1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation)

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Interior is painted (port side is still wet so it's a bit shiny):

For the seats, my plan is to cover them with EVA foam except for plywood covers over the battery wells.

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

By the way, I think the tilt trailer is a Gator but I'm not 100% sure (titled as Homemade -- maybe a copy?) and I don't know the year. It's mainly made of round tubing, and has torsion bars. Any Gator gurus out there who can ID this?

Some parts have been lopped off:

And there is some fairly serious rusting in parts:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

I have a 1961 Gator and it has similar qualities. If yours IS a Gator it is certainly an earlier model than mine.

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Deck is in place! 3/8" EVA traction mat over aluminum sheet over construction foam.
I got the EVA mat as a 46X96" roll at Big Lots for $18.
The stuff actually seems to get grippier when it's wet.

Here was the concept:

And here is the reality:

Next up: the seats!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

I said it before, and I'll say it again, your fabrication skill and vision are superior and inspirational. GREAT WORK!!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Real nice deck!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

By the way, for anybody trying to work under flywheels on these outboards, I highly recommend picking up a strap wrench. Fine tuning the timing meant lots of on and off with the flywheel and Oh My Goodness the strap wrench made it so much easier than trying to use a ratchet strap and much healthier for the motor than wedging the flywheel with a screwdriver.

Here's the one I got -- it's got a plenty long strap to get around any wheel:
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=OTC7206

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

SPLASH DAY!

Still much to do on the boat, but decided to give it a trial run.

Installed running lights, added a bilge pump and switch panel.

I was able to fit the switch panel, ground bus, and a battery meter in this junction box

Then, installed fuel tank and motor (will add water-separating filter, but not today)


Ready to go!

Severe t-storms on tap for later today, but in the AM they are just puffs on the western horizon

Here we go:



Idled nicely at <2 mph, zipped up on plane with alacrity, and topped out at a bit over 17 mph (GPS). It's definitely stern-heavy with me, motor, and fuel in the back so it rode a bit nose-up. I didn't even think to adjust the trim on the motor (so excited just to be out on the water!), so top speed should improve when I trim it in.

Next steps:
1) Add seat tops. I'm using 1/2" ACX ply, polyurethaned & painted. Here the pieces are soaking in the poly, waiting for paint

2) add courtesy lighting

3) add bow deck, trolling motor & fishfinder

FISH!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

As always great creativity and outstanding workmanship! Keep it up!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Rear seat cover in place:

Toy surprise inside!

After going around in circles on what fasteners to use to fasten down the plywood, & whether to go out and buy exactly the right size of countersunk stainless screws, I ended up just attaching with 3/16" aluminum rivets. Much simpler & cheaper!
Holes are sealed w/ 4200.

I originally was going to paint them, but now have decided to cover them with the same EVA traction mat as the deck, using contact cement to glue the mat down. In fact, I will probably run the mat up one side, over the top, and down the other in one sheet (with strategic cuts for the hatch and the power outlets I've yet to put in).

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose

Front seat is covered, with hatch over battery well. I will ultimately have a pedestal seat over the hatch.

I also riveted aluminum sheet (white in these pics) over the gaping holes left over from the previous owner's stereo & speakers, adding cig-lighter type power outlets

Finally, added water-separating fuel filter:

Starting to look more like a boat and less like a tuna can that's had a run-in with an overzealous can opener!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Front seat: covered w/ EVA traction mat!

Getting there quickly now!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Bow deck -- installed!

1/2" ply, sealed w/ polyurethane and covered with EVA traction mat.

It rests on the very front-most little bench seat, and is attached to the second seat with 6 screws, so it can be removed in about a minute.

And here's the boat, about 90% done!

I went fishing w/ the kids last night, and launched the boat without the plug (DOH!). Fortunately, this let me know that the bilge pump I have in there is not very happy, so it will be replaced.

I also need to:

put in courtesy lights
mount the trolling motor & fish finder
add rod holders

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

LOL.... I think we've all forgotten the plug. usually only do that one once. boat looks great!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

In the phase of adding do-dads and falderal, which is pretty fun.
I'm really pleased with the way this is turning out. The open floor space is fantastic, and I love having things like outlets and lights RIGHT WHERE I WANT THEM rather than where the manufacturer put them.

I know all boat restos are eternal works in progress, but this will be ready to move to "Completed Projects" soon!

Rod holders (complete with my kids' big-game tackle):

Courtesy lights and airhorn holster:

I installed all the courtesy lights on the driver's bench seat, so they would always be shining away from him/her.

Courtesy lights on at night:

Ancient clunky fish finder:

Elastic storage for bow line:

Coming soon: tweaks to the motor

I hope everyone is out enjoying their boats!

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Oh, one more thing.

I HATE having to go in and out of the battery box. I like to have one or at most two sets of wires coming off the battery, and then all the connections etc. take place at the junction box etc.

That also means having a means of charging the battery from the outside. My charger has battery terminal clips, so I rigged up this dealie to allow charging through a cigarette lighter outlet.

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Improvements to the '76 Evinrude 9.9/15:

Stingray Jr. hydrofoil:

Added a tell tale ("Pee hole" not standard on this model). Before:

The parts:

After:

The kill button was totally corroded and nonfunctional. Replaced with this, a horn/buzzer button cannibalized from my Terry boat:

Coming soon: a lanyard kill switch.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

Very nice work, everything looks great. That is gonna be a terrific little fishing boat

I really like the idea of having the lights shining away from the operator. Little things like that mean a lot when you are trying to navigate in the dark. I will keep that in mind when I add interior lighting to my boats.

You are getting some pretty good speed with the 9.9, great little motor. It's the "fisherman" model too with the low profile design, doesn't get in the way as much when you've got a fish circling the boat when they are hooked.

Have fun with the boat!

 

[goboating]

Re: 1980 14' Lowe Superior V Restore/Repurpose -- with FDF (Frameless Deck Foundation

They say a boat is never really finished, I like what you have done so far. I also go to tinboats.net. This is for aluminum boats and the guys there do some wonderful things with aluminum.

 

[Dan955]

Would you use those speakers while fishing?
One would think the sound would deter the fish.