Project "rebuild-a-boat" has started...

[rogerdodger]

GungasUncle got me interested in building a boat and I did some internet research and checked some plans and pictures/journals, but in the end I decided that I just don't have the space to build a new boat...but I learned that we have a place in Eugene that sells high quality marine plywood, so I decided to do a mini-rebuild on the old "Crab Bandit"....

Step 1 was just completed- during a weekend break from the Siuslaw Circus, I converted back to "Guide Boat Style"- went back to tiller control on the main outboard and removed all the steering and remote throttle hardware (~30pounds gone), relocated the Lowrance and rebuilt the electrical wiring. This lets me run the electric trolling and main outboard from the back, moves my seat over closer to rod holders and sonar, and opens up the main deck of the boat.

Step 2 will be to replace the original deck plywood with really nice marine plywood, this will happen after salmon season is over, and will give me a chance to touch up the gray paint and replace the all weather carpet on the sides of the hull...cheers, roger

 

[TimberTodd]

Im looking forward to your progress reports Roger.

 

[GungasUncle]

Always glad to inspire people - especially if they don't make the same mistakes I do. Some folks are meant to be shining examples of how to do things - others of us are good examples of hard knocks education and flat forehead frustrations that somehow still get something accomplished. Looking forward to more progress updates - may your project NOT take as long as mine has!

I'm interested in how you've got your "cockpit" layout redone - a few of the things still stumping me is how & where exactly I intend to mount things like the depth finder, rod storage, etc. I'm leaning toward a removable cap'n's chair for me (which may or may not start out being a folding camp chair before I drop coin for one of the metal based ones Fisherman's Marine sells), I'm thinking of building in a small box or shelf for the fish finder and switch panel for nav lights and eventual VHF radio. If you get a chance to get some close up photos of your setup, I'd like to study them and maybe get feed back on how you like your setup, and what you'd change.

 

[troutmasta]

Gittr dun!

 

[rogerdodger]

I'm interested in how you've got your "cockpit" layout redone - a few of the things still stumping me is how & where exactly I intend to mount things like the depth finder, rod storage, etc. I'm leaning toward a removable cap'n's chair for me (which may or may not start out being a folding camp chair before I drop coin for one of the metal based ones Fisherman's Marine sells), I'm thinking of building in a small box or shelf for the fish finder and switch panel for nav lights and eventual VHF radio. If you get a chance to get some close up photos of your setup, I'd like to study them and maybe get feed back on how you like your setup, and what you'd change.

GungasUncle- here are a couple more images from my shake-down run today, image looking forward I am sitting on my seat, hand on the main tiller and my foot resting on the locking storage box....I am so happy to have gone back to tiller control of the main which was my original configuration back in 1995.

boat is 16.5' long and just under 6' wide. one of my first additions (long, long ago) was gear boards on each side (the new oak ones are the 3rd set of these), in addition to rod holders and such, it allowed us install a 6' wide bimini top on a sliding track, which makes the boat feel wider inside when the top is up (more elbow room). You can see that I now have the sonar mounted OFF the starboard gear board with a rod holder just forward of it.

looking back from the front, there was a rear bench seat that I removed last year (note the missing carpet on each side) but I left the rear vertical aluminum from that bench seat, stiffened it with a redwood 2x4 on top and cedar fence board on front side, then I mounted the little seat from Cabela's on top. The gear organizer under my legs is half of a CLC 48 pocket bucket organizer, I love having all that gear quick at hand.

I like having the lockable box seat to store all the boat paperwork and emergency stuff plus it is a good place to rest my feet....other than that the deck area is wide open to fight and net fish..it should look fantastic next Spring with fresh Mahogany deck boards, paint touched up, and new carpet down each side....cheers, roger

 

[GungasUncle]

Thanks for the shots. How does it work with the electric motor right behind you on the transom corner? Do you have to constantly correct your course?

 

[rogerdodger]

Thanks for the shots. How does it work with the electric motor right behind you on the transom corner? Do you have to constantly correct your course?

it works great, I installed it there 3 years ago, it is a 45# MinnKota saltwater with digital maximizer control, we have the normal light boat course corrections for wind, waves, and wakes...we do all our trolling on the electric, between 30% and 50% is normal trolling (~1.5mph, batts have enough juice for 8 hours of that!), at 100% it will move us about 2.5mph...the 30hp main is used for changing locations and 2.5hp is the "get us home" back-up motor...cheers, roger

 

[eugene1]

Looks great, and now that you've had it both ways, you got what you want figured out.

