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Boat build project: perfect 12'er

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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Been working in a project lately and I'm pretty stoked on it. Got a cool little 12' aluminum semi-v boat and trailer in good shape for cheap and immediately started the tear down. The plan is pretty simple but I want to do it right from top to bottom.

The plan was thus:

Make a perfect, super clean ultralight fishing boat that can be either put in the water via trailer or carried by two people.

Flat carpeted floor. Low front platform. Simple seating for two with an open deck. Front hidden battery trays with under-floor wiring and storage for rods and tackle.

This was the boat when I found it.






Lol.


Anyways, I got it back to my shop and immediately tore it apart. I had 24' of 1"x1" square tube aluminum and up to this point I've used all of that and then some haha... Here are some pics.

Gutted



Basic floor joists cut



Welded in



Front platform basic shape




And although I didn't take any pics after I fully welded the front platform cross members, that's pretty much as she sits right now. Tomorrow I will finish fully installing the solid platform and then I'll be ready to begin plywood mock up and paint.

My front seat will be here next week at some point. Just enough, and a little storage to boot. Back seat is essentially the same thing but just a shop stool, no box.



Once she's all welded up it's on to a full pressure wash and power brushing to prep for paint. Everything is getting gloss grey heavy duty machine paint and the accents (and likely carpet) will be black. My buddy also volunteered to smooth rhino line the hull which will be sweet.

I hope to have it done in a week or two.
Apr 29 2015 7:40PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Dude thats gonna be a badass little bass assassin! You got a motor for it? If it didnt have to be shipped id give ya a deal on a trolling motor im selling but i have a feeling itd be damn near doubke the cost if the motor to ship it
Apr 29 2015 7:56PM
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Huck_Norris
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Thanks man! I do need one but I'm saving that for last. Worse case I can get a brand new one for pretty cheap but I feel like I'll score on craigslist first.

What is it anyways?
Apr 29 2015 8:14PM
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.Hugo.
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Huck_NorrisThanks man! I do need one but I'm saving that for last. Worse case I can get a brand new one for pretty cheap but I feel like I'll score on craigslist first.

What is it anyways?


The one im selling is a bow mount minnkota edge. I like the cable drives like that just because theyre more responsive and can turn on a dime. The electric foot pedals have a bit of a delay when turning, plus being electric it just gives more to go wrong haha.
Apr 29 2015 8:25PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Went Bangtown on it today and completely finished up all the major structural welding. All that's left is minor seat bracing, the battery trays and installing some piano hinges.


The rest is almost all wood and carpet, paint and foam. Pretty easy from here on out except for fitting the floor. Man, she is looking good. I can't wait to put 'er back on the water!







The largest and most rearward panel of the front platform will be the seating area as well as be on a hinge to access the battery trays and storage underneath. The middle front panel will also be a hatch to access the big & deep front section. That's why they have the extra bracing though, in case you were wondering.


Getting so jacked up to get this finished up and back out there!
Apr 30 2015 12:08PM
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Huck_Norris
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Been plugging away. Floor is finished and just needs carpet and install.



Front platform is coming together but still ends a bunch of stuff.



Also grabbed paint today. Gloss "Smoke Grey". Floors, corner brackets and all details will be black.
May 6 2015 7:54PM
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.Hugo.
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thats gonna feel so much more rewarding than fishing out of a bought boat, knowing you made that thing totally badass all on your own. Its looking legit as hell man
May 8 2015 10:32AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Fred_Bearthats gonna feel so much more rewarding than fishing out of a bought boat, knowing you made that thing totally badass all on your own. Its looking legit as hell man




Agreed on the enjoyment part and thanks for the compliment. I feel like it's going to be a killer boat but I'm completely biased. It's been a lot of work but it's going to be totally worth it.
May 8 2015 3:58PM
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soulskier
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I wish I had the skills to do anything remotely close to that, nice work
May 9 2015 8:05PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Prepped




Painted




Carpet work begins (need another seat mast hole too)




Going to work on layering the underfloor foam this morning. I love foam. Its so freakin' cool.
May 15 2015 7:18AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Floor ready with battery conduit ran




Two stages of foam, the second of which I bolted the floor down for ASAP so it would push out into the voids and reinforce the floor too. It also acts as an industrial adhesive so the boat floor is basically one piece now.




The outside is now painted as is the front platform.






So it's going to cure for two days and then it's ready to have the transom reassembled and the carpet laid. That's pretty much it. It's a boat after that. Stoked!
May 15 2015 8:42PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Carpeted




Oh tee dubs



May 30 2015 7:16AM
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.Hugo.
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yes dude thats awesome, well done. have any plans for a motor on it?
May 30 2015 4:50PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
.Hugo.yes dude thats awesome, well done. have any plans for a motor on it?


It already has a brand new trolling motor and I'll probably leave it like that. The thing fkn MOVES with it and 4hrs = ~25% battery life which is fine with me.
May 31 2015 4:33PM
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Huck_Norris
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Had to move the front foot mount to the outside to clear the gigundo battery- at least until I can box the floor up or shave the foot mount lip to fix the clearance issue and get it back hidden again.

Jun 1 2015 7:17PM
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