16ft mirrocraft flats conversion

[Analog Kid]

I suppose I should start off with a brief introduction. My name is Grant I live in orlando I do more freshwater fishing than anything. Almost exclusively in lake Conway but I have always loved saltwater fishing more specifically SHALLOW WATER fishing and that's what my goal is for this tin to make a comfortable shallow water fishing machine to use in the Indian river and mosquito lagoon
here it is before I started the official build

 

[Analog Kid]

This is my first aluminum boat and my first documented build but I have been looking at all the other builds and got some inspiration to start my own thread. I had already been using this boat for about a year and my outboard recently took a crap and wouldn't start anymore which. Was kind of the catalyst to start the transformation

 

[Analog Kid]

not what I wanted to see

first I took out the console and the deck. I made this deck about a year ago it is solid as a rock and twice as heavy! Not good for gettin skinny! Glad to see it go


my brother and I flipped the hull ugly patch from previous owner
Wondering how to get these **** seat brackets off and have it look nice

Last one is patch from outside the hull
I plan to strip the entire hull inside and out and start from scratch because it is chipping off quite easily and I plan to keep the boat for a long time any tips to remove the old paint ? I prefer to make my work easier whenever possible I think there is enough pics to keep the wolves at bay for another work week

 

[Analog Kid]

Also this is kind if what I'm trying to build classic flats skiff style I would like to go with a tiller set up. Not sure if I can retrofit my remote model to tiller. I like the idea of a small coffin box livewell in the center with a grab hoop

 

[huntinfool]

Looks like a good start. I'm wondering how skinny a v hull will get, say vs. a flat bottom.
Either way, I think you are on your way to a great fishing vessel.

 

[Analog Kid]

It is a modified vee and a good portion of the hull is fairly flat with a slight dead rise to the rounded chine. I have fished this boat very shallow on lake Conway fl easily gliding in less than 12" and I had the previous "dock" installed. And the boat is quite wide to help get shallow. About 6 feet at the gunwhales maybe 5-4 at waterline

 

[Analog Kid]

here is one of the pistons from the 35 evinrude. Pretty scored up and worn rings. Rebuild is in process