BeerAndBait
Member
Guys,
I've had the itch to own a boat for the past 6 years. I spent 5 years active duty military in Alaska and have moved to Texas this past year. I have been fishing from the bank my entire life (except for a few canoe trips here and there, deep sea, and friends rigs). I have 2 kids that I'm itching to take out on the water in my own rig. I've considered going to Bass Pro Shops and just getting myself in debt on a 16 foot Grizzly or taking a loan out from the bank and picking up something from a Person to Person Sale.
I was recently **GIVEN** an older 1960's Semi V Alluminum (riveted) boat. It was on a friend of the family's Ranch here in South Central Texas. The boat hadn't been touched in over 30 years. Flipped upside down on the bank of a cattle pond. The Ranch owner told me to go for it. I could have it if I wanted. I brought it home and pressure washed it inside and out. This thing is rough, let me tell ya! My excitement is mixed with doubt. I'm not sure if it's doubt in myself or doubt in the boat. I know this things got a million leaks. There's bullet holes in this thing haha. I've been researching up and down....how to patch aluminum, which holes and rivets need to be welded, what should I do: Steel Flex it? Rino Line it? How in the world can I make this thing float!!!???!!!!
I think getting it to float is the hardest part. After it's water tight, the motivation to begin the real work will begin....the transom, the floor frame, the wiring, you guys know the drill.
I just keep second guessing this entire project. Shouldn't I just go get in debt and have an instant boat? Wouldn't it all cost the same amount in the end anyways? I don't even have a trailer........and the worse part is: This boat has no papers.......I'll have to jump through the hoops with the Texas DMV to even put this thing on a Public Lake? And, how much will that end up costing me.....
I need some encouragement. I need motivation. Please words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated! Cmon, help me out!!
Jordan C
I've had the itch to own a boat for the past 6 years. I spent 5 years active duty military in Alaska and have moved to Texas this past year. I have been fishing from the bank my entire life (except for a few canoe trips here and there, deep sea, and friends rigs). I have 2 kids that I'm itching to take out on the water in my own rig. I've considered going to Bass Pro Shops and just getting myself in debt on a 16 foot Grizzly or taking a loan out from the bank and picking up something from a Person to Person Sale.
I was recently **GIVEN** an older 1960's Semi V Alluminum (riveted) boat. It was on a friend of the family's Ranch here in South Central Texas. The boat hadn't been touched in over 30 years. Flipped upside down on the bank of a cattle pond. The Ranch owner told me to go for it. I could have it if I wanted. I brought it home and pressure washed it inside and out. This thing is rough, let me tell ya! My excitement is mixed with doubt. I'm not sure if it's doubt in myself or doubt in the boat. I know this things got a million leaks. There's bullet holes in this thing haha. I've been researching up and down....how to patch aluminum, which holes and rivets need to be welded, what should I do: Steel Flex it? Rino Line it? How in the world can I make this thing float!!!???!!!!
I think getting it to float is the hardest part. After it's water tight, the motivation to begin the real work will begin....the transom, the floor frame, the wiring, you guys know the drill.
I just keep second guessing this entire project. Shouldn't I just go get in debt and have an instant boat? Wouldn't it all cost the same amount in the end anyways? I don't even have a trailer........and the worse part is: This boat has no papers.......I'll have to jump through the hoops with the Texas DMV to even put this thing on a Public Lake? And, how much will that end up costing me.....
I need some encouragement. I need motivation. Please words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated! Cmon, help me out!!
Jordan C