New to the forum with a new 1438 flatbottom.

jwittlock · Feb 25, 2011

Picked up a smooth Fisher flatbottom for a lawnmower trade. IT CAME WITH TRAILER, BOAT, AND 7.5 EVINRUDE! Looking to build a front deck, maybe paint the whole rig. needs a little work but its going to be a serious set up when done. Open to all Ideas. Please help as im new to the custom jon boat world. Need lots of info on painting the boat. Where do I start? Also ideas for the front deck, i like a good sized deck and storage would be great, i also fish with my dog, not usually any other humans. lol Thanks in advance!

Ictalurus · Feb 25, 2011

That is one sweet set up man, love the boat. I just brush painted mine, two coats of primer and two coats of exterior oil based paint. Some spray their boats and also have good results. See how the 1438 handles before you put a large elevated deck on there, especially if you fish larger waters. On the other hand, if you have pretty decent sea legs and fish alone like you said, you'll probably be alright. Can't wait to see the restore on this boat, great find =D>

arkansasnative · Feb 25, 2011

Nice looking platform to build on! My suggestion for paint would be to begin by cleaning... it looks to be bare aluminum so just a good pressure wash or using mineral spirits and scrubbing. Make sure its super clean, the final result is only as good as the work under the top coat! Next i would lay down a coat of self etching primer found in the automotive section near the touch up paint at walmart. ONLY USE THIS TYPE OF PRIMER FOR ALUMINUM! The top coat is up to you as to what kind of paint you want to use... I will HIGHLY recommend going to your nearest tractor supply or farm supply store and picking up some Tractor/Implement paint AND THE HARDENER. It comes in a lot of different colors and with the hardener its about as close as you can get to powdercoating. If it can hold up in the fields against all the stuff that scrapes and rubs a tractor, it will do good on a boat! Apply with a high density foam roller (i used 3") you can also get at walmart in thin coats, i think i did 3.

If you want to see the finished results check out my build thread!

hyzerbomber · Feb 25, 2011

Have the same boat but have not been able to start yet. Will be following to see how your rig turns out!

jwittlock · Feb 25, 2011

Thanks for the input guys! I built a two foot longer deck on the beast today using some scrap 2x4s and some 11ga steel. We own a sheet metal shop equipped with a Dynatorch Cnc Plasma machine, so of course the deck build was fairly simple for me. I used some of the spray can rhino-lining to coat the deck with. I used this stuff in the floor of my jeep and loved it, we'll see how it goes on the boat. I also sprayed the stern where the tank and transom is with the rhinoliner as well. I was hoping this would keep the tank from sliding. One of my favorite things I did with the deck is put doors on it for storage underneath. Once again, having a cnc machine is wonderful

. the very front of the boat will be used for battery storage, and the other two compartments will be used for tackle, life jackets, assault rifles, ect... I will post some pictures for you guys in the morning!

jwittlock · Feb 26, 2011

Hey guys did some work on the ole' boat today. Finished up the deck, mounted the battery box, put a new winch, and tongue on the trailer, pulled out all the flooring cleaned everything, mounted the doors on the deck, wired up and rigged up the ancient bow mount troller deal for the the trolling motor, wired up the fish finder, moved the drivers seat to fit a right handed person, and remounted the front seat. I also vacuumed and cleaned the hell out of the poor thing. I'd say pretty good all in a days work. The biggest pain was caulking off the new deck stuff to keep it waterproof. That stuff gets so messy, and takes forever to dry! I get all my electrical stuff (lights, switch panel, nav lights, ect...) in the mail Monday from https:/www.wholesalemarine.com. So after I get that done, hopefully the guys at the engine shop will have my motor finished on Tuesday, then I can start slaying the bass. Hoping that motor doesn't cost an arm and a leg, just for a tune up and a recoil starter fix? Any Ideas? I attached the new pictures so I Wanna hear what you guys have to say! TTYL

arkansasnative · Feb 27, 2011

lookin good man... is that paint on the sheetmetal? are you worried about it rusting later? how heavy was it?

jwittlock · Feb 27, 2011

Its actually powdercoated, (we do that at our shop as well) and then rhinolined over the powdercoating. I don't think it will ever rust in my lifetime lol. It doesn't weigh much, I figure the whole deck, 2x4s and all might have added 35lbs to the boat, and its strong as an ox. Still debating on colors for paint, so it might be a while before I get on that task. Should have everything Wired monday! WOOO!

jwittlock · Mar 4, 2011

Been out in the little rig a few times now. Its is a lot more stable than planned, thank god. Went and tore em up on Lake Catoma Cullman, AL today, caught 7, all under 4lbs. Took the three big fish and threw em in the personal pond at the house. I kinda make a habit of that here lately. Hoping to get a good set up for my pond. Does anybody have any tips on setting the trim on these little rigs?