De-pro'ing a Tracker

Well, that didn't take long to do the sheet metal work. Looks better already, and can be easily dropped down from here like your wanting.

That's awesome ! What Did you cut it with ?

A sawsall made quick work of it. Leave enough for a flange to bend over,then clamp a straight piece of angle to the top and bottom,then back it up with a big hammer and slowly work up and down the length with a rubber mallet.

It'd be fairly easy to drop down from here. Here's some 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 angle. I have some 2 x 4 angle too,but I'm not wanting to drop that much.

Started cutting and fitting the front framework for the fuel tank and a battery box on both sides. Most of the weight will hang from two heavy 2"x2"x3/16" channel that will be the front deck stringers. Once the deck is in place I'll drop a support to it as well. The shortest I could make the front deck with this setup is 40". There will be enough room for up to 2-series 31 batteries,but I won't go that big.

Didn't spend a whole lot of time on it this weekend,but the hard stuff is about done. Have most of the framework done up front. Laid the floors in the battery boxes. Have the sides to skin yet. Still using up the reclaimed aluminum panels from the teardown. About time to order the foam and decking. The decking will be screwed down incase I ever need to remove it to do any welding. The whole front frame will pull out in one piece after removing 8 bolts.

Never did finish this thread. I'll post some more pics of how it finished out. Maybe help someone else thinking about a de-conversion. She makes a good fishing boat now. Have used it on and off for the last 4 yrs on lakes,but more so on the river. Really like the open 12' long floor with the tiller. Fishes a lot bigger than it is now. Doesn't flex,still tight,sits level in the water,takes waves better,and a lil more speed.

Used Hydro Turf on 1/8" aluminum decking.

Tidying up the loose ends. Two optima batteries in the nose,and 1 in the back.

Added some stout rod holders,with strong mounts.

Runs in shallower water now too.

Nice work!

That's is some really clean work. Precise and neat. Looks really tight and professional. Really nice design.

Really glad I saw this thread, you have done some very high quality work!
I will be installing an aluminum false floor and casting deck on 14' semi-V jon boat soon and was needing some inspiration.
I was planning to use a similar method for the bends in the sheet, it was good to see now well it turned out for you.
It was also really good to see you use holes in the gunnel bracing for rod holders, as I was planning to cut a rounded notch. Your method maintains the structural integrity. I hope my existing stock braces will allow me to do the same.
Good job, thanks for the wrap-up. =D>

Hi , I like your rod holders , simple but effective . Nice boat .


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kiteberk said:

Hi , I like your rod holders , simple but effective . Nice boat .


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Wish I could still buy them. Monster quit making them soon after I bought them. Like this style as they don't snag nets.

thats awsome!! im doing something very similar with my 93 tracker.. turning it into jet tiller..i wanted to keep weight down as much as possible and move as much weight forward as possible (fuel tank and batter in front). my sides seem fairly strong without the bracing but now that i see yours im wondering if i should add some bracing also??what do you think?

I do quite a bit of aluminum fab. If you are wanting to keep weight down in the future your decking you said you used 1/8". You could have used .080 and saved quite a bit of money, weight and been much easier to work. It still would have been solid as a rock with the bracing as close as it is under it.

Wow that is some very clean work! It came together very nice!

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northern1981 said:

thats awsome!! im doing something very similar with my 93 tracker.. turning it into jet tiller..i wanted to keep weight down as much as possible and move as much weight forward as possible (fuel tank and batter in front). my sides seem fairly strong without the bracing but now that i see yours im wondering if i should add some bracing also??what do you think?

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You'll be fine with the sides. Your decks are long enough to keep it braced. My rear deck is now gone,and the front deck about 2' shorter,so I braced mine. BTW,mine may end up a jet yet. Been thinking about it. You'll like the weight moved forward.