Best,

ps. where did you get the Marine ply?

 

[rogerdodger]

Looks great, and now that you've had it both ways, you got what you want figured out.

Best,

ps. where did you get the Marine ply?

I am planning to get it here, are you familiar with this place:



I plan on visiting them on my next trip to Eugene, I need less than two- 4x8 sheets, so that will leave me plenty of leftovers for other projects :thumb:...cheers, roger

 

[eugene1]

Looks like it's in "the hood", so no! J/K, I've not heard of them before, maybe they're new?

Another option is Koffler boats in Eug. I think they stock some marine ply with a fiberglass or rubberized textured finish. Have similar in my boat and it's lasted a LONG time. Couple of holes cut in it from previous owners that I don't need though. I was gonna inquire with them but ran out of time. Might be something to call about though.

 

[rogerdodger]

Thanks man, I will check what they have, planning the deck board replacement in Jan-Feb when we are on winter steel here, so time is on my side..

 

[rogerdodger]

New Years Update

New Years Update

cleared everything out of the way and removed the old deck plywood earlier this week. it was the original 12mm 5 ply fir that had served well but was a real mess.

stopped at CrossCutHardwoods (near the HomeDepot on Seneca) and got 2 sheets of Aquatek Marine plywood: 12mm 9 ply for the main deck ($93) and 6mm 5 ply for around the edges ($48) and to use for other projects on the boat or kayaks...each sheet will now get 4 coats of spar urethane (once we warm into the high 50's next week ).

port side has already been cleaned and sprayed with fresh gray paint, starboard gets that next...hoping to get everything done and back on the water by early February when they start dumping trout into the lakes here...cheers, roger

 

[Stonefish]

I always enjoy seeing folks post their boat upgrade projects and their progress.
Thank for posting your up.
SF

 

[rogerdodger]

Done!

Done!

really busy weekend: all the new wood pieces fitted, trolling motor has been relocated, all the electrical wiring is under the new decking, still some sanding and one more coat of spar varnish to be applied to the decking and trim around it. I am adding Krylon clear non-skid coating over the spar finish, it adds a layer of clear abrasive particles to the surface without covering up the wood, very impressed by it so far. Also very pleased with the 'Wazzu Grey" color that I used on the interior surfaces. I even polished up the stainless bow rails that I designed and fabricated in 1995!

still a few more Scotty mounts to re-install in several locations, the front "canine platform" is strong enough to support a person and hides under it my "get us home" 2.5hp Merc 4 stroke that used to hang OFF the back...I will be adding a nice anchor up front later this spring.

the new group22 AGM bat in the back and two group24 AGM inside the forward bench provide 200amp-hrs of electric fuel; we can troll all day on electricity.
Igloo marine cooler inside is 42" across with removable dividers so we can partition ice, bait, lunch at the start of an outing; so far just one chinook has touched both ends..:thumb:

just for reference, this is what it looked like on Jan 9th:

 

[flocaster]

Well done good sir! :worthy::worthy::worthy:

 

[billfisher]

Looks dang fishy to me!

 

[rogerdodger]

one more thing I wanted to add, we bought this Alumacraft as a new bare hull in 1995, a standard riveted boat. now, approaching 20 years of use (extensively in salt water since 2010), and including towing it from Post Falls ID to Phoenix AZ to Florence OR, the hull does not leak a drop of water and has never required any repairs. not saying every riveted aluminum boat is going to do as well but in our case, a 20 year old riveted hull is 'sound as the pound'....cheers, roger

 

[eugene1]

Very nice work, roger!

Can I check it out in person this fall.. maybe on the slaw??

 

[rogerdodger]

Very nice work, roger!

Can I check it out in person this fall.. maybe on the slaw??

absolutely, you get anywhere close to here next fall and we will get out fishing...roger

 

[eugene1]

absolutely, you get anywhere close to here next fall and we will get out fishing...roger

Right on!