1974 Chrysler Tri Hull conversion to Duck Boat (?#2)

[Duckseason]

Ok well I got her off of Craigslist last week. $400 and it came with a 1966 80 HP Evinrude on it. It fires right up I bought a new battery for her and vroom!!
But the cone on the end of the prop came off when I dunked her and well she wouldn?t go fwd or back so I don?t know what is up with that but she was very strong.

I know the floor had some bad spots didn?t know how bad until I really looked after I bought her and ripped the soaked carpet up. So I decided to rip the floor out it is almost done and I now know I have bitten into a big project but its cool my 16 yr old son is all excited to assist for the moment. I am doing photos so I know what I am replacing.

Since I am getting out of my photography hobby that just costs to much to stay in I went back to a first hobby I love, hunting. And duck hunting is one of them. I plan on converting this boat into a camouflaged boat and done up really nice.

As you will see when I post some photos I will have plenty of work to do and I couldn?t really find anything on the web about making your own duck boat out of one of these but I am up for the challenge. I have never done this before but used to do auto bodies in HS 20 yrs ago so the glass work wont be too hard for most spots but the bow is another thing.

Looks like the idiot that had it at one time hit something pretty hard and I am a bit concerned about the curved edge that goes down to the rubber trim and matching it up.

And I just found today when looking better under her belly looks like a cheap repair was made to the bend at the front of the keel, I found this out after coming outside and seeing paint chips on the driveway where it had fallen off.

So I have done some research here and on youtube and nothing looks to difficult yet, but I am not a carpenter or electrician but I will figure it out.

So the idea is to convert her, to paint her camouflaged and everything inside will be nicely done new carpet and the vinyl crap on the sides will be replaced with nicely stained and finished thin wood the dash as well. I will have one of those liftable camo covers to hide us like a traditional duck boat and blacken all the aluminum.

I was going to make a blog about the job from start to finish but I think I may start here. I have found this place to be awesome !!

Questions I have?

1.Should I remove the foam on the hull and replace them after I lay the beams down?

2.Should I seal the inside of the hull before laying the support beams down for the floor ?

3.The stupid question I think is do I have to do a gel coat on the areas I am going to fix if it is going to be painted over anyhow? I would think yes because of structural integrity but I am unsure.

4.If you have any info on the motor issues let me know that is a big concern to me because of the cost of repairs.

5.I am not looking to make this into an ice cutter but if it ok to run this thing in 30- 40 degree water in the fall / winter that isn?t frozen? I know my folks used to store ours in the winter, but that is prime season for hunting here in Virginia on lakes and on the Potomac and Rappahannock River. Yeah I sort of wanted a bass boat type but hey the guys down here don?t give them up with a trailer and a motor at a good project boat price.

Thanks in advance

I will post photos of what I am working with later to this thread.

 

[Duckseason]

1974 Chrysler Tri Hull conversion to Duck Boat (?#2)

Well since only 39 of you looked at my intro to this place last week with no questions answered I figured I would try a less winded approach. Basic points I have never seen anyone try this so why not. I will be converting my 1974 Chrysler Tri Hull to Duck Boat Camo paint and all or maybe a realtree laminate.

First, I am gutting the floor out completely foam and all

1. I do have some soft areas and other areas on the hull that need to be redone.After doing the glass patches and so on,should I seal the inside of the hull before laying the new support beams down for the floor ?

2. The bow of the boat has some nice crunch damage on the right side, is it best to cut a large pice out and replace it with a mold made from foam on the otherside. Best way to get that bumper strip off ?

3. The stupid question I think is do I have to do a gel coat on the areas I am going to fix if it is going to be painted over anyhow? I would think yes because of structural integrity but I am unsure.

4.I am not looking to make this into an ice cutter but if is it ok to run this thing in 30-40 degree water in the fall / winter that isn?t frozen? I know my folks used to store ours in the winter, but that is prime season for hunting here in Virginia on lakes and on the Potomac and Rappahannock River.

I will try to attach photos of what Iam talking about any good advice on how to fix the crunch would be greatly appreciated. I can do glass work but this may require a pro..

Ty
Brian

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1974 Chrysler Tri Hull conversion to Duck Boat (?#2)

Well if it is going to be camo'd no need for gel coat repair.

Here is a thread that relates to bow damage. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=314713&highlight=bow+damage

Yes repairing the stringers and transom should be priority..... then flotation foam followed by decking. Replace any water soaked foam.

There are many duck boat conversions (i.e. camo with reeds) out there to copy.

 

[Duckseason]

Re: 1974 Chrysler Tri Hull conversion to Duck Boat (?#2)

BOB ,

Thanks so much for the info !! that bow link really gave me some good ideas on how to fix my boat.

If you have links on boats like my tri hull type that were converted to duck boats please let me know i would be most interested...

Thank you again.