1986 18' Super Sport

[jtaggart]

Picked up a new to me Super Sport last night. Got the boat for a song and a dance so I figured why not. Its stripped down to bare hull, the guy threw in a side console and an old 115 Evinrude with it. Its going to need a transom for sure. I think my plan is going to be tackle the transom, this will be my first time doing a transom, then work on wiring, and layout. Wanting to do a rear side console, eventually converting to a 4-stroke 90-115hp. The boat is going to be used for walleye and perch during the summers and near shore duck hunting on the great lakes and larger inland lakes in Michigan.

 

[cyclops222]

Looks good enough to me. Some closed cell foam between the floor beams. Sheets of Exterior plywood. Will the finished boat be stored indoors? Or left outside to rot ?
Were are all the seats with the floatation foam under them ?

 

[jtaggart]

The boat will be indoors during the offseason and outside, covered, during season.

I dont know about the seats as I got it already stripped.

 

[cyclops222]

You MUST MUST get an install those seats !! They have ALL the foam flotation molded under them. Those seats ALSO keep the hull sides from FOLDING into the boat. GET THEM !!!

 

[IslandExplorer]

FWIW my Supersport 16 had flotation only under the floors. None under the bow seats (they were storage) or the cockpit seats (pedestal stbd and a back to back seat to port with batteries). I replaced it all myself when I had the floor out so knew it was back to 100%. I had the boat flooded one time with full gear like extra anchors etc., 70 hp outboard, and 15hp kicker and it did not sink. Hardly took any water on the floor at all, just in rear. Hull was torn right open and scooping water as I cruised in to port. I think the floor flotation, if actually fully intact (no huge canyon voids from prior owner gas spills lol) is completely sufficient. That bow seating area does add a lot of structure to that area and would be best to restore if you can. Even when not used as seating- it is a great raised casting deck and ample storage space. They're great boats, best of luck with it!

 

[jtaggart]

FWIW my Supersport 16 had flotation only under the floors. None under the bow seats (they were storage) or the cockpit seats (pedestal stbd and a back to back seat to port with batteries). I replaced it all myself when I had the floor out so knew it was back to 100%. I had the boat flooded one time with full gear like extra anchors etc., 70 hp outboard, and 15hp kicker and it did not sink. Hardly took any water on the floor at all, just in rear. Hull was torn right open and scooping water as I cruised in to port. I think the floor flotation, if actually fully intact (no huge canyon voids from prior owner gas spills lol) is completely sufficient. That bow seating area does add a lot of structure to that area and would be best to restore if you can. Even when not used as seating- it is a great raised casting deck and ample storage space. They're great boats, best of luck with it!

A casting deck wouldnt be bad if I need to have something for structural support.

 

[BWR1953]

I made some "L" brackets for braces on my Kingfisher. I'm out now, but I'll dig around for pix when I get home

 

[IslandExplorer]

I still have the original aluminum bulkhead structure from my Supersport that created the bow rider seating/platform. Guess I just couldn't let that fine looking structural piece go.. I actually drilled the rivets and removed it before the stricken hull went to the scrapper. If you want pics and measurements of it to aid in fabbing one up yoursrlf I can send em to ya, just let me know.

 

[Moserkr]

Nice boat you got there! I wanted a fishing/duck hunting boat, and my wife got a nice lake boat that I can fish out of still lol. Looking forward to what you do to her and the platform you are starting with is perfect for your goals. Replace the transom, check/seal leaky rivets, reinforce the hull if needed, new floor, off you go! Add a camo paint job I hope??

 

[jtaggart]

I still have the original aluminum bulkhead structure from my Supersport that created the bow rider seating/platform. Guess I just couldn't let that fine looking structural piece go.. I actually drilled the rivets and removed it before the stricken hull went to the scrapper. If you want pics and measurements of it to aid in fabbing one up yoursrlf I can send em to ya, just let me know.

Pictures would be wonderful.

 

[IslandExplorer]

Pictures would be wonderful.

Here ya go. Took a little to find it. Sorry for the cammo green on green background.. I can measure it if you think it'll help. Those angled outside edges were riveted right through the hull. The bottom flanges were on top of and riveted to the 1/2 plywood deck, the top had matching 1/2" ply to make the seating/platform. When it's all together it is super rigid and surprisingly strong. Mine had a nice tall swiveling fishing chair mounted center front above this structure, in middle of bow area. I could pivot around freely and also prop my feet up on the gunnels when desired. Was very ergonomic I thought.