This is a great site. There are truly some amazing projects that have been completed here. I am excited to start posting my pics and progress. By no means am I building a boat for beauty rather for strength and speed to fish Louisiana's beautiful bayous. My boat is a 16' jon boat with a 72" beam. I bought it from a friend who had a 35 hp johnson and it barely got on plane, to give you an idea of the weight and mass of the vessel. I paid $150 for the boat and trailer, no title. It cost an additional $175 to get a title for the boat. I sold the trailer because it was not practical for the boat. I bought an older bass boat, trailer and motor for $350. I put two new tires, racers, and bearings on the trailer. I then striped the 70 hp Evinrude motor, steering cable/box, controls, anchor, etc… hence why I have an overpowered jon boat.
First step in putting together this boat is rebuilding the transom. I started with a 1” plywood which I glassed both sides and the edges. I used an oil base coating over the fiberglass.
Then, I purchased a ¼” aluminum plate where I cut out two templates the inner and outer dimensions of the transom.
Next, I had to prep the metal on the boats transom. You can see in the picture the corrosion on the transom. This is a perfect example of why not to use treated lumber on a metal boat. To remove the corrosion I used a grinder with a wire wheel.
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Next, I installed the wood and aluminum plates and used marine 3M 5200 caulk in between aluminum templates, transom wood, and vessel. (This is the only sealant that should be used in any marine application. It is expensive but worth it.)
To fasten the transom together I used stainless steel hardware with 3M 5200 on the threads of bolts. This is the best way to bolt anything on a vessel. Never use lock washers.
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I then mounted the motor. I put a new starter and power pack on it. With some fresh fuel, she fired right up. The plugs look good and showed no sign of the jets in the carbs being clogged (plugs were not white or ashy due to the cylinders running lean). I am putting in new plugs and a water impeller. Hopefully, that is all it will need.
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Next I will weld the corners on the transom (I'm cutting off the paper thin corners and replacing with 1/4" aluminum plate) as well as a bracket to mount the controls and steering wheel. Also, adding smart trim tabs that are operated automatically by gas shocks. (Google smart trim tabs if you are interested) Then, I will take her on a sea trial and see how I am going to engineer weight distribution as far as batteries, fuel tank, and casting decks are concerned. I will be posting pics and updating as soon as possible. Any advice is appreciated; please let me know what you think.
First step in putting together this boat is rebuilding the transom. I started with a 1” plywood which I glassed both sides and the edges. I used an oil base coating over the fiberglass.
Then, I purchased a ¼” aluminum plate where I cut out two templates the inner and outer dimensions of the transom.
Next, I had to prep the metal on the boats transom. You can see in the picture the corrosion on the transom. This is a perfect example of why not to use treated lumber on a metal boat. To remove the corrosion I used a grinder with a wire wheel.
Next, I installed the wood and aluminum plates and used marine 3M 5200 caulk in between aluminum templates, transom wood, and vessel. (This is the only sealant that should be used in any marine application. It is expensive but worth it.)
To fasten the transom together I used stainless steel hardware with 3M 5200 on the threads of bolts. This is the best way to bolt anything on a vessel. Never use lock washers.
I then mounted the motor. I put a new starter and power pack on it. With some fresh fuel, she fired right up. The plugs look good and showed no sign of the jets in the carbs being clogged (plugs were not white or ashy due to the cylinders running lean). I am putting in new plugs and a water impeller. Hopefully, that is all it will need.
Next I will weld the corners on the transom (I'm cutting off the paper thin corners and replacing with 1/4" aluminum plate) as well as a bracket to mount the controls and steering wheel. Also, adding smart trim tabs that are operated automatically by gas shocks. (Google smart trim tabs if you are interested) Then, I will take her on a sea trial and see how I am going to engineer weight distribution as far as batteries, fuel tank, and casting decks are concerned. I will be posting pics and updating as soon as possible. Any advice is appreciated; please let me know what you think.
