SeaArk 1872 - The Transformation...

[Badbagger]

Just a quick little history before the photos. Back in January I picked up this SeaArk I found on Craigslist. It's a 2007 hull bought new in 09 with an 09 trailer. I ended up with the hull and trailer for an absurd price and had a vision. I've been looking for a SeaArk for years. So long in fact that I bought and sold 3 G3's before finding this one. I knew what I wanted. Primary the addition of more storage in the rear bench seat as there was none. I wanted an anchor box in the bow and a trolling motor mount. So began the quest. It started at Metal Fabrication of Tallahassee with Chad working his magic with his fabrication giving me what I needed. Once that was done, it was time for paint and custom marine Linex.. This is not your average Linex. The exterior of the hull is the only part of the hull with paint and it's painted with Alumigrip paint. The black rub rails are done in Linex Marine Premium which is what the military and numerous law enforcement agencies across the county are using. The white inside the hull is done in Linex XS650 which is specially formulated for marine applications. The whisper gray on the console is also done in Linex XS650. I spent months researching Linex for marine use and there is no one locally that I know doing it so to Sarasota Linex I went. They've invested $200K plus in equipment and over 2 years of testing before spraying one boat. Last but not least, I had Kevin at KTM Custom Canvas make a bimini top. I went back and forth between the t-top and bimini. The Mrs. & her comfort won out lol and we all know what they say about a HAPPY wife don't we ?

The photos speak for the quality of the work. I've got a brand new 115 Etec waiting to hang on the boat but first I have a LOT of work to do including trim tabs, some custom starboard work, adding in my electronics - Garmin GPSMAP 720s and a Lowrance HDS Gen2 12 Touch and countless other toys. I'll be picking her up later this week and still have a LOT to do. Adding 4 batteries, trolling motor and the list goes on. I figure I've got a solid two weeks worth of work ahead of me before I take it down to Brett at Shields Marine for the Etec. & still having a custom fabricated trolling rod bracket done up so we can troll the flats for Grouper. I've found a really well designed and STRONG bracket for $200 and that's complete and eitehr anodized or powder coated. Can't beat that and it's custom fit to your boat and not off the shelf.

So with that, here is the transformation of the beast. Boat is 18' LOA with a 72" bottom and 8' beam. Hull is .125 aluminum with a .250 floor.















Trolling rod bracket which will be removable



It's been a project and a LOT of work and more to follow. All in all, a brand new boat for about 1/2 what it would cost from the factory and without the options, extras and Linex.

[Jumptrout51]

Very nice.

[Badbagger]

Thanks JT

[Dubble Trubble]

VERY professionally done! Would love to see a photo when all the rigging is done and ready to go fishing!


Dubble

[bman]

Looks absolutely awesome!

[Badbagger]

Thanks a LOT of untold hours. I've got a LOT more work to do yet. Driving to Sarasota later in the week to pick it up.

[Flint River Pirate]

Very nice!! That's something to be proud of buddy!

[Badbagger]

Thanks and more pics to follow once she's ready to fish.

[guthooked]

The last pic looks like a flip flop cooler seat. How far forward did you have to push the console to accomodate this?

[captkeyser]

Unbelievable! That is one well thought out, good looking rig there!

[lonesouth]

can't believe the transformation that linex did. It already looked good with the green, it looks fantastic with the white!!!

[Badbagger]

Thanks very much once again and funny what a little paint and Linex will do
I've spent many a night thinking on just what I wanted and the best is yet to come.

The last photo is actually ONLY to show the rod holder I'm having fabricated and it is not my boat.

Here are a couple of more photos I just received.

[guthooked]

That is one good looking rig.

[Bonecracker]

Great looking SeaArk and love your attention to detail!!! If I am not mistaken, I was reading about the progress of your bote on another web site! Can you give us the link so we can read start to finish?

[Badbagger]

22 pages worth and counting.... and thanks very much.

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic ... f2f7894ff9