Lil Bitz, a 15ft john boat modifcation

[Gators5220]

Well I made the plunge, my old boat an 18ft glastron center console got wrecked into an oyster bar (mostly cosmetic damage & ruined the outboard), so the guy called me to see if I wanted to buy it back. I sold it to him originally for 4,500 and I'm buying it back for 400! He even redid the floor in the process. I'll post some pics but overall not that much work plus without the motor hung on it, it gives me time to repaint the outside and put an anderson extension bracket to mount a motor on. I still plan on keeping this boat for the flats, and that one for the offshore stuff.

 

[Flyerskip]

I didn't read all of the posts. So if you have this already I'm sorry to repete it. But, Your boat is a Richline. I have one just exactly like it. (Before the mods that is.) I think it is a great boat and I like what you've done with yours. When I get more along with mine I'll get something posted on it. By the By I'm new here and this is my first post. Aint you honored?

 

[Gators5220]

Haha of course I am, welcome Flyership. I do know it's a richline, and I have some bigger mods planned but thank you for the kind words.

 

[kjames]

I gotta know how well do the paddle holders work mounted on the outside. I like the idea but dont want to lose a oar going across the lake. What happened with the reck do you have pictures?

 

[juandi824]

Nice work your doing on the Lil Jon boat. Are you also located here in gainesville?

 

[Gators5220]

Kjames, the paddle holders work like a dream, never lost a paddle yet. Not sure what you mean by the reck though Mr. James.

Yes J I am also located in gainesville yes sir

Sorry everyone I've been busy fishing it up, got a few pictures from fishing on my buddies gheenoe.

 

[TimRich]

Nice catch!

 

[Gators5220]

Thanks buddy, going again this weekend, hoping to repeat!

 

[Gators5220]

Time to work on the old trailer, as I had a trailer bunk mess up on me, time to make it a full roller. Pics will be posted.

 

[the finisher]

Nice build. Looks like some killer fishin out there too. Your thread is givin me ideas for my little boat!

 

[Gators5220]

Thanks buddy, ya I do alright. One day I'm gonna trade my tinboat in for a gheenoe, but for now I have to pay back my student loans! Ph.D's aren't cheap unfortunately!

 

[Gators5220]

Had a little issue with my motor over the weekend, it would sputter sometimes at low rpms. So I seafoamed the gas in hopes of not having to rebuild the carb, but looks like I might have to darn it. Anyway it was a great excuse to take the boat out with the dog for a little booze cruise!

 

[Gators5220]

So I have a million projects to do on my boat, problem is the fishing has been really good to me the past month, and everyone wants to go! When they buy, beer, gas, and food to go, it's hard to say no! Those projects can wait! And the fish gods rewarded my buddies dad with a nice gator trout!

 

[DOBSONFLY]

So I have a million projects to do on my boat, problem is the fishing has been really good to me the past month, and everyone wants to go! When they buy, beer, gas, and food to go, it's hard to say no! Those projects can wait! And the fish gods rewarded my buddies dad with a nice gator trout!

Too cool and I would put off the other projects too for fish like that!

 

[simbelle]

Nice Trout! Hoping to get on the Indian River soon!

 

[Gators5220]

I hear you bud, you gettin any progress done on your boat?

 

[simbelle]

The pedestals I bought were in my opinion too high once the seats were on then ( seats add 3") and my lady is kind of short and her legs would have never touched the deck; so I am dropping the base down below the deck. This will also provide more stability I think. shortened it 4" in the front and a couple in the back. will have to cut hole in the deck, but I got that covered. Had to remove some stringers to fasten the angles so I took this opportunity to paint the bottom with bed liner while some of them were out of the way.

Last picture is of the 4x4x1/4 structural aluminum angle that will support the seat. Since I started this T have seen small boats and even a Gonue that's seats were much higher than mine would have been. I have 12" to the top of the gunnels and the pedestals were adjustable 12" to 18" plus 3" for the seat, now thw they will be 11' to 17 inches to were the nknee bends instead of 15" to 21".

 

[Gators5220]

Sorry I haven't been on here in a while y'all! Fishing it up, and the fishin has been pretty darn good. Was in Jacksonville for like 12 weeks, working at the Shand's Oncology Center there, and I never realized how good the redfishin was there!

 

[Gators5220]

I'm in the process of starting bed lining my own boat so I know how that goes Simbelle.

 

[Gators5220]

Here's some pictures from my latest fishing adventures, trying to put in work...