Valco jet sled resto/mod Pic heavy.

[Joecaler]

Hey everyone I have been reading this site for a while now. I have learned a lot, but I'm sure I will still need help along the way. So here is what I am doing.
I started out with a 1979 valco semi v up front to a flat bottom. It has welded seems but the benches and chines are riveted. It does leak a bit not to bad though. (I plan to fix that) It is 14' 6" x 48' bottom. When I bought it, it had a mariner 50 jet with a center console. I lost a piston so the motor went away. I found a older 85 mercury jet (a little big I know, but I like the power really helps when I turn). It’s rated for 65hp that’s about what I have at the pump. I am looking to down size to a 65/45 jet though.
I do not like a center console with a jet so I took that out. It has a "U" shaped bench in back. The plan is to cut that out and turn the "U" the other way. I will make the sides a bit smaller than they were. I have taken the foam out of the front and back benches and floor. I might add it back to the floors but I need the space for batteries and fishing gear. In the benches I will add support back with bracing and building the new "u" shape. I will tie it all together and make it solid. This project will take me hopefully no longer then July.
I will need help with paint ideas. Outside stays the same just painting sealing the bottom.

The plan as of now.
_Buy 1x1 or something of the sort either scare or angle aluminum for making the benches and bracing
_New floors
_New carpet
_New bilge
_Battery Isolator/switch/tie down/ 2 batteries
_add navigation lights for night time anchoring
_Maybe a radio
_new Bilge pump
_New Gas lines run under floor
_Run all wires through PVC under floor
_Bait station built into side bench
_Weight station built into the other bench seat
_Redo rod holder mounts
_new anchor holder or a system where the anchor line will not rub the bow
X kicker and electric kicker
_cut and re angle and weld the bow roller on trailer.
X newer rims and tires for trailer
X newer seats
_Fix bad rivets
_Seal the floor with a bed liner or something? Maybe like rubberized under coating?
_buy plywood
_maybe cut middle chine 2 feet back from the back of the boat for a better water flow to jet.
_find a 65 tiller jet to replace the 85hp
_paint the inside of the boat

I know im forgetting stuff but I have a ton of phots of the progress so far. Thanks everyone and sorry if the spelling/grammer is not up to par.


I will add photos when im done editing in a few.

-Joe Caler

 

[Joecaler]

The day we bought it

the day we bought it

a few days before the motor went, 1 of four nice summer run steelhead caught that moring. we had our limit by 9:30 am we started at 7 am!

crappy rims and the cneter consloe, also the new to me motor. Bought it for 300 and the jet pump for 150 on a blown motor.

just another look, look at the anchor thing on the boat.

This is with the new motor and the center console gone. You can see the "u" shape Im talking about. also you can see the beefed up transome.

everything all torn up

the jet is torn off and I use the kicker on the other side.

everything torn up and the "it will work anchor set up" for now tell i make a anchor nest or something like that.

dirty I know. It will get cleaned when it stopes raining here in the Pacific North West.

new to me seats
Will clean as soon as it stops raining again. and take a few more shots after a good scrub and pressure wash.
-Joe

 

[Pweisbrod]

That thing is sweet! Be sure to take lots of pictures, that looks very well built.

 

[Joecaler]

Thank you very much! Yeah it's a pretty solid boat. It does about 26 I think on the gps, and that's at about 3/4 throttle.

I have a few questions if any one could help out.
I'm not sure weather to carpet the floors again or use a bed liner? Any one have any input? I will capet the top of the benches. Also paint for the sides. What do people recommend? I can spray with guns or rattle can it doesn't matter. I just want a nice looking easy to clean and not a shinny surface. Maybe even like a zilatone? Sp?
With plywood I will seal what ever I buy can I get away with the cheapest stuff at Home depo or lowes? Or do I need to buy some more expensive? Thanks

 

[Joecaler]

Did a little cleaning today. Havent finished all the floor or transom yet. question on corrosion what is a good way to clean/stop it from spreading? Whats the best way to clean bare aluminum on the outside of the hull? I ordered the aluminum bracing today. just need to pick it up. Anyone have a good place to buy rivots I have seen a few places just woundering if it reallys matters where to get them.

 

[Joecaler]

just a few more photos.

 

[Joecaler]

The next thing is to get the pressure washer out and clean the hard to reach arears. Today I used a scotch brite to clean everything thing. It leave scratches in the paint for when I get ready to paint.