1984 14ft Bluefin project fishing boat

[mpsyamaha]

I picked up this old 14ft Bluefin vhull jon boat for a great deal. Already have a sweet little electric start Johnson 15hp to go on it sitting in my garage. Will be getting started soon on the project.

Heres how it looked when i first got it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150921_192422_zpseazqxonm.jpg

So far all ive done is stripped everything out of it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150930_165348_zpsgx2yuiaz.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150927_101600_zpsjd0whyvw.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150927_101530_zpsufuiupfr.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150927_101520_zps5zvrqf6t.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/mdpsjcars/Mobile Uploads/20150927_104101_zpstb896gag.jpg


I intend to turn it into a fishing machine, bass fishing primarily. I am looking for some guidance. I want to remove the center bench seat completely, Im assuming its structural and i will need to add support gussets of some type? I know a good welder.

Also want to make a deck to make the floor in the center of the boat flat and easier to walk/stand on. I dont think i want to go full width with the deck, so as to keep it low center of gravity. Would like to deck over the bow of the boat to make a storage compartment for a trolling motor battery and add a raised fishing seat up front. Going to get a bracket welded on the bow for a trolling motor mount. Is there anything lighter than pressure treated wood to make the decks out of? Also not a big fan of carpet, but would like a nonslip surface for the deck, suggestions?

 

[Woodonglass]

It makes things a lot easier for the members if you post the Photobucket IMG Code in your thread..

 

[jbcurt00]

Rivetted boats, IMO, should have rivetted repairs and modifications, not welded.

NEVER pressure treated wood in or on an aluminum boat, well sealed exterior grade plywood, labeled ACX or BCX. Also good choices:
Arauco
MDO
Marine Grade

Note: none of these plywoods are pressure treated, but they ALL use waterproof glue. Some use boil proof which is even better.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Rivetted boats, IMO, should have rivetted repairs and modifications, not welded.

NEVER pressure treated wood in or on an aluminum boat, well sealed exterior grade plywood, labeled ACX or BCX. Also good choices:
Arauco
MDO
Marine Grade

Note: none of these plywoods are pressure treated, but they ALL use waterproof glue. Some use boil proof which is even better.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[mpsyamaha]

Heres the pictures linked properly... maybe a mod would like to edit these into my first post?

 

[Watermann]

You can make a nice fishing boat out of your little tinny. There's a bunch of threads here of guys doing similar work on they're 14'rs. First off get rid of everything that's made of steel and is rusted. Remove any rust that's on the surface of the AL. Repairs of any leaks is another very important step.

On the bow you can use SS bolts/nuts rather than welding AL diamond plate for a trolling motor.

 

[ezmobee]

Good news is that's a nice little boat and it'll perform fantastically with that 15. Bad news is I have a very similar boat (also with a 15) and you aren't gonna want to stand up in it. See that rounded bottom? Not stable at all.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Im intending on getting it out on the water soon to see how it feels as far as stability. Im a lean 175lb and have great balance so hopefully it will be ok. If too wobbly i may just fix the boat up a little and sell it and look for a 14 wide with a flat bottom.