Ok, taking on a project. Rebuilding my boat. Pics coming

[CowboyJustin]

it's a 15.5ft flats boat with a 85 horsepower johnson. I am going to put a new floor in, put a livewell in, put a remote control spotlight on the bow for the keys, put a 1000gph bilge pump in, fuse panel, radio, lights inside the boat so you can see what the hell your doing, and a trolling motor. Plus I am going to cut the floor out, redo the stringers, rebuild the floor paint it, put nonskid down, then comes the hull, I am going to flip the boat over on the trailer, and redo the entire hull from front to back side to side, then paint it. This will be occuring soon, hoping to have it ready for the summer, to go out fishing!! If Anyone has tips/pointers please feel free to post them, or PM them to me. Also, if anyone is up to helping, let me know!

Starting on this within the next few weeks.

Here is a picture of the boat, as it is right now:

[bolo]

Sound like a huge project. Here's a tip, buy another boat. With the boat market headed south you should be able to pick up a nice used boat at a steal. Take a look at the Boston whaler montauk. They take a beating and are great for the Keys. They also hold their value.

[BigBoiFishing]

Another boat that holds its value is Paramount, I gotta a buddy thats selling one, but hes trying to recooperate what he paid for it so it might too expen$ive.

Call em up if you feel like it 305-345-9339 Tell him your a friend of Jeremiah.

its 21ft w/ a 225 johnson.

I'd stick with the project though, its a good sense of accomplishment. Especially when you start catching fish in a boat that you nursed back together. Good luck man.

[CowboyJustin]

$$$ is the issue in buying another boat....I can fix this one for around $1500 and have a good overall boat, flats, semi calm ocean, bay...keys....etc. This works wonderfully. Can't afford another boat, right now.

[BigBoiFishing]

1500? Theres your answer man, stick to it.

[bolo]

If that is the case then I recommend going to thehulltruth.com and ask for help. That is a great forum for boat freaks.

[crashmister]

CowboyJustin; You might want to price out the stuff you want to put into this. If you are planning on buying all this you may not have enough left for the repairs. I can hook you up with the electrical. Both buying and installing. But you are going to want to price everything out before you start. Just off the top of my head The list you mentioned will be around 800 to 1000 depending on quality and that is probably a low estimate. You can start with the hull redo then add components as cash allows. I think you would be much happier with the result. Check out the new LED lighting systems. They are no maintenance very low power use and don't have filaments to burn out. They are a little more expensive but cost way less in the long run. Also check for package deals they may save you some cash....

[grafikdragonz]

If you need physical help with, holding, cleaning sanding...etc i can help a few hours on the weekend. Im not a pro with boats, but if you need an extra person to help out with anything just pm me! Im located in N Miami but i lived in Hollywood for years. I used to have a boat in NJ years ago, an old tri hull mckee craft.

[gotants?]

Having done many boats myself (never again) I'd nix painting the hull. Maybe wetsand it and buff it out, but nothing beats gelcoat.

What kind of trolling motor (24v, salt-water, hand held or foot remote)?

I also recommend having a removable live well on a boat that size. there will be times you won't need it.

Good luck, it's hard work and fun, but not at my age. (where's my Geritol?)

[fishnfool73]

Friends with boats are priceless. I much prefer to them to having my own boat again . Find a friend with a boat and save your money .

[CowboyJustin]

Friends with boats are priceless. I much prefer to them to having my own boat again . Find a friend with a boat and save your money .

Only problem with that is...I like to move around till I find the fish...and not sit in one spot, and other boat owners get aggervated when you say lets move...or this aint the same spot...or whatever the case may be, so it's just better to redo my own boat and then I can go wherever I want, within reason.

[CowboyJustin]

Having done many boats myself (never again) I'd nix painting the hull. Maybe wetsand it and buff it out, but nothing beats gelcoat.

What kind of trolling motor (24v, salt-water, hand held or foot remote)?

I also recommend having a removable live well on a boat that size. there will be times you won't need it.

Good luck, it's hard work and fun, but not at my age. (where's my Geritol?)

I am not to sure about the trolling motor, I have a pole, I may just stick with the pole. But if I do go with a trolling motor, foot remote saltwater. As for the livewell, the boat already has 2 "boxes" under the seats, for either storage or livewell, so they are built in.

[fishnfool73]

Friends with boats are priceless. I much prefer to them to having my own boat again . Find a friend with a boat and save your money .

Only problem with that is...I like to move around till I find the fish...and not sit in one spot, and other boat owners get aggervated when you say lets move...or this aint the same spot...or whatever the case may be, so it's just better to redo my own boat and then I can go wherever I want, within reason.

That is why I fish with like minded people.

[CowboyJustin]

Friends with boats are priceless. I much prefer to them to having my own boat again . Find a friend with a boat and save your money .

Only problem with that is...I like to move around till I find the fish...and not sit in one spot, and other boat owners get aggervated when you say lets move...or this aint the same spot...or whatever the case may be, so it's just better to redo my own boat and then I can go wherever I want, within reason.

That is why I fish with like minded people.

if you find someone like that, let me know OTHER THEN A PARTY BOAT...I'm so over party boats it's sickening.

[fishnfool73]

I have many of them. I like the novice boater that is happy to just let me ''run'' the trip and are happy to just be on the water. We have an understanding of how the trip will be run before we get in the water . On the water you have to be fluid to cash in sometimes when your first game plan or two fails you .

[CowboyJustin]

I know I'm not much of a people person and I tend to piss alot of people off, so it's hard for me to find people like that lol. I am working on the pissing people off part. Lifes to short to be such an ass, and its not worth having more enemies then friends.

[fishnfool73]

You not a people person NO !!!!!!!!! Neither am I .

[CowboyJustin]

time to change that on my end I've made to many enemies

[fishnfool73]

Best of luck to you in you quest for personal betterment.

[CowboyJustin]

thanks

[bolo]

I know I'm not much of a people person and I tend to piss alot of people off

Get out here. I never notice that from you.

[bolo]

So I guess Fishnfool is no longer on your dead list?

[FlyFishin321]

Im actually thinking of redo-ing a jonboat so that it has a casting deck along with a few other things.. hope you can post pics of your progress so we can follow along and sit in our chairs while we see your blood sweat and tears.

[bolo]

I think building a deck on your jon boat is a lot easier then him rebuilding his boat.

[FlyFishin321]

Not rly.. im thinking about doing alot of the same stuff he is.. just a different way to build it.

[CowboyJustin]

I will be at the flea market this weekend shopping for items for my rebuild wonder if they will have used trailers there

[CowboyJustin]

So I guess Fishnfool is no longer on your dead list?

i have revise it greatly...as stated before....life is to short to be a jerk all the time...its gonna take some effort...but i will do it

[CowboyJustin]

i would check the bargain trader and craig's list for trailers

very true