Old Boat, New Project. First Jon Boat Mod for Fly Fisher

[SuperFly]

So this is my first boat, and this is my first mod. Wish me luck.

I will give you a little background of how I fish and what I am planning to do to this boat. I am a fly fisher 75% of the time and spinning/casting rod fisher the other 25%. I have been looking for a 14" jon boat that I could mod out to make it more fly line friendly. That would require me to take a lot of the great ideas from this site and tweak them to fit my needs.

For instance, NO CARPET! I am not a fan of carpet on boats. I understand the purpose, but I have never liked it. Instead I will be putting hydroturf on the floor panel that I install in this boat.

I also will be leaving out the casting deck. Part of this reason is that this boat is a 36" and I think that it is a little too narrow to make a casting deck for. I plan to fix this boat up and then sell it for a 1448, or perhaps a 1648 (fingers crossed).

All that said, let me show you what I have to start with.

 

[fool4fish1226]

Good luck hope it turns out just the way you want it

 

[SuperFly]

So I spent yesterday removing all of the junk I could. I liked the idea of rod holders, but the ones in there were falling apart. The styrofoam panels underneath the rod holder was oozing black water too. After that, I took to gutting the boat so I could see what needed to be fixed on a base level.

The boat only came with one bench (at the back) and it was not in the best shape so I removed that too. I figure I can either try to clean it up, or I can just get one from someone around here who is doing a boat mod of their own and go that route.

I took out the aluminum transom cover and had planned on trying to remove the transom to have a template for the new transom. As soon as I touched it though, the thing crumbled like a dry dirt ball. I wound up having to scoop the transom into a dust pan and dump it in the trash.

On the back side of the transom when I removed the support plate I was greeted with a rusty iron plate and 10 pound of epoxy that was holding it on fairly well even after the bolts came out. I need to scrape that off and can start stripping the paint off soon.

I noticed that the transom must have been removed before because someone put a right angle piece of aluminum on top of the transom and riveted it down. Underneath they had cut away the original piece to remove the transom (in one piece I assume). I have noticed this on other boats and it doesn't seem like that is going to be a huge issue.

The last piece I need to remove is that "storage" deck at the front. Like I said yesterday, it isn't strong enough to support someone's weight so I think I should remove it and at least replace it with something that is more secure (half of the places it was riveted in have since popped off the actual rivet).

I don't have a tool beefy enough to cut it out, so I am borrowing my friend's 4" grinder. I think that should get the job done.


Once that is complete, I am going to start stripping the paint.

Any advice on what method works best? I thought the grinder would cover the most area, but not sure what grit sandpaper to use (if that is what I need) or if a wire brush would work better. I also thought about aircraft cleaner, but am hesitant to use it on riveted boat. Plan on using it on the trailer though. Will save me some time.

Any thoughts and/advice would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to have this whole project done by November 1st so I would like to use every day I have to the fullest.

 

[SuperFly]

Am working on the boat today. Stripping the paint. Lot's of fun.

I do have a question about wiring for the boat. I have thought of doing wiring for a fish finder or GPS, as well as for trolling motor. The trolling motor isn't an issue because it will be mounted to the front of the boat, and the batteries will live on the front as well.

My question lies in the use/need of boat lights. I have noticed that the vast majority of people doing mods are doing wiring for boat lights. Is this a necessity for state laws? I ask because I don't see myself being out after dark unless the sun is going down as I am heading to the boat ramp.

If I am not intending to do night fishing or anything like that what kind of light set-up would I need for this mod?


Thanks for the help. Sorry for the noobish question.