Well, I finally did it.

[Griflog]

After multiple opinions from everyone at iboats, I finally found my "new" boat. It is a 1981 Thunder Craft 16ft runabout. It has an 85 hp Johnson, that looks brand new under the cowling. The floors and transom are solid as a rock, and the motor has great compression. Aside from a few cosmetic issues (grab rails are missing on one side), the boat is ready for the water. It looks good sitting in the driveway, but I can't wait for the maiden voyage. Give me some feedback, but be gentle!

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

looks great congrats!
remember to take precautions with the motor for a successful maiden voyage
check the waterpump, plugs, and lower unit oil
but otherwise have fun!!
..wish my glassmaster had an open bow like that

 

[woodee148]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Looks like lots of fun,
Congratulations! and good luck!!

Woodee

 

[Griflog]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

looks great congrats!
remember to take precautions with the motor for a successful maiden voyage
check the waterpump, plugs, and lower unit oil
but otherwise have fun!!
..wish my glassmaster had an open bow like that

I had looked at several boats with a closed bow, but the flexibility of having the openess really sold me. My sons and I will be fishing alot from her, and I have seen several posts on here about building a removable platform that will fit in the bow for fishing, and taking it out for cruising. I'm definitly ready for warmer weather.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

My sons and I will be fishing alot from her, and I have seen several posts on here about building a removable platform that will fit in the bow for fishing, and taking it out for cruising.

That's what I did. Since marine plywood is kind of expensive, I took some plain 5/8" plywood and put on three coats of varnish making sure that the edges are well coated. After that dried, I bought some automobile carpet (cut loop) that was on sale and stapled it to the deck (on the bottom side) and, then got real inexpensive pedestal mount, pole and seat from Walmart. It works out great.

 

[oops!]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

perfect !

cheap on gas...reliable...an all around good boat....

one little thing....some times an open bow can be cool as the wind comes thru the hole under the walk thru windsheild...great if its a hunderd degrees outside..but not so great if its 70.....(if you havent got one with the boat)...get a little wind cover that snaps over the lower part of the walk threw.....it really helps

cheers
oops

 

[cbavier]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Griflog your new Boat Looks Great.
Congratulations! and good luck!!

I really like the Idea of the plywood platform and seat up front. I too have an open Bow and do fish a lot from the front. Me, because everyone else takes up residency in the back. The only problem with that set up is the storage under the front seats would not be accessible. I use those storage areas all the time. Both sides.

 

[Griflog]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Griflog your new Boat Looks Great.
Congratulations! and good luck!!

I really like the Idea of the plywood platform and seat up front. I too have an open Bow and do fish a lot from the front. Me, because everyone else takes up residency in the back. The only problem with that set up is the storage under the front seats would not be accessible. I use those storage areas all the time. Both sides.

I agree with the storage. If i'm with my two boys, we'll be fishing. If mom comes along, no fishing. Thus the need for the removable platform.

 

[Griflog]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

perfect !

cheap on gas...reliable...an all around good boat....

one little thing....some times an open bow can be cool as the wind comes thru the hole under the walk thru windsheild...great if its a hunderd degrees outside..but not so great if its 70.....(if you havent got one with the boat)...get a little wind cover that snaps over the lower part of the walk threw.....it really helps

cheers
oops

Hadn't thought of that, good idea! I knew there was a reason I liked this site

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

also a total bow cover is effective, especially in rough water. use the center area on the bow, for storage of life jackets when the platform is in place. i have done the removable platform i several boats.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

I love open bows. Your plan looks similar to my Marlin. Open bows are a great multipurpose platform. Fishing, skiing, sun bathing (my kids) and also good for a work boat. I used to be a marine biologist years ago and all four corners are useful on these boats and the tri-hull is very stable. A small boat with big boat room.

 

[zibzer]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Griflog your new Boat Looks Great.
Congratulations! and good luck!!

I really like the Idea of the plywood platform and seat up front. I too have an open Bow and do fish a lot from the front. Me, because everyone else takes up residency in the back. The only problem with that set up is the storage under the front seats would not be accessible. I use those storage areas all the time. Both sides.

why dont you just use the empty space under the homemmade platoform for holding stuff? I bet there would be more space there than under the seats

 

[ebry710]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Griflog your new Boat Looks Great.
Congratulations! and good luck!!

I really like the Idea of the plywood platform and seat up front. I too have an open Bow and do fish a lot from the front. Me, because everyone else takes up residency in the back. The only problem with that set up is the storage under the front seats would not be accessible. I use those storage areas all the time. Both sides.

I am doing the same with my open bow, but I am attaching a fishing base on the floor and building the platform above it in teak. That way I can put the fishing chair in while fishing and remove it for my kids to sun bath when skiing.

 

[dave11]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Very pretty well kept boat. I like the open bows too. I would take it to the (motor) dealer and have them service it. They will check it out and suggest any repairs that may not be obvious.

Then go out and ENJOY!

 

[cbavier]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

why dont you just use the empty space under the homemmade platoform for holding stuff? I bet there would be more space there than under the seats

My Boat is still in Hibernation here in Northern Michigan. I will be looking at the possibilities of a platform when it comes out of storage the 19th of April. The only thing in my mind that would cause concern is securing the storage area and reaching way back up to the front to retrieve things with an inserted platform. Now I store the Bow and Cockpit covers locked on one side and all my fishing tackle, poles and boxes locked on the other side. even on my hands and knees it would be a long reach to retrieve the covers. I'll just have to look at it and think about it when I get the boat home. I must secure these areas because the Boat is kept at a public dock three weeks out of the month from May to October.

If anybody has any suggestions. I'm all ears and an open mind.

 

[AnonymousBoater]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

perfect !

cheap on gas...reliable...an all around good boat....

one little thing....some times an open bow can be cool as the wind comes thru the hole under the walk thru windsheild...great if its a hunderd degrees outside..but not so great if its 70.....(if you havent got one with the boat)...get a little wind cover that snaps over the lower part of the walk threw.....it really helps

cheers
oops

Where can I buy said wind cover? I would love to get one, I suppose I could make it..

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Nice looking boat!
A canvas shop would be your best bet on the wind screen and a snap on bow cover.

Congrats! I would love to find a boat like that in that good of condition.
That boat should fly with that motor..

 

[cbavier]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Gary
I love your Avatar. He could be called the Shaker.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Thanks CBavier, Thats how my fishing luck usually goes... But i never give up...

 

[cbear34]

Re: Well, I finally did it.

Nice boat! Enjoy it.
Still waiting up here for all the ice to melt.
I also have an open bow and would love to make a platform for fishing, great idea.