needing some help....

[fish2keel]

Hey guys,

Im new here to the forum but ive need lurking and watching all the diy builds. You guys are great! Ill post a picture of my passed jon boat that I did with full duck camo by hand with no stencils but actual reeds from where I hunt.

Anyway the reason im posting is I just purchased a new duck boat. A 14 foot wide and pretty deep jon boat. Its a great boat and exactly what im looking for to haul my decoys in. But what im thinking is I want to take out the middle bench rest and make it look like the grizzley 1548 or 1448 boats. The green ones night the boats with the run box in it. Is that possible without messing up the structure of the boat? I still need it to be strong since ill be hunting in the flooded timber. Thanks guys

Will

p.s. heres the boat i got

 

[Jim]

Nice project boat! The middle bench, does it look like it is used for support purposes? Take a closeup picture if you can.

 

[Ranchero50]

Would it perhaps be simpler to plan the build around the middle bench vs. remove it. Build and install a stancion on the bench to use while crossing from the front to rear, make it functional as a support for the blind or something? Mine with the center console welded to the bench makes moving front to rear over the bench a non-issue. It's also much easier to get into the boat in waste deep water having something to grab onto.

Jamie

 

[fish2keel]

Hey guys,

Ill get pictures in the next few days of the boat. I havent picked it up yet this is just a picture the guy sent me.

Anyway What im wanting to do is a small deck not really tall at all up front. Im modeling the boat after a grizzly boat for hunting. I will also be doing some fishing in her as well.

I was thinking of taking the seat and then just moving it up to use it as a back for my step...I just want all the room there to put stuff like a grizzly layout. The monark 14 thread is where I got my ideas so far.

Also is anyone familiar with a mercury thunderbolt 20 hp engine? I have found one for sale locally for a 100 hundred bucks and it runs and didnt know if it was any good. I was wanting 25 horsepower on this boat but a mercury for sure. Thanks guys.

One last question does anyone have a good thread on livewells? Im wanting to put a livewell some where on the boat for fishing thanks.

Will

 

[lucescoflathead]

I'd make the center bench seat into a live well. There are lots of pictures of members doing this. My 1468LW Polar Kraft has this done from the factory. It's not plumbed or wired. There's just an aluminum box inside the bench seat with a lid on the bench. Good luck. let me know if I can help. Todd

 

[fish2keel]

Hey guys. After picking up the boat yesterday I decided to leave the seats in and change my design. I'm going to pit in a live well like someone posted in the middle seat although mine will be plumbed and fulling running I've decided to put a standing seat up as well up front put a bench mounted seat in the back. All the floor will be redone and carpeted as well. I'm going to need to figure out where I'm going to put a storage box as well for hunting stuff as well as tools. Then I'm going to fill in the bow and make it ready for a 42 lbs thrust trolling motor. The boat is all welded and filled ribbed and everything super heavy metal as well. It needs some work though and a new transom board but that's ok got it for 200. I've got a welder doing all welding for me since I don't do aluminum work. If you guys got anymore ideas for a duck/fishing boat. This won't be touching salt water more than likely of that helps. Any links or pictures with any ideas is welcomed. I've gr new pictures I'll post tonight .

Also do you guys thing a 25 is enough or should I go 30 or 35 hp? I don't want controls but tiller but if you guys thing control is any better I'll do it. I run in the rivers and te delta of mississippi but fishing lakes as well with timber and stumps thanks guys I love this site

 

[fish2keel]

heres pictures...design as you will guys

 

[fish2keel]

bump for ideas! And engine size

 

[lucescoflathead]

What's the max. size engine on the capacity plate? You don't want to exceed that. If your not fishing in an area which limits horse power, I'd get the max horse power on the plate. My Polar Kraft 1468 is maxed at 25 hp.

I'm using 1/8 aluminum on the floor with 1 1/2 inch foam insulation between the ribs for support. I'll post some pictures when I get the front floor done. My boat has the same layout as yours. Todd

 

[fish2keel]

Pictures would be great for anyone that has any ideas please!

Theres no plate on the boat thats just it. The guy before me had a 25 on it and said it pushed it great but it could handle a 35 he said without any problem if your wanting to carry a load and still have the power for it.

The boat is stupid wide though its crazy and not to heavy but is heavy it took three guys to put on my trailer.

Thanks

Will

 

[fish2keel]

Well Guys I was drawing up some ideas of what i wanted to do with the boat and decided on a few small things. Im going to add two off road lights to the bow of the boat in an encloser im going to have made for it so I can see when running down the river.

I also ordered a set of led's for the inside of the boat so I can see the deck at night.

Im still searching for a livewell size to keep 5 keep bass in thats not removeable I found one I think I may pick up here locally.

Im alittle confused about one thing though. I want to put wood down with carpet on the floor but I see some people are adding foam. Im not sure what thats for. Just so the wood doesnt touch the metal? I dont mind adding the foam just need to know what kind to get and how to attach it.

Other than that thats where im sitting right now. Im going to pick up my 25 horse mercury motor next week then im going to take her to the welders. Shes getting the front deck raised to be level then the lights mounted. I will then fix a few holes in it where they mounted a few things on the side of the boat and have him mount the livewell.

Shes getting a camo paint job by me as well in grass wetlands for duck hunting.

Thats the start. Should have it done in alittle over a month or so

 

[fish2keel]

Got a killer deal on an engine! Got a later 1990's mercury 25 horsepower tiller only thing is wrong with it is it needs a pull cord and also needs to have a spark plug whole fixed where they stipped a sparkplug out. Got it for 350 bucks! Never been in salt water either. How about that!!!

I got a question is there anyway to make the motor an electric start even though according to the owner its not?
Its a wife of a man that passed and she has no clue what is what on the motor.

Thanks

Will

 

[benjineer]

Does the flywheel have gear teeth on it? That would be a start if it has the same flywheel as an elec. model. You can look up the exact model on crowley marine or merc. parts site and get parts list and drawings. Then do the same for an electric model from the same year. See what's common, see what needs to be added. I haven't done this. Just ideas for where I'd start.

 

[fish2keel]

Im going to look at it. If its to much trouble i may just not do it and stick with the pull cord option I dont mind pulling a cord so its ok.

I got the list all done of everything i need to order and the welder got the list of what needs to be done by him. He gets the boat in a week and a half on the 7th adn ill get it back on the 11th or so. It wont take that long to get done I just am going on vacation so itll have to sit for alittle unless I can have someone pick it up from him.

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

I put a deck in my 1448. Gave me lots of storage....I'd say more than my ol' man has in his 1860 G3. Thught maybe you would want to take a look at it for ideas. The link to my project is in my signature below.

Take care,

 

[fish2keel]

Thanks! Im going to take a look right now actually.

Nice turkey by the way!

I dont see many people putting in livewells that are permanent is just cause yall like to remove them? I have used the cooler method before but im going to put a livewell in just curious on how to do the aerator system into the bench and all havent found much info on it.

Will