My First Conversion

1448Tom · Jun 25, 2010

I purchased the boat this year, March 11. It took me a couple weeks to deck-it-out. I didn't drill any holes in the hull. I have a 70 lb. thrust Minn Kota Edge 2 bow mount trolling motor, and run a 55 lb. thrust Minn Kota transom mount.

I mounted the livewell timer and running light switch on a small panel on the near the bow. The control panel switches are visible in photo 8.

I'm very proud of the conversion since I did it all by myself.

Tight lines,
1448Tom

Brine · Jun 25, 2010

Nice Rig Tom. Looks like you put a lot of work into it. Did you use a sealer on any of the wood?
Also, I'm curious why you angled the bow mount TM instead of just running it straight down the side of the boat.

The boat looks great =D>

1448Tom · Jun 25, 2010

Brine said:
Nice Rig Tom. Looks like you put a lot of work into it. Did you use a sealer on any of the wood?
Also, I'm curious why you angled the bow mount TM instead of just running it straight down the side of the boat.

The boat looks great =D>

Thank you Brine!

The dealer recommended I use MinWax spar urethane to treat the lumber, and I did. MinWax spar urethane (purchased at Home Depot) does not cause pitting. It's a little expensive, $48 a gallon, but that's cheap compared to buying marine lumber. I had about a pint left over so a gallon will go a long way.

I put two coats (as recommended) of spar urethane on each piece of lumber before I put the lumber in the boat.

I mounted the trolling motor according to instructions. It runs great, and the boat runs in a straight line, not crooked like some jon boats do.