Just bought a 12' v hull boat

[Berto]

Hello tinboats, Im new to this forum. I just bout myself a 12' foot alum. v hull boat with the trailer gor $350. I plan on doing some conversions and mods to it. I was looking through alot of the projects to get some ideas and I have to say, There are some nice looking boats in here.

I started working on a diagram but I dont think I like the layout. I really havent decided on what I want to do. Can you guys help with some layout plans.

But anyway here are some pics.
I repainted the motor a gloss black.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Keep it Simple! A low deck from start of the rear bench to the front bench. Deck the top of the front bench to the bow. Remove the middle bench and add three seats. (2 in back on and on pedestal up front)


Go fishing!

 

[Berto]

Thats pretty much what I had in mind. Thanks Cap. ahab

 

[Nobody]

Focusing on only one section at first may help you get started. I thought of many different layouts and found that I really needed to build the front before finalizing the rest. I even modeled some of the layouts in 3D before going that route.

 

[Berto]

How would I go about building the braces


EDIT....


I bought some things yesterday for the boat, I got a portable bow light and stern light ( I got a steal on it $18.96... orig price $30) the take 3 AAA batteries. I plan on wiring them to a single switch in the future. I also bought some new docking rope, and replaced the boards where the motor sits.

 

[Berto]

I came up with a blueprint. what do yall think

 

[rickybobbybend]

The kind of planning you are doing is really important (and a lot of fun). With a 12-footer, be particularly attentive to total added weight and how high the decks are...Ahab was right to the point. On the nav lights, you may want to use separate switches so the stern (anchor) light can be used independently.

 

[Berto]

The kind of planning you are doing is really important (and a lot of fun). With a 12-footer, be particularly attentive to total added weight and how high the decks are...Ahab was right to the point. On the nav lights, you may want to use separate switches so the stern (anchor) light can be used independently.

Which size lumber should i use for the braces so I dont add to much weight? I am going to use 1/2in for the flooring. I measured the height on both the front and back benches to the top of the boat.
Front is 7 inches and rear is 5 inches.

 

[rickybobbybend]

You should be fine with 2x2s for the fore and aft decks (be sure you seal it), unless you want to use aluminum framing. I used wood on my first project and it worked fine; but will be using aluminum framing on the next because I want to try it. Your deck heights sound very doable. To be sure, you can put the boat in the water and stand on the seats to see how tippy it would be. "Too tippy" depends on the specific hull and is very subjective. I would think you will be fine in the back. Up front will depend on how high the seat is. I will let some others chime in on framing the floor as I did not do that on my 12. You should, however, consider adding flotation foam under the new floor.

 

[soggybottom]

Nice boat. Looks almost identical to mine. If you want any ideas my build is in my signature below. Really looking forward to seeing how you do yours.

 

[Berto]

You should be fine with 2x2s for the fore and aft decks (be sure you seal it), unless you want to use aluminum framing. I used wood on my first project and it worked fine; but will be using aluminum framing on the next because I want to try it. Your deck heights sound very doable. To be sure, you can put the boat in the water and stand on the seats to see how tippy it would be. "Too tippy" depends on the specific hull and is very subjective. I would think you will be fine in the back. Up front will depend on how high the seat is. I will let some others chime in on framing the floor as I did not do that on my 12. You should, however, consider adding flotation foam under the new floor.

I will take it out and test it. I have to get a trailer hitch and a tag for the trailer. I should be getting those next week.

Soggybottom your boat looks good.
I think the only problem I will have is the frame work. I been looking though alot of projects on here to try and get and idea of how I will go about building mine. I tried to cut out a template today but mess that up. but oh well Ill try it again.

 

[rickybobbybend]

What are you going to frame in, and what are you building a template of?

 

[Berto]

I'm goin to frame the transom to the rear bench and deck that, I need to build a frame for the middle deck ( from rear bench to front bench) , and a brace feon front bench to the bow so I can deck that.
I made the template out of cardboard.

 

[rickybobbybend]

Based on my (limited) experience, if you support the rear deck with the top of the rear bench, you will only need to support it at the transom and immediately in front of the motor. I used 5/8 inch ply. Not much framing or weight at all, and very sturdy...see my build for details and pics. Similarly, you can support the front deck, in part, with the surface of the front bench. But you will have to do some minor framing toward the bow. A lot of the folks on here use regular cardboard for tempates...I had better luck with thinner cardboard...almost tag board. And when you cut out the final stock, remember to miter the cut to mirror the taper of the hull. I cannot help with the floor decking...I didn't do that. But there are some great builds on here where that is detailed.

 

[Berto]

Based on my (limited) experience, if you support the rear deck with the top of the rear bench, you will only need to support it at the transom and immediately in front of the motor. I used 5/8 inch ply. Not much framing or weight at all, and very sturdy...see my build for details and pics. Similarly, you can support the front deck, in part, with the surface of the front bench. But you will have to do some minor framing toward the bow. A lot of the folks on here use regular cardboard for tempates...I had better luck with thinner cardboard...almost tag board. And when you cut out the final stock, remember to miter the cut to mirror the taper of the hull. I cannot help with the floor decking...I didn't do that. But there are some great builds on here where that is detailed.

I looked at your boat. I didnt see any frame work. But it looks good. Its almost like the same set up I want to do. I got some thinner cardboard from work. I cut out the rear deck template again. It came out much better this time.
I seen some good frame work on some of the boats.

 

[Berto]

Well I took the boat out to the water today and last Wednesday. So far there has been no problems. All is working well.

 

[Berto]

I'm ready to start buildin my rear deck. What brackets do I need to get so I can connect the frame together?





Edit.......

I bought some 2x2x8 wood, screws, and 90 degree brackets. I'm going to start on the transom frame for the rear deck. Can you fuys post some pictures of yalls frames. Thanks.

 

[rickybobbybend]

It always feels good to drill that first hole or cut that first new frame member. Others may disagree, but I did not find it necessary with a 12 footer to do any framing aside from the bracing along the transom when running decking between the aft bench and the transom. I did add a five inch wide piece of sealed ply vertically just forward of the drain plug to support the deck against the floor. You will want to be careful to "adjust" the angle of your brackets to match the slant of the deck, as the latter will likely not be exactly 90 degrees. A mismatch here reduces the amount of support provided at the transom. Use SS fasteners and you will be fine. Have fun.
Rick

 

[rickybobbybend]

Also, be sure to measure vertical clearances carefully if you intend to position your gas tank aft of the bench.

 

[Gators5220]

that's a 12ft sears boat I think v hull, I had the same boat when I was 14...believe it or not my buddy and I crossed to the Bahamas in a boat just like that on more than one occasion...