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Kevin
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« on: January 16, 2010, 10:26:48 PM » |
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When I was home for Thanksgiving, I was driving along the highway and noticed a boat sitting outside a pawn shop. It was just what I had been looking for. I needed something for both the river and the lake. Nothing fancy, just a good solid boat that is flexible.
Unfortunately, when I called the next day, the guy said he had sold it that morning. Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed ... especially after he told me what he let it go for.
Well, Christmas rolled around, and I drove by the shop again. Outside sat another boat. Again, the kind of boat I've had an eye out for.
Turns out, it was the exact same boat from a month earlier. Unbeknownst to me, the guy who had originally bought it ended up backing out, and it had been sitting there this entire time.
I didn't let it go this time. I'm pretty proud of it, and I plan on turning it into a nice little project boat. Custom seats, trim, etc.
I got both the boat and trailer for $250 bucks. Seemed like a hell of deal to me! Let me know what you guys think about it!
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2010, 10:31:20 PM by Kevin »
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DeerSlayer
Country Boy Can Survive
location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 265
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« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2010, 12:13:36 PM » |
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Looking good. Should be a fun project.
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Backwater
Outdoorsman
location: Near White River
Posts: 22
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« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2010, 09:25:02 AM » |
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Those are fun projects, especially on those bad days not able to do anything else. I have done back in the past. I enjoy just modifying something for my use. I am new and lost as a goose on this forum. It'll just have to get use to this.  I enjoy bowhunting and squirrel hunting or whatever hunting I get invited to do, sometimes. Fishing? Sometimes can't get enough. Basically, crappie, bass, bream and catfish. One thing is a must in order to hunt and fish is a boat. I spend most of my time on the water. Hoping in the next few years to buy a bigger boat to hunt and fish from. |
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Kevin
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« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2010, 01:48:27 PM » |
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Well we're glad to have you here.
Yeah I'm already working on a design for some wooden seats. Also, the trim around the top of this boat is wood, and although it is dark and weathered, it is not cracked or anything, so I"m going to sand it down and finish it. Going to do the same to the wood on the front there.
Not sure I'm going to be able to do anything with the paint. I have looked into it a bit and I think it is pretty hard to mess with.
Mainly I'm thinking I'll use this boat to trout fish on rivers but probably would be just fine for small lakes too.
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jessicaburton
Just Starting Out
location: Magnolia, Arkansas
Posts: 10
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« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2010, 10:22:06 AM » |
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the boat looks cool. it'll be a fun project to do...
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if it FLiES....it DiES
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Kevin
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« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2010, 10:50:44 PM » |
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Thanks.
I still need to get a motor for this dude though. What do you guys think I can run bare minimum? I don't want to pay a lot so would like to get the absolute smallest motor that will get me by. It is a 14ft.
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ArkansasSloughboy
Forum Moderator
Country Boy Can Survive
location: Conway
Posts: 403
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« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2010, 09:58:01 AM » |
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Kevin,
I think you could get by with one of those 5hp briggs and strattons. They are as affordable and dependable as it gets for a small outboard. That being said.. I have a 14 ft and used to have a 9.9 on it. I was fishing on the little red when they were generating full boar. Trying to go up stream... I had the motor wide open and was moving about 200 yds an hour. I now run a 15hp on that boat.
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DuckJunkies Prostaff
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ArkansasSloughboy
Forum Moderator
Country Boy Can Survive
location: Conway
Posts: 403
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« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2010, 10:52:22 AM » |
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They usually keep them in stock at Academy and usually have the best price. The only downside I've seen on them is that I think they use a shear pin instead of a slip prop.
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DuckJunkies Prostaff
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Backwater
Outdoorsman
location: Near White River
Posts: 22
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« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2010, 07:05:26 AM » |
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I have a 14x36 with a 8hp Mariner. It did good until I built front deck. Still ok, but next year may try to sell it and get a 15hp. Soon as I get home projects and shop built next year my next goal will get another boat. I am looking toward a 15x42(or 48), open boat with casting deck, tricked out and put a 35hp on it.
On Craig's list there are several in Memphis area. My friend bought one from a guy that buys and sells used outboards. Last I looked he had some 6hp,9.9hp and 15hp. Pics looks good.
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ArkansasSloughboy
Forum Moderator
Country Boy Can Survive
location: Conway
Posts: 403
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« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2010, 09:16:59 AM » |
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This weekend I was fooling around on the web watching the opening morning boat race at Hurricane and the race at Bayou Meto (both must sees) and then I started looking at boats. Has anyone seen the Excel F4 Echo series? Looks like it costs a million dollars, but that thing is sweeeeet!
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DuckJunkies Prostaff
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Kevin
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« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2010, 10:00:52 AM » |
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First I've seen of it. Pretty sweet though. Here is a video:
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arkyduckboy
Outdoorsman
location: Springdale, AR
Posts: 40
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« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2010, 12:46:39 PM » |
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Good lookin boat for a project. I would have been all over that !
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Kevin
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« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2010, 01:04:21 PM » |
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Thanks. I will start putting pics up as I really get started on sanding and what not. Would love to hear any ideas, if anybody has any. I think just sanding down all the wood is a good start. Not sure what kind of finish it will take, but I'm hoping I can get it to lighten up. The trim, the deck at the front, the transom, and the back two corner wood pieces sanded and stained will look good I think.
Plus whatever I end up doing to the seats.
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« Last Edit: February 16, 2010, 02:51:47 PM by Kevin »
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ArkansasSloughboy
Forum Moderator
Country Boy Can Survive
location: Conway
Posts: 403
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« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2010, 02:04:19 PM » |
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http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.htmlKevin, I was looking into building boats a while back and this site has what appears to be some good products... marine flotation foam, clear cote epoxy and such. You might give it a look.
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DuckJunkies Prostaff
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Kevin
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« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2010, 09:15:13 AM » |
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Started serious work on the boat this weekend. Sanded down the trim, ripped out the seats, etc. I am putting a darker wood finish on the trim. I sanded the hell out of it, but the wood is pretty weathered, and some dark gray color just will not come out. So even though I originally wanted to go with a lighter color, I think this darker minwax will look best. I will apply several coats of polyurethane to seal it.
For the seats, I am simply going to use pre-cut staircase planks I found at Lowe's. I think these are going to work well for bench seats. I still want to have the option of having the regular boat seats, so I'm going to install the bench, cut a hole in the middle, and insert a removable pedestal.
Only problem right now is, I need to find new mounts/brackets to attach the seat to the boat. I'm looking for some that are wood.
Also, I have decided that I'm going to repaint the interior of the boat, and the white on the outside. I think I'll just leave the blue as-is. I'm going to rip out the interior carpet. What I will put in its place is still undecided.
If anybody has a good tutorial on painting a fiberglass boat, or if you have done it before yourself, I would greatly appreciate it any info on prepping, paints etc. I have found some online, but they all are a little different, so I'm a little unsure on the exact steps to take in the painting process.
I will upload pics as I go along.
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