Inherited a 18ft Jon Boat build along

[SMOOTHboar]

I do now know that the 30 Merc is locked up tighter than Ft. Knox.









I think these cables are toast too!



Here is my throttle.



Better pic of my steering console and wheel.



The rats nest of wires under the console.



I did manage to wire brush several holes tonight and fill a few.



The flash kinda hides this one.



But here is a better one. Little by little.

 

[bigwave]

I had an old engine one time that was locked up due to neglect. I pulled the plugs out and poured some Marvel Mystery oil in each one. I let it set for a day and the flywheel freed right up......I cleaned the carb put all the plugs back in, fresh gas and the old engine fired right up.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Really! I'm going to keep this motor around and eventually give it some tlc. Right now I just seed to put time into her hull.

 

[Ringo Steele]

I just found this thread. Wow...that is one big Ouachita you have there! I could tell the make by the transom cap and the braces from transom to gunnels. Mine is a '71 16 DSV. Best of luck with your build.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

I had big plans for the boat this weekend. But Saturday was a bust and momma wouldn't let me skate church this Sunday. Actually glad I went.

All in all, I only got about 6 hrs of work in. I had 4 buddies who said they would help out. Instead three of us went to a little league game, took the boys fishing, and then finished it off with a crawfish boil. So Saturday wasn't a total bust. Boat wise... I got plenty of ideas.

Today the warden refused my day pass. So I had to go to church. I'm glad I did. After church I dove in. I put in 6 hard hours and got several tasks accomplished.



Motors off and in the garage.



Remember that rats nest of wires and center console... Out and Out!



I now officially have a real disdain for flat blade bolt heads and ancient silicone. I also moved the boat up on the trailer 8" so it would sit and ride better.







Here is how she now looks.



Little by little.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

I'm going to use aluminum square tubing for the decking. What is the best way to mount it? Directly too the hat channel or use some sort of coupler?

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Surely someone can help me out here! I am driving into Austin tomorrow and will buy some material. Please tin heads... I need to know how the best way will be to attach the aluminum stringers and risers for the front deck to the boat.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Working in the boat this weekend. I did find out a much more efficient way to tin and fill the holes. I was able to get several done today. I'm going to keep working till dark. I'll post pics a little later.

 

[Pweisbrod]

Looks great man! Keep up the awesome work.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Ok here is what went down today.



Ground down the rivets on the rear bench.




Then pulled that sucker out!



Finally got the boat off the trailer.




There is a weld under neath and a tear that looks like it will leak.



A ugly repair on the front end.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

I did not do the welding by the way.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Ok here are some new pics and an up to date work detail. Little by little.


I went to my buddies welding shop today. He looked over the boat and we made measurements for the amount of aluminum angle we will need to get the platforms built and the flooring laid. He has all the foam I need for the sub flooring and about 3/4 of the aluminum sheets I will need to complete the floor and deck.

As you can see, we cut off those bolts where the spares we bolted on. He also made some cuts in the trailer so I could cleanly run the wires.


We also relocated the spare. Then cut off the iron claw. I'm going to get a better looking horizontal bar mounted. Also, we welded two d loop shackles on the side of the trailer so I have a great place to run straps for the tarp and boat.


Having the boat off the trailer let me give it a good cleaning with a power washers. Next we attacked it with three wire wheels on high speed grinder. Once that was done I took some lacquer thinner and gave it a good wipe down. We went back over it with the wire brush to clean up more trash that was lifted from the lacquer rub. After that I used mineral spirits to clean it good and Bob and Jess followed behind me with white vinegar. Last but not least, we put down the first coat with the rattle can. Gloss True Blue with Primer added. I love the color.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

I went and priced out various thickness of sheet metal and angle stock today. I believe I have most of what I need via procurement. But I have questions. I would appreciate some help. I will ask if I don't get the help in after... Then I will just move on guessing.

What thickness angle aluminum are you guys using to build fishing platforms?

What thickness diamond plate do you guys recommend for flooring?

Do I need special shackles to mount the square and angle aluminum.

Than you please help me out.

 

[Ryno685]

I plan on using 1/8" tubing and 1/8" sheeting. Will be plenty stout as long as you use plenty of bracing and properly placed. Just my opinion. Can't really help ya with the shackles as I plan on welding mine, but I have seen other guys on here that make "L" brackets out of aluminum angle. Just saw off what ever width you need and rivet/bolt to your ribs and supports. Hope it helped some! Keep up the good work! :grin:

 

[SMOOTHboar]

I found BMC Mill Works and Custom Lumber Supply store around the corner from my house. This place has tons of good stuff I can use. They are way more afordable than Lowes or Home Depot. They were reco by the Metals 4 U metal supply I went to earlier today. For wounderment... I priced out 3/8 x 6 x 12 planks of #1 and B grade cypress.

I think that the 1/8" alluminum tubing and 3/16" angle is what I am leaning towards. The 1/8" diamond plate here is $135 for 4 x 10 sheet.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

The trailer is painted!


One layer gone... A little more to go!


I got some time in on the boat stripping and removing the old paint and revealing a few more holes and cracks in the aluminum. The bottom looks pretty beat up. Does it look salvageable?

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Lots and lots of sanding today. Lots...

I did get the trailer done tho. So something looks accomplished.


Picture is bad. 10pm Saturday night will do that.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

Ok she is back on the trailer! Wowhoooo! I fell like something was accomplished. Also took her down to the local car wash and got rid of all the yuck in the boat.

I don't have a license plate yet on the trailer and a City PD Officer followed me into the carwash. I thought I was going to get a ticket. We ended up talking about the boat, local fishing holes, and just guy stuff. It was very pleasant to say the least. He wrote me a 90 day waiver to get the license on the boat. I just gotta keep it in my truck or vehicle towing the rig. He also gave me his card so I could call him for another if I needed more time. Guess who I'll be taking fishing sometime.

Ok headed off to the welding shop to patch these holes. I'll post up some pics.

 

[SMOOTHboar]

It happens EVERYTiME I go to Bob's place. We get really side tracked. Do a lot of planning, thinking, and general jaw jacking! Man I love going to Bob's welding shop. It isn't so much a welding shop as it is a metal junk yard/ grave yard/ metal art stuff kind place. Bob is older than me. About my dads age and semi retired. He does some really cool things with metal. Here is some of his work.
https://www.dracometalworks.com/forum/images/index.php

Anyhow, while at Bob's he shows me the aluminum section of his "bone yard". I found several very nice large street signs, a massive green house caracas, and a few hundred feet of square tubing. Bob said,"Hey that outta come in handy." Then he sprayed what ever i wanted with my blue paint so he didn't use it. The rest he said would be first come first serve. I believe I can get my entire floor done for the price of paint, glue, and carpet.

 

[Ryno685]

Bob sounds like a cool dude! Wish I had that kind of hook up.