Just purchased a boat...

[JD7.62]

She isnt much but I have big plans. She is 14ft with a semi-v hull and a 1956 Evinrude 10hp tiller in great running condition. I traded an SKS and Yugo Mauser + $300 for boat, motor, trolling motor, and trailer. Not bad if you ask me!

I am going to be decking the boat out completely and adding livewells, storage, electronics, lights, ect.

I will primarily fish below the locks at the Falls of the Ohio which is really rocky and rough water so I needed an aluminum boat I could bash around a bit.

I have found several places online that give step by step guides on decking out a jon boat but if you have done it yourself feel free to give me some tips or suggestions!

[magic]

Very nice! I have a 12' aluminum skiff. I love how light and tough they are. Is yours riveted? It looks like it which will be fine if kept out of the water. Make sure 2 strokes are legal where you are! Here in CA you can't take them in freshwater.

[JD7.62]

Yes the boat is riveted and I will be storing it in my garage so no problem there. How stable is your boat? Up front like I said Im going to deck it out so I can stand and fish but Im not sure if I want to make the deck level with the sides of the boat or not.

Im pretty pumped. My family owns a 26ft center console in FL that I use anytime Im down, but this will be my first boat I can call my own.

But since I dont live in Commiefornia (no offense) 2-strokes are perfectly legal here and most likely forever will be!

[TeChris]

Congats! Its looks like a fun project. I was thinking about get something like that but I would need a truck so im gunna go for a kayak.

[JD7.62]

LoL I dont have a truck either, but I guess Ill figure that out come spring...

Anyone want to trade a small truck/suv/jeep for a 2004 Mitsubishi Ralliart?! haha

[magic]

Yes the boat is riveted and I will be storing it in my garage so no problem there. How stable is your boat? Up front like I said Im going to deck it out so I can stand and fish but Im not sure if I want to make the deck level with the sides of the boat or not.

Im pretty pumped. My family owns a 26ft center console in FL that I use anytime Im down, but this will be my first boat I can call my own.

But since I dont live in Commiefornia (no offense) 2-strokes are perfectly legal here and most likely forever will be!

No offense taken!! Your so lucky! I don't have a four stroke so no lake fishing fo r me! My skiff is fairly stable, I've stood up in it many times, even on the ocean. But it all depends on the water state and your balance. :thumbsup: Your's is probably more stable being a bit bigger.

[---XR---]

i've been holding out on getting fiberglass bass boat like all my buddies have, personally i can see how bad and investment they get to be when your spending 35-50k on a boat to start and than all you have to do every season to keep it in good condition, skeeters, rangers, and champion are sexy as hell though. took a ride in my friend 225 skeeter the other day, damn that thing flys. 60 on the water feels like 130 on the road. i may still get a boat or just keep mooching spots on thiers...

[spotfin]

... Up front like I said Im going to deck it out so I can stand and fish but Im not sure if I want to make the deck level with the sides of the boat or not.


I would leave the deck a few inches below the gunnel. Maybe level with the bench seats that are in it now.

[mbhw]

Nice boat. I own a 16 foot flat bottom wooden skiff that I restored. I built a front platform with anchor locker/storage, and added some rod holders to the platform "wall" that abuts the floor.

I like things simple, so I tend to not mount too much crap. I have clip on lights for night fishing, a manual bilge that I added to the rear (will go electric next season w/ float switch), and I also tend to keep netting under the seats to store various items. Bait wells are coolers with portable airpumps, keeper fish go in a laundry basket under a wet towel.

I fish saltwater, so it's constant maintenance, the only thing I really recommend is to have your motor looked over by a pro, even if its only in fresh water. I hate old power, I went with a brand new Tohatsu 15hp shortly after buying the boat, smartest move I ever made.

Oh - get bearing biddies for the trailer if you haven't already, they will save your butt. I'm digging your boat, the possibilities are endless. To save space on carrying preservers, check with your state, you may be able to get away with throw preservers that can double as a cushion for you.

Here's a few pics for ya (Pop's in front, I'm kind of hidden):

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b7cc22b3127cce985494404a7000000027108Cat2zNwya-
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b7cc22b3127cce98549441cb4100000027108Cat2zNwya-

[JD7.62]

XR, I know what you mean about going fast on a boat. My dad's neighbor is a semi-pro bass fisherman sponsored by skeeter and he gets a new boat every year for free! I once drove it doing 76MPH. That is nothing compared to my friend who has a supercharged PWC thatll get up and do 72MPH in less then 10 seconds! It makes my butthole pucker evertime I go WOT!

MB, your boat is BEAUTIFUL!

The same friend that owns the above mentioned PWC is a marine mechanic so I should have some good help if/when I need it.

