jonboat rebuild

mike kiker · Feb 23, 2015

Hey guys new to the group I'm rebuilding my grandpa's old jon boat I put down some acp on the floor it was free do its not one solid piece I'm thinking some sort of bed liner stuff instead of carpet but I have screws and where I had a seam I put a piece of metal over the seam I would like to have the floor smooth what can I use to smooth would bondo work this is a budget build I'm trying to keep price down

mike kiker · Feb 23, 2015

Somebody has to have some thoughts on this

bthompson92 · Feb 23, 2015

Have you thought about a workout mat? They are light, cheap, and you can get different thickness which would probably hide where you put the metal over the seam. May not be much help, but that's an idea you could try.

mike kiker · Feb 24, 2015

What is some other alternatives to covering the deck of my boat I'm thinking carpet would look better but I've never laid any and I've seen some forum comments about carpet wearing out and being a bugger to get the glue up I liked the vinyl stuff but it's very expensive

Johnny · Feb 24, 2015

Me personally - I use a LOT of bondo on boats. Either wood, fiberglass or aluminum.
Just make sure you can get it as rough as possible for a good adhesion.

The carpet issue is as simple or difficult as you make it.
Weldwood Contact Cement is the most aggressive - almost impossible to fix any mistakes in the application process.
Very hard to remove later on.
Outdoor Carpet Adhesive (latex based) holds well, application friendly and is easier to remove.
I have never used anything other than outdoor carpet so I can not advise on other materials.
But, if it were in my budget, I would make a VERY good fitting plywood deck, epoxy, bondo and
fiberglass it all over, then have a light gray bed liner sprayed on it.
Or, the foam pad that resembles diamond tread. Then, fasten with S/S sheet metal screws.

troubledhook · Feb 27, 2015

Saw a great idea on YouTube. Use 1/4 inch thick horse stall rubber matting...its tough yet smooth and is cheap at any feed or tractor supply store...im going to go that route as well...

mike kiker · Mar 2, 2015

Went with some outdoor textured paint looks good have to see if it holds up I've got a couple of rivets that are dripping a spoonful in 4 hours not real worried about much water coming in but I'd rather no water come in what can I coat outside of boat with to seal all the rivets

mike kiker · Mar 16, 2015

Ok guys I've got boat fixed and top side painted now to the bottom I've got a couple of rivets that are leaking a couple drops an hour nothing to worry about I'm guessing but I would like to put some kind of paint that would seal them up the boat will be trailerd every time it won't be sitting in water over night what kind of paint should I use