Latest Boat Project

[CSMarine]

Well just put the latest project in the river for test run. Ugly boat! But it runs like a scalded cat. Turns on a dime, planes perfect. So I guess I'll live with the ugly. It's a 15 foot 5 inch V-bottom. Used to be a bowrider type ski boat. 48 horse Evinrude. Boat floor and decking rotted out. I bought the rig for the moter and trailer. Over about 10 years I have gutted it inside all the way down to the hull. New Stringers new foam, lots of foam. Floats in just inches of water. New floor and a new center console installed. Paint looks like crap, but the structure is solid. Motor has very low one owner use. Mostly fresh water. Think it might work out.

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[Sir reel]

Let's see a picture when you get a chance... we've all seen ugly....can't be any worse than a picture of JT.

[wevans]

Or a picture of JT, Sir Reel and Tin Can, all in one pic

[Sir reel]

No one has ever had the courage to do that!!!

[silverking]

It doesn't look that bad. Take advantage of Tom's detailing discount for the hull and put a new coat of paint on the deck with some sand for non-skid and you'll be set. Trust me, it'll buff right out and look as good as new.

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... =2&t=29159

[sundown]

Boat don't look bad to me either. I can remember the day I'd have loved to had it.. I had a 48 Evinrude once back in the late 80's. It was and still is tough as nails. Let a friend have it and its still running on a rent boat now. Only thing ever done to it was a carb kit and a new lower unit after an altercation down at Cobb rocks one morning !

[CSMarine]

The paint is the ugly part. Remember there was nothing except an empty shell, no decking, no floors, no splash well , no console, not even stringers and runners. The project went great until the last coat of fibercloth. The finishing coat out of three. Dang thing bubbled on me. Sanded it down, layed another coat, same thing. Got mad and gave it away. Two years later the fellow I gave it to hadn't touched it and gave it back to get it out of his yard. I said to heck with the pretty finish. It's strong so I just painted it the way it was so I could use it. One day might try again to refinish it. I've built loads of boats over the years and never had one bubble on me like that. Still don't know why.

[Harmsway]

I like it. Looks like it will get you to where the fish are; and back to the hill again.

[RiverRunner]

Looks good to me! I might need to come over and get some lessons on laying fiberglass, I've got to redo the bottom of my Airboat. The PO, didn't do as a good of job as he said he did.

[qoutrage]

Looks pretty dang good to me.

[RalphKramden2011]

I don't see ugly and believe me I know ugly boats!

[CSMarine]

One thing also. I still have to mount the trolling motor and all the electronics, and misc. hardware. That will help the looks somewhat. I have a Minn Kota Riptide RT55 I plan to try on it. I just hope it's not too heavy for the little boat. I have an Eagle 480 GPS/Depth finder, a Uniden VHF Radio W/digital antenna, lights, and all the other little parts that dress a boat out to install. Getting close to my favorite fishing time of the year, the fall and early winter. This boat will get into some of the teny tiny water I'm prone to launch in.