Polar Kraft 1652 Conversion

[nwe319]

Hey guys, I have learned a lot reading the information over the past year or so. I have decided to try some modifications to my '88 Polar Kraft 1652 that I mainly use for some summertime fishing and blasting ducks. What I want to do is remove the middle bench, place foam between the ribs and place aluminum over the ribs to make an open flat space, then place hydroturf over the top. I have completely taken everything off the boat and pressure washed it clean. My next step in the next few days is to strip the paint, prime and paint the boat with Parker's boat paint. I have pretty good experience painting boats and I plan to do a camouflage pattern inside and out. I'm considering float pods. I look forward to getting some help from you guys. I have my first question. Will removing the middle bench seat take away too much structure support? I have attached my before picture and pictures of the middle bench. Note, it is not connected to the floor and is not connected to any ribs. The boat is riveted but I plan to weld the aluminum floor to all the sides to add some support.

 

[RStewart]

Awesome boat. Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[smackdaddy53]

Check out my build, it may give you ideas. Same boat, different year.

 

[nwe319]

smackdaddy,

I see you took out the seats on yours, but I'm worried mine might now be stable enough since I'm not putting braces on it like yours. I really need some help here guys, tell me what you think! Also, what's the best way to get that paint off so I can repaint it?

 

[smackdaddy53]

1/8" aluminum sheet on the gunnels will help. Put plenty of rivets and it will stiffen it up. You could even run two or three pieces of 1x2" rectangle tubing over them horizontally and attach them to the vertical walls of the seats you left and then sheet over it for even more backbone. Im talking over the gunnel braces here:

 

[nwe319]

Middle seat out. I do not notice any give or any difference in it being out. That is only with me and another standing on each side pushing tho. It has no give. I believe I'm going to switch my original idea and put marine plywood on the floor and use the aluminum I have on hand to build a livewell and gun box on the other side. Next I'm going to put new rivets in the holes I took out, and strip the boat of any paint.

 

[smackdaddy53]

Have you run the boat without the middle seat in choppy water? That's where you will see signs of flex, especially quartering waves.

 

[nwe319]

I haven't. Me and a buddy just stood on both sides and pushed as hard as possible. I know that is in no way a legitimate test, although it did surprise me how strong it was. I believe if I plan to put 1/2" or 3/4" plywood down and make it as tight a fit as humanly possible, while screwing it to the bottom ribs (being careful not to puncture the bottom) It will also help in strengthening up the sides. If worse comes to worse, I still have the middle bench and I can always put it back in. Right now I have filled some of the rivets, and have to wait on more to get here to finish the last few. I'm happy with how it looks so far. Saturday I plan to completely strip all the paint off and go from there. Gonna use parker's boat paint in a dead grass color as the base, and camo her up from that point. I also plan on having the trailer sandblasted and painting it in the dead grass as well. I've got the trailer stripped completely all accessories, lights, etc. and am waiting for the sandblasting. I'm going to build two bunks as well. Does anyone have a good link to a thread on the best way to build bunks?

 

[smackdaddy53]

Check the trailer section

 

[nwe319]

Trailer has all the paint ground off and was primed today! Parker's boat paint is going to be here wednesday and I will be painting her then!

 

[nwe319]

The Trailer is done! I replaced the old rollers with new ones, and built bunks for the bottom. I also built a "bunk" for the boat to sit flush against when pulled tight, as any roller never did fit right. I painted it with Parker Duck Boat Paint in a "deadgrass" color, and painted the wheel a high gloss black. Looks darn good if I do say so myself! I attached the bunks with sunken bolts. The front bolt I had to use two 90* angles to get the pad on the front. I used a thick carpet on the top of the bunks that were gonna be touching the boat, then covered it with a thin felt-like carpet. Lesson learned- Take the time to do it right the first time!

 

[nwe319]

Left one out.

 

[nwe319]

Boat is welded, and painted with Parker's Duck Boat paint in "Dead Grass" color. I am going over with stencils this weekend and will post finished pics soon. I use marine plywood on the bottom and sealed it after I took this, and it gave it a nicer finish and will be somewhat more non-slip and a lot more weather resistant.

 

[smackdaddy53]

Nice!

 

[nwe319]

Well, the boat is finished. I took her out on the water today and that thing was as solid as a rock. I was worried about taking out the middle seat, but I honestly believe it was more solid without the bench, as I screwed the wood into the ribs so that took out any flex. I did not lose any speed, and the boat ran smoother. I Literally feel like this is by far my greatest "self done" project. Let me know what you think!

 

[Kosinskijim]

What size motor do you having pushing that boat? I know they are a heavy rig

 

[Bigwrench]

That really looks great ! The trailer is awesome too. Great job !

 

[smackdaddy53]

Good looking boat!

 

[nwe319]

Kosinskijim » 06 Apr 2014, 03:45[/url]"]What size motor do you having pushing that boat? I know they are a heavy rig

I have a 1974 Evinrude 25hp. Thing is an absolute machine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Boat is rated for 5 people or 950lbs. Today it had 3 people and the dog, about 625lbs total, and a full livewell, and planed easily and topped out at 19mph. Which is not blazing but is by far as fast as I need it to go.

 

[smackdaddy53]

Kosinskijim » 06 Apr 2014, 03:45[/url]"]What size motor do you having pushing that boat? I know they are a heavy rig

I have a 1974 Evinrude 25hp. Thing is an absolute machine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Boat is rated for 5 people or 950lbs. Today it had 3 people and the dog, about 625lbs total, and a full livewell, and planed easily and topped out at 19mph. Which is not blazing but is by far as fast as I need it to go.

Those old 2stroke johnnyrudes are beasts. I rebuilt a '75 15 horse for my little river boat.