New boat day ......let the mods begin !

[steelerfan88]

I bought my first boat on Thursday ! After much research, I went with an Alumacraft 1542. I will be doing some mods to the boat soon and will keep this thread updated as my progress moves along. I have already started fabricating my seat bases and forward bow "mini-deck". My modifications will be well thought out and be kept simple and functional. My father has given me a Yamaha 9.9 2 stroke that is in like new condition (about 20 hours of use on it !) I will be getting a Minn Kota 12v 55# trolling moter and will be running 2 #27 AGM batteries. Here are a few pics of my new rig before any mods......enjoy

 

[typed by ben]

awesome blank canvas. im feelin your excitement... ive got a blank boat sitting outside begging for some mods!

 

[fool4fish1226]

Nice - gotta love a blank canvas - good luck and keep us updated

 

[steelerfan88]

Did not get as much done today as I wanted because I really wanted to see the new Star Trek movie so I went......GREAT MOVIE ! I am really liking what directer JJ Abrams is doing with the Trek movies ! anyway.....I got my floor board cut and sanded. I am not building a high deck on this boat as I do not care for the instability it produces and I want to keep my boat simple and light.

 

[steelerfan88]

Nice - gotta love a blank canvas - good luck and keep us updated

Yep....I'm excited to get this thing in the water but want to take my time and not rush things. I am a meticulous person and just can not bring myself to "half-ass" my work. my wife says I am obsesive/compulsive but I call it "pride in my work" !

 

[steelerfan88]

I rough cut the notches for the ribs of the boat then made a template to clean them up with my router....turned out very good I think !

 

[steelerfan88]

I know most folks coat the plywood with water seal then install carpet. I am coating mine with Herculiner truck bed coating then finishing it with olive green enamel paint to match my boat's color scheme. This should yield a more durable and waterproof product I think. It will have a double protective surface and is easily touched up as needed. I have never been a fan of carpet in a boat but that is just me. I will be installing closed-cell foam board under my floor deck to help quiet things down a bit. The floor & foam board will be easily lifted out of the boat to allow for cleaning/washing.

 

[Pweisbrod]

you will be happy with the herc. give it a week to cure before walking on it.

 

[steelerfan88]

Well....after doing more thinking, I am going to go ahead and bite the bullet and buy myself some genuine marine plywood. I realized that my current material (plywood from Lowes) was NOT made with a waterproof glue . I am glad I found this out now before I continued on ! I have a local lumber yard that has 3/4" & 1/2" marine ply in stock and I'll be going there tomorrow to pick up one of each. While not cheap at $90(3/4") & $75(1/2"), it should yield a far superior finished result. I just ordered 1 gallon of epoxy resin from ClarkCraft to apply to the wood to further add longevity and weather resistance. I will then finish it off with a good enamel paint. I think that this will give me the best, most durable product at the end of the day .....sound like a good plan ? I would rather spend the time and money now than be disappointed later !

 

[steelerfan88]

question: Once I apply 2-3 coats of epoxy resin to my plywood I am going to finish it with an enamel paint to further protect my work. I will lightly sand the surface, wipe clean with tack cloth then apply my final paint finish. What paint would work well for this ? Rustoleum enamel good ? any suggestions ?

 

[juggernot]

We made some deckboards for my dad's Lowe and painted them w primer and Porchpaint, adding grit to the 2nd coat of porchpaint on the top to make it nonskid when wet.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I'm going to use Rustoleum enamel over the oil based spar varnish on my new plywood deck. Rustoleum professional has a $5.00 a gallon rebate until 5/30.

 

[steelerfan88]

If I am not mistaken, I would only need to sand the cured epoxy resin lightly after it cures.....clean with tack cloth then apply my final paint finish (Rustoleum enamel). I do not think a primer is needed when using epoxy resin as it gives the paint a good "tooth" to grab onto. If anyone else has some suggestions....please enlighten me !

 

[harleydoc]

If I am not mistaken, I would only need to sand the cured epoxy resin lightly after it cures.....clean with tack cloth then apply my final paint finish (Rustoleum enamel). I do not think a primer is needed when using epoxy resin as it gives the paint a good "tooth" to grab onto. If anyone else has some suggestions....please enlighten me !

I would clean it with acetone before and after sanding and just shot what ever u want on it.

 

[harleydoc]

question: Once I apply 2-3 coats of epoxy resin to my plywood I am going to finish it with an enamel paint to further protect my work. I will lightly sand the surface, wipe clean with tack cloth then apply my final paint finish. What paint would work well for this ? Rustoleum enamel good ? any suggestions ?

I hope u used some fiberglass cloth in it if not it will chip off ever easy

 

[steelerfan88]

I do not think I am going to use the cloth. I am not going to build up the surface very much. I am only using the resin as a sealer to give additional water protection. Two light coats then two light coats of enamel paint. In addition to using marine grade ply, I think that should be plenty good.....time will tell though. I have ordered my epoxy resin from ClarkCraft. It seems to be good stuff from what others have said about it on the web....we will see

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

harleydoc » Thu May 23, 2013 10:12 pm[/url]"]

question: Once I apply 2-3 coats of epoxy resin to my plywood I am going to finish it with an enamel paint to further protect my work. I will lightly sand the surface, wipe clean with tack cloth then apply my final paint finish. What paint would work well for this ? Rustoleum enamel good ? any suggestions ?

I hope u used some fiberglass cloth in it if not it will chip off ever easy

If your using epoxy there's no need to use fiberglass cloth, if your using polyester resin you do need the fiberglass cloth.

 

[steelerfan88]

After getting back home from the lumber yard today with my marine plywood I dove right in head first. I got a lot done and am pleased with my progress so far. Here is a pic of my front storage deck clamped with glue drying and a great shot of the whole boat with my daughter at the bow. My vision is starting to materialize well I think

 

[steelerfan88]

Working with the epoxy resin from ClarkCraft is very easy and I have had NO problems at all getting a good, even coat. It is virtually idiot proof due to it's 1:1 mixing ration. This is great stuff ! Here is a few shots of my resin work......I am very pleased with my progress so far. I am taking my time and not rushing things. Good work takes time and I have plenty since I work nights and have the house to myself at night when I get home......NO distractions from the family while I work =D>

 

[steelerfan88]

Here is a pic of my seat bases.......moving right along