Newbie with no previous boat experience

[Tuneman]

Hello all!

Let me start by saying how great (yet overwhelming) this forum is. I acquired a fiberglass jon boat (i think that's what it is) over a year ago. It has since sat at my brother-in-law's house outside (in Molville, Iowa). I just got it back home yesterday and am anxious to turn it into a user-friendly fishing vessel. Hoping to include a livewell, drink cooler, rod holders & storage, outboard motor, trolling motor, fish/depth finder, seating for 4 (2 children, 2 adults), storage for oars and life jackets, radio/cb, front and rear lights, front/rear anchors and anything else one would suggest to make this the ultimate fishing boat. I'm about to head outside noiw to grab several photos and measurements so that i may be able to (with your help) identify the make & model of this water craft. The boat & trailer were a steal at $50.00 cash.

So with that said, Gimme an hour and I'll be back with photos and measurements.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Hey there, that must be one BIG jonboat if you're putting all that stuff in it.

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Now I Got Photos

Re: Now I Got Photos

Okay, so like I mentioned earlier it is all fiberglass and it is 14' by 4', 3 seat benchs are at 1' height.


Here's a view from above:


There are several spots on here that need patching/fixing. I'm hoping there are some people on here kind enuff (without stomping on my dream of making this little boat intop a great fisher) to advise on the best way to go about getting her ready for some fall pike/muskie fishin'...

Patches needed: leftside (looking towards the back of the boat, is it called the transom?)


in the middle (you can see previous work has been done on this boat):


and here rightside of the transom:


Apparently I can't add anymore pix here (max 5 at a time?)

 

[Tuneman]

Re: More Photos

Re: More Photos

Okay so now to show the major damaged areas. When the boat was originally purchased it was already damaged underneath from being strapped down to the trailer too tight...


and...



here is the boat on it's transom to get a full view of the underside:



Nice eh.....

here's a closeup of the 2 worst spots: this one is on the center bench which doubles as storage or possible live well



and underside:



Next message will have the 3rd and worst hole that needs patching...

Please help....

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Final Pics of Damage & the trailer.

Re: Final Pics of Damage & the trailer.

So the worst hole yet is towards the back of the boat (almost beneath the last bench by the transom)



You can also see where previous work has also been done on the hull:



Here is what is left of the lid for the live-well in the center bench:



And finally here is the 'homemade' trailer that came with the boat:



So in a nutshell - is it worth saving? I'd love to do a job like on the hydrilla gorilla or the like - I've spent several hours reading on these forums and going thru page after page of how to's for aluminum boats..... i haven't found too many on fiberglass boats.... if someone would be kind enuff to point me in a direction or starting point... that'd be awesome.

I have been told that it does float but will take on water if it rains. I'm wondering if my 1sdt step should be to remove the 3 benches and replave the foam inside them....I seen one guy using expanding foam in the can [aka 'Great stuff'] to fill up the benches he had.

If anyone knows of a good walk-thru of where I need to start and a step by step of what I need to do to get to my goal... I'd be very appreciative.

Kindly, Tuneman!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Tuneman welcome to iboats . Let me be the first to say DONT sink alot of money into this boat make it useable and enjoy the season in it . I think at 14' it is way to small for 2 adults and 2 children even small children . plus its a jonboat and always will be . Get it in the water and have fun this summer and start saving up for even just a slightly larger runabout or bowrider . I have several boats the smallest are a 16' Starcraft that would be tight to me with 4 peaple in it and also a 14' Cutter runabout that when finished will only have 2 seats in it . Project boats are relatively cheap right now . I have picked up 4 boats this summer for $1300.00 2 of them will be fairly easy restorations the 2 I mentiond earlier . When the Fall hits project boats will be even cheaper as even the good boats go down in price off season.


Rick

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Thanks for the welcome Rick. Here I was thinkin' I could turn this into a prized fishing boat... okay worse case senario, you get the boat & trailer for $50.00. what would you do to it to make it water worthy / fun for the rest of the season? How much work would be needed in getting the holes on the bottom filled and sanded out. Also am naive to what's involved as far as licences for boat & trailer.... I know I need new wiring for the running lights as well (my brother-in-law's dog went to town on the harness for the hook up on the trailer.) While I'm rolling out questions... what size motor would be appropriate for this boat (as far as an outboard) - I'll be scouring Craig's List over the next few weeks also what size trolling motor for the front?

Again thanks for the welcome and for keeping things reel (har, har).

~Tuneman
​

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

I don't know what your local laws are for registering a boat. Some states title boats, some don't. Here in FL, a boat without a title is a planter. Call your local authorities to find out. Next up is safety equipment. Don't venture out in any boat without adequate life jackets (PFD's). Looks like you need to read up a bit on fiberglass repair. It's easy, but messy. You want to make sure the boat is sound and legal before you go any further. Then do your repairs. Rick is right- the boat isn't worth putting a ton of money into (and it's easy to do). Get it usable, enjoy it for a season, and decide if boating is for you.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

The pic's were so small it was hard for me to really see much except for that big hole. If it's possible to resize your pic's to 640x480
Why do I feel like singing jingle bells all of a sudden

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Looks like a gamefisher design that sears used to sell. Does it look like this one in this thread??? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=317761&highlight=gamefisher\

 

[Mark42]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Every time I try to post, I have an epileptic seizure...