Can you post pictures of the deck youve built? I want my deck to be high cause I will also use it for bass fishing where Id be pitching a jig. A low deck wont allow me to do that....

[mbhw]

JD7.62 - thanks for the compliments, it was a half rotted POS before my Pop and I tackled it. I would love to give you some detailed shots of the deck, but i recently covered it for the winter and have it in storage. I'll try to draw you a picture and post it as soon as I get a chance.

Several nice things about small boats:

1 - It costs me 3 gallons of gas - $9-11 to go out for the day.

2 - I catch as many big fluke, blues, bass, yellowfin/weakfish & others as the big boats.

3 - Maintenance is a snap

4 - I have less money into the boat, trailer, & motor than my friends spend a season on gas and maintenance

5 - I can tow it with my Camry :)

6 - the wife likes it but is perfectly happy for me to go on my own

I also helped my dad re-do a fiberglass skiff and several other small boats, so I might be able to give you pointers if you have specific questions.

[JD7.62]

Appreciate the info man! I have a small "sporty" car but it has some good power. Im debating on rather or not to add a hitch to my car and tow it. However my car is low to the ground and Im afraid of the weight of the boat bottoming it out. I assume your boat is MUCH heavier then mine, but how much does your car "dip" in the back when the trailer is on? I have maybe an inch of clearance between my tire and wheel wells so Im not sure...


Man I got a feeling Im going to have the worst case of cabin fever this winter waiting for spring to take her out fishing!

[mbhw]

My boat/motor/trailer is between 800-1000 lbs tops. The car dips maybe an inch in the back. I would think any 4 cyl could tow your aluminum boat.

I didn't even use my boat once due to spinal surgery, and my son was born this august. Sad part is I have 2 boat slips in the back yard.

[Meadows117]

yeah my friend has a little bigger alum. boat has a console and all and tows it with an elantra. Pretty goofy considering I have a full size chevy with 35in bfg mud terrains.

[ewurm]

Appreciate the info man! I have a small "sporty" car but it has some good power. Im debating on rather or not to add a hitch to my car and tow it. However my car is low to the ground and Im afraid of the weight of the boat bottoming it out. I assume your boat is MUCH heavier then mine, but how much does your car "dip" in the back when the trailer is on? I have maybe an inch of clearance between my tire and wheel wells so Im not sure...


Man I got a feeling Im going to have the worst case of cabin fever this winter waiting for spring to take her out fishing!

What car? Typically the smaller cars are doing a lot of work to pull a trailer. The mileage with the boat would be harsh.

[JD7.62]

It is a 2004 Lancer Ralliart. It will have enough power to pull but it sits low to the ground and Im worried about the clutch when I actually pull it out of the water. The boat really is light. My guess 150lbs tops.

[voss345]

yea i would make a casting deck over the front two benches, giving you room for a few in the rear, if you get really pumped about this i would suggest doing rod Lockers on both sides
how much are you looking to put into it? the asthetics shouldnt cost to much
what are you looking for electronics wise
i can give you some DIY suggestions for storage and other things
my friend has something like this, im spoiled and have had fiberglass CC's
i still have a 18 ft squareback canoe that i will be rigging up in early march i plan on making a livewell for it

[JD7.62]

There is not enough room for rod lockers. here is a simple paint thing I did of the supports Im going to make. Im going to mount a large cooler between the first and second benches and add a removable pump to make it a baitwell or take out the pump and keep my beer cold.

I have a Hummingbird fishfinder 535. Nice little unit for the price.

I have another thread I created that Im updating as I progress with the build, but I havent worked on it in awhile. When I get some work done I will update that thread and get back at you.

My family has a 26' CC but this is my cheap boat to bang around the rocks on the river.

[voss345]

oops i was thinking there would be enough length for one down a side and a cooler/ storage box on the other
yea i have a beastly canoe i have up ona small lake in Nh, awesome rigged up with a trolling motor i can go anywhere and can even fish comfortably standing up
back to the topic though
so your gonna put a livewell inbetween the two foward frmeworks where benchers were?
and a nice little anchor spot up front at the tip

[JD7.62]

That is the plan. Im going to run abunch of extra foam on either side of the cooler for better floatation. On the "step" of the deck Im going to put four vertical rod holders much like you would see on the sides of a console of a bay boat.

[voss345]

ya that would be a good idea, would you be able to make a strap down place on the casting deck for rods? or still not long enough?
whatare ya fishing for anyways, smallies? cats?

[JD7.62]

I could easily strap them on the deck. I will be fishing mostly for saugar, walleye, hybrids, stripers, and monster catfish on the ohio river.

[voss345]

nice fresh water i fish for mostly bass, and Pike everynow and then
Ever consider building some sort of dashboard?