will be in front of my light bar. Painted it with rustoleum bed liner, pretty sure it is flat black, if not I'll get a can and go over it. I sanded the existing paint down with some 80 grit sand paper and cleaned it with acetone. It still has some glare in the photos because it isn't cured yet.

12" light bar is mounted. I think I'm gonna have to adjust the angle some but I will see how it does when it is on the water.

Marking holes for the 3 light center marker on the trailer. The previous one was old and mounted low on the trailer, and when I backed in my driveway it nearly scraped it off.
I moved the new one up and out of the way.

I ordered some wire loom and clips to protect the new wires on the trailer. It should be here tomorrow, so mounting remaining lights and solder connections is next on the list.

Slowly but surely.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Got tail lights bolted on the trailer. And wire loom came in the mail. Won't be long until all the work is on the boat itself

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Its beem a while since i have made an update.

I have stuck my navlights on my boat with the 3m doubleside, drilled the holes for wires and screws. Just have to put screws in.

I also mounted my new boat seats to pedestal bases for the time being until i get a bench built.

Got my trolling motor mounted on my boat. I took the head off and rotated it 180° so that forward will actually be forward since it isnt on thr tramsom.

Tail lights are bolted on. I have run the wires and have them attached to trailer. Just have to solder connections and they should be ready.

Got a negative bus bar, and a circuit breaker for my trolling motor.

Getting ready for more wiring and paint.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Bilge pump and hose getting fitted in. I plan on cleaning and siliconing the base to the floor.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Johnny]

S I L I C O N E ???

what are you going to silicone to the floor and what kind of silicone are you using ?


.

 

[dirty dave]

The basket on the bottom of the bilge pump. Just to keep it in place so it wont move around.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Johnny]

Dave - there is a lot of controversy over 100% pure silicone not playing well together.
there have been some really bad situations where the silicone actually promotes
corrosion with aluminum. if you prefer 100% pure silicone or 3-M 5200, you should
prep - prime - and paint the area first.
personally, I would recommend a polyurethane product that clearly states aluminum friendly.

jus my Dos Centavos



.

 

[dirty dave]

Dave - there is a lot of controversy over 100% pure silicone not playing well together.
there have been some really bad situations where the silicone actually promotes
corrosion with aluminum. if you prefer 100% pure silicone or 3-M 5200, you should
prep - prime - and paint the area first.
personally, I would recommend a polyurethane product that clearly states aluminum friendly.

jus my Dos Centavos



.

Thanks for the input. I didnt know about this.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

We have trailer lights! Soldered, heat shrank, and covered with loom and tucked away.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

In the mear future i would like to paint the boat. I have added a picture of the camo on my boat seats. I would like to have something similar to this pattern.
Tan base, then brown spots and black lines and finish out with the tan grass.

Spray vs Roll on for the base coat?
Any brand that yall really like?
Any particular type of paint that works better than others?
What has worked well for yall?

I mainly want something tough that will last and i won't have to worry about wearing out super fast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Johnny]

as for the basic painting of roller, brush or spray.....
it really depends on your skill set and tools available.

I remember seeing some plastic stencils online for camo.
with a stencil, it would be best to use any of the aerosol paints
on the market. but, of course, you can create your own custom stencils
with an X-Acto knife and some mylar plastic.

how are your brush skills ?? you could easily get some sign lettering brushes
and paint the grass, reeds and cat tails by hand after you do the basic painting.
also, some creative carving of large sponges will work well with dabbing paint by hand.
(the Bob Ross technique).

.

 

[dirty dave]

My buddy has some stencils that i will borrow. Mainly just wondering on paint products.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[derekdiruz]

I've heard good things about Parker duck boat paint. That's what I'll be using. On YouTube I saw a video of a guy using brushes and it turned out great in the vid... sort of convinced me to do that over spray because I have putting plastic on everything and clean up from spraying

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Well i decided that the original paint on the boat is close enough for the base coat. I will keep it and touch up a few places.

I ordered a stencil kit from styxriver.com and it was here in 2 days. Mossy oak marsh grass and got 4 cans of spray paint. The stencils were bigger than i expected, which is a good thing.

Gonna sand the original paint with 150 grit or something around there so it will have good adhesion. I will have to pick up some more spray paint, i doubt the 4 cans will do.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Last night i started sanding with 120 grit. Got a majority of it done with a palm sander, and plan on touching it up tonight.

This past weekend i got some heavy duty trolling motor plugs and soldered them in. Worked great when i went to the river.

Soldered ring terminals for the tolling motor and added heat shrink.

My brother-in-law gave me this 150 qt cooler. Im using it for storage right now before i have my bench seat built.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Fabrication of gun box/rod locker has started. I cut the handrail of the bowfishing deck off and i am using it as a frame. Im slowly cutting the legs down to get a good fit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Bilge pump is mounted with sheet metal screws. And i took out the console and i am going to replace the rotten wood.

I ordered a new xtreme nfb steering kit it and it should be here next week.
The new wood should give it a sturdy structure.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

It has been a while since i have updated. Got new wood milled to thickness and cut to shape. I then drilled and cut out all my holes. I then sealed the wood with spar urethane, thinning about 50%, 25% then 2 full coats. Let it cure for a few days and got it back in the console.

Got my switch panel mounted along with steering and bolted console back in with new stainless hardware.

Set some jugs this past weekend and caught 2 catfish, got rained on, ran out of gas in 6 gallon tank, i had a back up 2 gallons. Then had a trailer tire blow out on the way home.

Bout to start the wiring part. I got my fuse block mounted on some cutting board and got it mounted under the console.

The new steering worked very well, while it takes a second to get used to the no feedback clutches, it takes minimal effort to turn the wheel, and im not worried about my cable failing anymore.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

Got the console mounted in the boat. I have started wiring my switch panel. I pulled 16ga marine grade wire with loom for all accesories. Got bilge pump, nav lights, and stern lights soldered and hooked up to switch and fuse panel.

I had a blow out last weekend and knocked my bearing cap off in the process. Ordered and installed new stainless bearing buddies.

Caught this on a jug last night. Prolly 10lbs or around there

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[dirty dave]

I just about have rod/gun box frame ready to go to the welder. I started to build a bench seat to replace the big pedastal seats at the console. I am recycling the bowfishing deck for the seat. Today i was able to get hand rail cut off and the first part of the pieces i need cut out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk