sstout

I do like the sides left bare wood. That looks good. When I did my transom last year I used 3 coats of epoxy and then 2 coats of spar varnish. Then left it bare, not painted. It came out well. The plan for the sides is to have them be the same gray nautolex vinyl as the floor. The recessed pockets in the sides are going to be blue vinyl the match the color of the boat. Should look good hopefully.

Made more progress today. I finished the foam. Then used the old floor as a template to trace out the new floor. I cut the peices and test fit them. It worked really well except in the back where the original floor was rotted. I had to make my own template there. Once I got the floor fitted I removed it and got the first coat of epoxy on the bottom side. One more coat tomorrow. Sunday I'll be riveting the floor in and laying the first coat of epoxy on the top. I love the color of marine ply with epoxy over it.

Today I dodged the rain drops and lake tested the boat. The re-setting some of the loose rivets and the gluvit worked great. No leaks from any of the seams or the rivets. Just one small one from a screw through the transom from the previous owner. I sealed that this afternoon with 5200 and should be all set. I started working on the foam as well. The middle section is 2 layers of 2 inch thick board, so 4 inches total. I'm still going to wedge some more foam in around the edges. The string taped across gave me an idea of where the floor would lay so I didn't stack it too high. Hopefully tomorrow will be finishing the foam, cutting out the floor, and applying the first coat of epoxy on the bottom side of the floor. Two thumbs up for gluvit in my book.

Over the past couple weeks I got the aluminum sanded down nice, and prepped for the gluvit. With the weather being so cold it was hard to find the warm weather to do the gluvit. I applied the first coat a couple weeks ago on the one 70 degree day. I let the boat sit in the sun for about an hour to get warm, then backed it back in the garage and coated it. Then I applied the second coat last week on one of the 65 degree days. Thankfully I have a garage to work in with all the rain. Tonight I got the stringers riveted back in and test fit a scrap piece if half inch plywood. I have a couple days off work this week so I am planning in water testing it to see if it leaks at all, installing the foam, and getting the floor cut out of marine ply. Finally making some progress. Now if it would stop raining I could make some more.

I got a few more hours of work in last night. I re-riveted down the two stringers because those rivets were loose, and got some of the seams cleaned up with a wire wheel. There's still alot more prep to go before the gluvit, but it's coming along. I'm planning on using storm Gray nautolex vinyl for the floor and side panels, and blue for the recessed pockets on the sides to match the boat

There was no gas tank under the floor, they are above near the back so got lucky there. Also, all the wiring is run to the back up in the gunnels so no wiring under the floor. So, lucked out with both there. The plan for this week is to replace some rivets in the stringers that run the length of the boat to tighten then up. Then start wire wheeling and sanding the seams and rivets in prep for gluvit next weekend.

I had some more time this afternoon, so managed to get the rest of the floor and foam out. What a mess the foam was. Found 2 mouse nests near the front of the boat. The foam was wet, smelly, mouse pee infested nastiness. I never want to do that again haha. Next step is a good scrubbing for both me and the boat.

Well, I finally started the project I've been thinking about all winter. I started gutting the interior and floor of the old boat. I ripped up the carpet, and removed the side panels today. I also removed the rear section of the floor. I knew the boat has had mice under the floor from the previous owner but I didn't know the extent. Yeah, the foam was eaten and there was even a dead mouse in the foam. The plan is to get rid of the foam, gluvit the seems because they leak, new foam, new sealed floor, new vinyl on the floor and side panels, and new seats. Timeline: to be done for family vacation with it in mid July. Thank you for all of you that had the ideas on what to use for flotation foam.

me a step in the process. Sorry, I hit post too soon. Thanks for the info

That came out really nice. How did you like the shark skin mixed with epoxy? Did you just add it to the top coat of epoxy? I'm doing the floor and foam in my boat in the next couple weeks and am torn between laying vinyl flooring or going the route of a textured paint or epoxy. I planned on epoxying the floor before putting the vinyl down as one more layer of protection, so the texture would save

No, I actually replaced the cable and am using them.

I like the idea of spray foam, but how do you apply it so that any water that happens to get in the bottom of the boat for some reason still gets to the back where the bilge pump is? With the sheet foam it would sit on top of the stringers which would allow any water to flow back. I appreciate all the ideas. Certainly more choices than I first thought. Thanks

Price?

This might be a repeat of a previous thread, but what do people recommend for flotation foam under a new floor? First thing this spring, I am gutting my boat and sealing the rivets with Glu vit. Then replacing the foam, floor, and installing a completely new interior. I don't really want to use ping pong balls or pool noodles. I'd like to use actual foam if possible. Should it be closed cell, open cell, and where's the best place to get it? Thanks in advance

Fishstix, I'm interested. I think I sent you a PM. I'm somewhat new to the forum so not exactly sure of it went through. If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll post my cell. Thanks

Beautiful rig. Really makes me wish I was looking. Goodluck with the sale.

Launched out of Myers yesterday to a stiff south wind. Crossed the lake to the west side and set up. Deep roger was set at 40, and shallow rigger at 30. Both with sliders on. Started deep and worked into 40 feet of water. As soon as I got inside 50 feet I started marking alot of fish. It has seemed that all summer, even if I went fast, I caught lake trout. The goal for the day was to target everything except lake trout, hence the set high in the water column. As soon as I got to a 40 ft depth I turned to head back out, boom. Rigger starts screaming. I thought it snagged bottom but then realized it was the high rigger. Fish hit a sutton 44 down 30 over 40. 26 inches, didn't get a weight. Biggest brown I've ever caught.

I too was out this morning. Tried to target everything other than lakers. Ended up with this nice brown, coming from 30 down over 40. Same deal. Deep hook, so decided to keep it. South wind made the lake roll a little this morning

Thanks for the advice everyone. Hope to give it a shot this next weekend. Lily 2 glad you got off the water ok.

Awesome fish! I've fished cayuga hard for 2 years now and have yet to catch a rainbow. It's probably a dumb question but what is the best way to target them? Higher in the water column, faster, with smaller spoons than lakers? Any advice would be appreciated. I don't need specific lures or anything. You can keep the secrets, I just want to make sure I'm in the right ballpark. Thanks

Just seeing how much interest there would be. I would like to go larger, 19 to 20 feet. The boats a 1975 starcraft holiday 16 ft closed bow. The main motor is a 1984 mercury 60 hp and runs great. It has hydrolic tilt and trim. For the right price I'd consider letting the kicker go too. It's a 2011 tohatsu 8hp 4 stroke. Kicker motor has control king up front. The boat overall is in great shape for the year. If you saw my thread I just replaced the transom. The floors are solid. Garmin gps and fishfinder could be included as well. The trailer had new hubs and bearings last year and all lights work flawlessly. Fishing equipment will not be included. I love this boat and have landed many fish in it. Also willing to trade for larger boat if interested. This would make a great starter boat. Price: $3800 without kicker, make an offer to include kicker and Garmin. Please, no low balls. If there's no interest I will keep it and keep using it. I'd just like to go larger. Thanks.

Well, a lot of work has happened since the last post. It's done. It took another very busy weekend but it's done. The hardest part was lining the hydraulics for the trim back up with the motor. After getting everything back together, there is no doubt in my mind that it is way stronger than the old one. I am pleased with how it turned out. Ended up being in between 30 and 40 hours total and about $600 in materials. Overall I think it's a major improvement. Back to fishing next weekend!