Anyway, thats a lot of stuff to want to carry for that small boat. Even on a perfectly smooth lake on a dead still day, one false move, and your swamped!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Tuneman read up on some of the deck and stringer threads on here that will give you the basics on fiberglass repair . Lights dont bother running wire for lights you can actually buy a flashlight style Bow light and I am pretty sure the same for the stern . I wouldnt want to be out in a boat that small much after dark anywhere there was much boat traffic sooooooooo lights may be a mute point anyways. That boat could probably handle a 25HP motor but I would look for something in the range of 15HP since they tend to be pretty cheap and you wont be pulling skiers or tubers with it . I also dont know about title issues in Iowa . I would get that out of the way before I did anymore than take some dishsoap and a scotchbrite pad to it . Once you have that in order take it to the water and put it in and see if it floats if it does clean it up put a small motor on it and enjoy it for the season and start looking for a bigger boat for your familly.


Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

I will add this keep your eyes open and real steals are out there on boats . The boat in my avatar is a 14' 1960 Cutter runabout with a 959 Mercury Mark 58A 45 HP motor on it . I paid $350.00 for it and it is a very sound one owner somewhat rare boat . I wouldnt try to stick 2 adults and 2 children over 5 or 6 years old in it although it did come with 2 bench seats from the factory . Look for something at least 16' in a runabout or 15' at least in an openbow and you will have a boat that will work for your familly for several years to come and pull tubes and perhaps even skiers. The boat you currently have would be a perfect fishing vessel for 2 chubby guys with a cooler and 24 pack of adult beverages but for a familly of 4 it honestly is really small unless you happen to live in a thirdworld country where the average 2 seater scooter can carry a familly of 6 plus the familly dog and groceries . I have seen it done LOL.


Rick

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Yeah I might be a little overzealous on the extras n gadgets... i so want to a conversion tp a bass boat with a raised floor and lots of in-floor storage. Something like at this site here>>> http://www.myjonboat.com/aboutboat.htm (look for the first few photos, they were all jon boats converted to bass boats) Now isn't that a nice make-over?

Meanwhile a very crafty and inventive friend of mine who has loads of experience with epoxy, resin and fiberglass had a peak at it and was expecting it to be a lot worse. I'm hopeful that I may even have this boat testing on the water within 2 weeks..

Again I do appreciate all the info and input. Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Something like at this site here>>> http://www.myjonboat.com/images/gorillacover-04e.jpg Now isn't that a nice make-over?

Yeah that's a pretty nice rig there.

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Yeah I was thinkin' 15 hp would be sufficient. That n a trolling motor on the bow. I like the idea for the flashlights for bow n stern lighting. My handy friend also has a relative at the dmv so I'll be able to get all that info probably before the end of the day today. If the sun pokes it's head out later I may just get out there and wash it... supposed to be high 90's today. I'll also take some better pics......
"The boat you currently have would be a perfect fishing vessel for 2 chubby guys with a cooler and 24 pack of adult beverages" ..... you say that like it's a bad thing..lol. I still mayu fix it up as a personal project - just to see if i can do it..... I'll keep you all posted and maybe we'll all be surprised....
Too funny on the scooter story. and thanks again. I'll start checking 'craig's list' for a steal as we get closer to the fall. Thanks again.

~Tuneman

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

It looks similar to that one but again the bow is flat ended vs a point .... the inside looks almost identical just change the shape to be more like a jon boat (on the outside)

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

I would but unfortunately I was having sizing issues when uploading them n accidentally saved over the originals at the smallest size option in Microsoft Office Picture Manager. So when I go out to wash the boat I'll take more at the suggested size. Cheers!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

Hello Tuneman..

Welp..I hate to bump this.. but here it goes..

Your case deserves some good advise m8..

All of your patches and repairs..lightly sand with some 100 grit paper.. Smear the crap outa said repair with some cheap bondo ( make sure you really kick it hot m8..).

Then take it for a test drive.. ..

ARE YOU KIDDING ME ? .. seriously man...

You had a year .. no boat name..no pics.. A pal that has ..

"Meanwhile a very crafty and inventive friend of mine who has loads of experience with epoxy, resin and fiberglass had a peak at it and was expecting it to be a lot worse."

Ask him m8..

Your .. just..... slow it down m8.. slow down..

Lock thread ? ( kids involved and everything..).

YD.

 

[Tuneman]

Re: Newbie with no previous boat experience

So for the aid of the naive (me) what is a stringer? Is it the long protruding line along the bottom of the boat (where all the holes are on mine) ? I noticed that it has expanding foam inside the holes. My handy dandy friend says I'll need to cut that away the damaged areas and then suggested that I get feedback from experienced folk (like yourselves) on how to best repair this. My friend's experience with fiberglass is limited to door panels and wheel wells on cars. Now once I cut away the damaged area will i need to replace the strofoam thats in there (obviously if it's rotted, yes). Now I also build Halloween Props in my spare time and have about 10 cans of expanding foam as well as several shapes and thickness of construction grade insulating foam boards in different thicknesses. Also another winfall I had.... A friend of mine worked at Bomgaars for awhile and one day came by my house with these solidblocks of styrofoam ( 2' x 1' x 1') I'm sure these materials will come in handy...(I have seen them used in several different applications on a lot of the threads here). So gonna guess that I wanna stick to foam rather than wood for replacing any damaged portions underneath those holes to keep it light, right? I was reading one of the other threads about peanut butter for the stringers.... I'm sorry there's just so much info here (and I have no previous experience with boat repair - I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the info overload).