The Flats Tracker Project (1983 Bass Tracker) FINISHED

[Nevillizer]

Wow, you really done a heckuvajob :!:

 

[BYOB Fishing]

Nice project!! I just bought an '83 17'6" bass tracker on CL, so I'll be watching...

Matt

 

[WTL]

Enjoying this thread, partly because I think I saw that boat on CL...I check the mobile and pensacola cl every day even though I'm not in the market for a boat. Looks like you are doing a great job.

 

[rook]

Made a little progress on the boat this long weekend. Finally got the jack plate and motor installed.

Then came the livewell. In the original layout of the back deck it ran bow to stern in between the drivers seat and passenger seat. With the new layout it will be port to starboard and will be used as the seat. After a little plumbing work I think its gonna work like I wanted. I also had to drill 9 rivets out during tear down so i had to get those sealed back up as well. Some small stainless bolts and 5200 done the trick.

I have been trying to figure out for the last couple of weeks what to do about the center console. Well the other day it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had an old beat up truck tool box in my alum scrap pile and after some modification it produced a good start to a console. Gonna re-enforce it will plywood and make the top out of Mahogany (boat will have several accents made form Mah)

After a wash with Luma-Brite and I cut it down another 4".

 

[270Handiman]

Great work on the console! That should turn out to be very nice!

 

[perchin]

That is a great idea...... there are a lot of them old tool box's laying around too!! :mrgreen:
GREAT JOB =D>

 

[dyeguy1212]

awesome =D> =D>

 

[yak_n_fish]

Boat is looking great, rook. I saw the boat pics on ACFA a little while ago. Smart thinking with the toolbox!

Also...Nice meat haul from the marsh! Sad to think about what's in the future for the coast, especially over there.

yak_n_fish

 

[cavman138]

pretty smart thinking with the truck box. Looks great man

 

[wolfmjc]

impressive, looks like new. =D>

 

[rook]

Got the top to my console started today. Got the mahogany glued up this morning. By this afternoon it was ready to plane, kerf, biscuit and glue up. still have a little work to do on it after it comes out of the clamps in the morning but a good start.

After planing and kerfed to allow top to fit over Alum.

A couple of biscuits and some Gorilla glue and it will be as strong as one solid piece by morning.

 

[rook]

Got the console finished up today for the most part. Got one more coat of varnish to put on, which will matke 1 coat of sanding sealer and 4 coats of Jack Tar (Marine Spar Varnish). Now to figure out how to make my controls work with the center console. I ended up adding a slat across the inside to mount all my switches and help keep them out of the weather for the most part.

I had some help with the painting on the console.

Finished Console

 

[Brine]

Superb! =D>

 

[flintcreek]

Nice looking rig. Original use of a old tool box. I like the color, what brand paint and what color did you use? My brother did one of those old Bass Trackers a couple of years ago, I really like fishing out of it. Getting to be several of us Alabama Tinboaters on here.

Flintcreek.

 

[bassboy1]

I'm digging the pipe clamps with the feet on them. I can't even mention the number of times I have been single handedly biscuiting/gluing something, and the %&$* clamps wouldn't stand upright long enough to get everything aligned and tightened, especially when balancing over the edge of a bench, as the handles won't turn otherwise.

 

[perchin]

Heck yeah...... lovin that you brung in the woodworking. I'll give ya a tip about your clamps, I see ya got glue all over em. I always put a strip of masking tape on mine, that way the clamp slides up and down the pipe cleanly for life. Great job on the project, and good choice on the correct finish... to much bad info out there on poly being acceptable.

 

[Anonymous]

Dang!

I love me some redfish.

 

[rook]

Alright guys wish me luck. I gots me a LA Saltwater Series redfish tourny on saturday and as of yesterday my fish are still in the same area. Got a 55 mile run one way to get to them but they are tourny winning fish. Gonna try and check on them tomm on the way into La. Cross your fingers they stay for two more days, and they need to be hungry too. Nothin worse than spotting and casting to fat fish and then get completely ignored. Its like watching a $2500.00 check swim away from your lure.

 

[Brine]

Good Luck rook!

I'll be pulling for the check to bite!

 

[rook]

Time to start putting it back together. Got some carpet and electrical done over the last couple of days. Also got the livewell in place and secured. Im havng to wait on some parts for my throttle box and steering before I can get the console complete and the floor down. Hopefully they will be here sometime next week.