Well I got a new project. It’s a 1978 16’ Jon Boat rated for 55hp. I have fun with craigslist barters and I had a Tandem Kayak my son and I outgrew a couple years ago and we now paddle our own. I offered it up for trade along with the Jet Ski trailer I used to haul it around with and was offered tons of things but I was offered this Jon Boat for straight across trade. The guy said he did not have time to fix it. I wanted it for lakes and brackish water of the York River here in Virginia. In the trade I got a titled boat and trailer, two bilge pumps, a new water proof fuse box, new fuel tank, two new seats, a running Johnson 9.9 and Merc 50 which the guy said it ran when he got it but never used it and it was in storage, bow mounted trolling motor and stock controls with cables for both motors. The boat itself has no dents, looks professionally painted on the sides. All wood is shot but it has aluminum supports built in. Whoever installed them used 1/4 inch solid rivets and would take a grinder to remove. They main floor is a partial sheet of 1/4 aluminum riveted to the supports with pop rivets. There are also 1’ X 2” channels built along each side housing batter cables to the bow storage area and hose to the live well. One bolt put through the Transom is showing corrosion but nothing a aluminum welding stick won’t fix.
I work in an office all day so a project like this is how I keep my sanity. I restore things for fun and I am above average wrench but far from professional. I am mechanically inclined but I am also a firm believer of the KISS rule.
My plan is:
1. Remove anything rotten
2. Pull floor (Grass and leaves under it plus I want to check for leaks and corrosion)
3. Remove anything steel
4. Replace wood and carpet
5. New wiring
6. Maybe ad a hatch or two
7. Install seats and cables
8. Go Fishing
Couple concerns I have are the thickness of the wood. Its all 3/4 inch but most of it I feel can be replaced with 1/2 and 3/8. There is a small deck in the bow and another 4 inches lower. The lower one angles forward. I don’t like how it looks but may be level when It floats? I will play with that because I do not like the space between them because it allows stuff to get into the bow compartment plus somewhere to catch my feet and trip. Maybe convert to one deck but worry about being top heavy? I also want to try and find a place to mount rod holders. The built in live well is homemade. Seems strong but I may rethink its configuration. ALso woulkd like to fit in emergency floation somewhere? I welcome any opinions or insight by those of you more experienced.
Rick
I work in an office all day so a project like this is how I keep my sanity. I restore things for fun and I am above average wrench but far from professional. I am mechanically inclined but I am also a firm believer of the KISS rule.
My plan is:
1. Remove anything rotten
2. Pull floor (Grass and leaves under it plus I want to check for leaks and corrosion)
3. Remove anything steel
4. Replace wood and carpet
5. New wiring
6. Maybe ad a hatch or two
7. Install seats and cables
8. Go Fishing
Couple concerns I have are the thickness of the wood. Its all 3/4 inch but most of it I feel can be replaced with 1/2 and 3/8. There is a small deck in the bow and another 4 inches lower. The lower one angles forward. I don’t like how it looks but may be level when It floats? I will play with that because I do not like the space between them because it allows stuff to get into the bow compartment plus somewhere to catch my feet and trip. Maybe convert to one deck but worry about being top heavy? I also want to try and find a place to mount rod holders. The built in live well is homemade. Seems strong but I may rethink its configuration. ALso woulkd like to fit in emergency floation somewhere? I welcome any opinions or insight by those of you more experienced.
Rick