New guy/New project - Pics update 1/29/12

[Sasser]

I recently came across this website while looking for ideas to modify a 14ft monark. I have a good trailer and a not so good outboard motor. I considered just saving up and buying a used boat and motor but my boat was my Grandfather's so it has a lot of sentimental value. I will post pictures soon but I know I need help with a couple of questions. I am relatively handy but no a carpenter or body man by any stretch. A few questions:

-It has the bench seats - I hate climbing over the middle seat time and time again. I also would like the rear seat to have more room between it and the transom. If I remove these seats will I need to add additional flotation?

- Will any welding be involved or can I get by with JB weld/Bondo/rivet gun?

- I have always been concerned about building decks and it not being stable while sitting in the chairs. Is it realistic to shoot for additional deck on the front and convert to stick steer or power steering?

The design from this link I think would be ideal - https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11121 . I couldnt tell where he put the gas can though and never saw a finished product.

Any help would be appreciated. I plan on surprising my Dad by restoring Pop's boat.

 

[fool4fish1226]

:WELCOME: Check out all the great builds here there are so many great ideas and solutions.

Removing seats, Remember the seats also give the boat stability from flexing you may need to brace the sides some other way. As far as flotation goes IMHO the more the better.

Will welding be involved, this all depends on your build and the type of repairs you need. In most cases you can get by without welding pictures would help answer this question.

Decks and Steering, I am sure you would be able to add a deck/s along with steering to the boat. If your boat is a stable one the options are endless

Again post up some pictures and look over the other builds on here.

 

[Sasser]

Here are some pics of the boat. I have always had a problem with those two wide braces in the back not having enough room for my 5 gallon gas tank. I am not even sure a three would fit. Any suggestions there to avoid removing the back bench seat?

I would like to remove both middle bench seats My plane is to reinforce the ribs with angle iron where the boat is flat on the bottom. The put stirofoam down between the floor and the bottom. Comments?

Plan on painting a sand/tan color. As you may can tell from the pics it has a decent coat of paint now so my guess is just scratch it up, self etching primer where there is bare aluminum, then spray. Can I get regular old Rust Oleum from Lowes or a hardware store? I have seen hardener mentioned in other threads. Clearcoat?

I apologize for all the questions but I can tell there is a lot of experience on this board and I want to get it right.

 

[fool4fish1226]

Sasser the pics did not post

 

[Sasser]

Yeah I am trying but having a hard time uploading. This is pretty new to me.

 

[Sasser]

Okay....I figured it out. files were to big



View attachment 0608_001.pdf

 

[Sasser]

This weekend I plan on getting started by taking out the two middle bench seats. I know I want an open floor plan. Is the best thing to just drill out the rivets holding the seats on?

Also, if you notice in my prior pictures, there are two large braces between the back seat and the transom which really prevents you from using that area at all and I at least want the gas can back there out of the way. Do you think I can take these braces out to free that area up?

I appreciate any and all comments/suggestions.

Thanks

 

[fool4fish1226]

This weekend I plan on getting started by taking out the two middle bench seats. I know I want an open floor plan. Is the best thing to just drill out the rivets holding the seats on?

Also, if you notice in my prior pictures, there are two large braces between the back seat and the transom which really prevents you from using that area at all and I at least want the gas can back there out of the way. Do you think I can take these braces out to free that area up?

I appreciate any and all comments/suggestions.

Thanks

Yes the easiest way to remove the seats are to drill out the rivets holding them in. With removing both seats you may want to put some storage boxes along the sides to help support the sides and stop any excess flexing.

I would not remove the transom braces, if you want a little more room you can more the rear seat forward enough to accommodate your fuel tank.

 

[lowblazah]

Is the best thing to just drill out the rivets holding the seats on?

I used a grinder on the inside of the rivets to take bench seats out. Then repound the existing rivets so you don't have leaks or rivet holes you need to plug later.

 

[lowblazah]

I would not remove the transom braces, if you want a little more room you can more the rear seat forward enough to accommodate your fuel tank.

Yes what he said...you have a lot of torque working against that transom and those are there for a reason. I'd leave them.

 

[Sasser]

That is a real impressive boat foolfish.

So I studied the boat tonight to get a game plan together. Two things - The boat is 36" wide on the bottom and not 48". It is 52" at top. My plan was to modify the boat so that I could add a side steering console at some point but is that realistic considering the boat's width.?

Second thing is the bench seats have rivets attaching it to the floor of the boat so I will have some holes to plug other than just the side. So if I replace the rivets with new ones is there a trick to make sure they dont leak? I plan on flooring the entire boat so would it make more sense to take an angle grinder and just cut it close and try to cover up with the flooring?

 

[fool4fish1226]

That is a real impressive boat foolfish.

So I studied the boat tonight to get a game plan together. Two things - The boat is 36" wide on the bottom and not 48". It is 52" at top. My plan was to modify the boat so that I could add a side steering console at some point but is that realistic considering the boat's width.?

Second thing is the bench seats have rivets attaching it to the floor of the boat so I will have some holes to plug other than just the side. So if I replace the rivets with new ones is there a trick to make sure they dont leak? I plan on flooring the entire boat so would it make more sense to take an angle grinder and just cut it close and try to cover up with the flooring?

(Side Console) Not that it can't be done but with a 36" bottom I would stay with a tiller set up, keeps the weight more centered which will help with stability.

Plugging the holes is not a problem you could use close head rivets of the proper size and a little marine sealant. You could cut them out with a grinder and cover with the floor. If you go that they after you cut the seats out make sure the rivets are not loose. While you are cutting the seat will be flexing and may loosen some of the rivets if so re-buck them or replace them as I mentioned above.

 

[Sasser]

Well here is what I got done this weekend. I removed that old deck and trolling motor from the front. Secondly, I removed all three bench seats. I am moving the back bench up far enough so that I can have room for gas can, storage, battery behind the back seat. I will reinforce the middle and front with some braces...should be as strong if not stronger than the preexisting bench seats. Over the next week or so I am going to play with some different layouts before proceeding.




One issue is the bow of the boat. I have included some pictures and if you look you can see that it is bowed up. This is going to pose problems with extending it out for storage which I know I want to do in some fashion. I figure there is styrofoam under this. My thought was to remove this as well and build back the support with angle iron so that it will be hollow and I can include storage and battery compartment. This may be too much sugar for a dime. Any comments? I am going to add styrofoam to the floor prior to putting down the flooring.

View attachment 1


Also on the front rail, it has been beat up pretty bad by the prior deck. I have included a picture. Any thoughts on how to smooth/level this out so it wont look as bad. Any type of filler I can sand smooth and paint?

 

[Sasser]

Bump

 

[fool4fish1226]

Sorry I have been crazy busy. I have used fiberglass bondo to smooth out dents with good results. You might want to give it a try on the front.