This is kind of a different post since I've already sold the boat in question, but I really liked the simplicity of the setup and thought some others with 1232's would appreciate it.
I got a 1981 Sears 1232 six years ago from my best friend as a wedding present ( my wife actually didnt mind getting it as a wedding gift). I used the boat the way I got it a few times before I got a Bassboat and parked the jon. I finally got a membership last year at a local rec. club that has a bunch of old stripmine lakes perfect for the jonboat, so, the rebirth of the 1232 was on.
When i got the boat it had raised front and rear decks w/ storage, pedestal seats, nasty carpet, a bow mount trolling motor and an old Humminbird 400tx graph, the paint was pretty rough and the boat was VERY unstable with the high decks. Here it is as received.
I dont have any pics of the tear out and paint job. But I learned why everyone recommends aircraft stripper and self-etching primer. I painted the outside with Charcoal Gray Rustoleum and the interior with olive tinted exterior oil based paint.
I decided to keep the build simple. I installed carpeted and sealed 5/8" plywood floors in between the bench seats, and infront of the front bench. I also carpeted tops for the bench seat which gave me a place to install 6 and 8" posts for the seats. I made a small bow platform to mount the trolling motor and graph, ran wiring, and put in a battery box and fire ext. it was pretty much done.
The trailer got sanded primed and painted black. New wheels and a bearing repack. I made a 2x4 bow stop like some I've seen on here and installed a dolly wheel and it was pretty much done.
I got a 1981 Sears 1232 six years ago from my best friend as a wedding present ( my wife actually didnt mind getting it as a wedding gift). I used the boat the way I got it a few times before I got a Bassboat and parked the jon. I finally got a membership last year at a local rec. club that has a bunch of old stripmine lakes perfect for the jonboat, so, the rebirth of the 1232 was on.
When i got the boat it had raised front and rear decks w/ storage, pedestal seats, nasty carpet, a bow mount trolling motor and an old Humminbird 400tx graph, the paint was pretty rough and the boat was VERY unstable with the high decks. Here it is as received.

I dont have any pics of the tear out and paint job. But I learned why everyone recommends aircraft stripper and self-etching primer. I painted the outside with Charcoal Gray Rustoleum and the interior with olive tinted exterior oil based paint.


I decided to keep the build simple. I installed carpeted and sealed 5/8" plywood floors in between the bench seats, and infront of the front bench. I also carpeted tops for the bench seat which gave me a place to install 6 and 8" posts for the seats. I made a small bow platform to mount the trolling motor and graph, ran wiring, and put in a battery box and fire ext. it was pretty much done.

The trailer got sanded primed and painted black. New wheels and a bearing repack. I made a 2x4 bow stop like some I've seen on here and installed a dolly wheel and it was pretty much done.