1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

[herefishy]

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Hi,

I'm new to iboats, but this forum has been useful for me in selecting the decking for my current remodel of My Lakesport. I selected the Nautalex Shark Grey product, and ordered 9 yards of the 72" wide decking and 2 quarts of the recommended adhesive.

I have remodeled my Lakesport several times over the past 15 years that I have owned it. Currently I have replaced all plywood deck with 3/16" marine grade aluminum, and in place of the hinged plywood cutouts for hatch covers, I employed plastic slam hatches. I had removed the starboard aft mid-ship sport cockpit console, and installed a Todd center console toward the fore of the cockpit area, several years ago. The boat always seems heavy aft, with fuel tank and dual batteries under the aft deck, so moving the steering forward helps for skinny water navigation.

The need for my current remodel is the condition of the (15-year-old) carpet in the lower cockpit area, and the total tear-down and remodel is expedited by the failure of the ignition switch assembly.

After browsing this site for a couple of days, and in consideration of the help that I received from the content here and as such the contributors, I decided I would contribute in return to anyone who may benefit from observing my project.

I've attached a photo of "Earlene's New Oven", to also introduce you to my boat. The photo is circa 2007, and though fitted with the center console - is still fitted with plywood decks.



For comparison - the photo below is what the boat was from the factory (1997)



Anyway, again I just wanted to introduce myself. I post current pics and project plans asap, and perhaps I will benefit more with input from this community.

Cheers!

...fishy

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

Welcome herefishy. That looks like a great river fishing rig. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

Thanks, ezmobee.

We primarily fish the flats and bays around Rockport, TX.


Fishy

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

I picked up some 1-1/8" aluminum tubing this evening, and took it to my welding buddy. Tomorrow we will be installing a rail around the perimeter of the hull. This is my desire, in order to facilitate rod holders, resting feet on the fore and aft decks while fishing, and general utility for managing anchorage, drift anchors, docking, lighting, and future accessories.

I also have in my shop some 3/16" aluminum in which to fabricate a custom steering console - I have an artistic rendition of what I aim to accomplish:



Also, while at my buddy's shop - I took a few more "before" pics:



Cheers!

Fishy

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

We got the rails done on Earlene's New Oven.

I'm assembling the build video now, but here are the finish pics:

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

This morning I fabricated the pedestal for my console. It is 3/16" aluminum. the new pedestal should free 2 - 3 feet of deck space, which on this boat is real gain!

 

[erwinner]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

I like your modifications to your bay boat! The smaller console really will free up a lot of useful room it looks like.
On a side note, my great grandfather bought 2 corner lots in old Rockport in the 40s and the family's been going there ever since. They've got 3 nice houses in Key Allegro now and I like to spend as much time down there as I can.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

My grandfather bought three lots in Copano Village in the late 50's I suppose, by the airport on the Copano Bay side of the Penninsula. My family moved onto that property in about '78 and my parents still live there. I'm down there always - I'm in Austin.

Thanks for the "Hello"!

'Fishy

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

I bent some more metal after work, today. I've had my 8' brake for fifteen years, and never pretzeled anything in it that I couldn't get out - until today. I learned how to take the brake apart to remove it.,

I didn't have the pedestal to the console at the shop when I bent the upper portion - so the angles didn't come out as planned. I had an error in my drawing and mixed the scales, but the solution was simple, and actually beneficial for deck space - I'll explain later in the project.

Anyway, I couldn't wait to post the results, so I got some pics out on the back patio. The upper portion may be offset on the pedestal - I'll make that decision later:

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

I removed the old console, and set the new (uncompleted) assembly for a look-see. You can observe the difference in the footprint from the old Todd console.

Cheers!

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

My original plan was to offset the console up front, as opposed to centered as in the previous picks. I think this opens up more of the small deck. I think I'll stick with my original plan.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

My Nautalex vinyl got in today. I mis-calced my adhesive (88), I'll need to order more.

Since Kirk showed me how to weld aluminum, I broke out my rig, replaced the broken nozzle on my torch, and secured the console to my pedestal. Not bad for my first aluminum weld, IMO.

I laid out the wheel and instruments on the console.

Moving right along, I'd say.

Cheers!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

You're doing some good looking work on that boat!

If that's the Storm Gray Nautolex, it's the same color I just put in my boat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=509163

It took 30 linear feet of the 6' wide to do my 17' deep V, with very little scrap/waste left over.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

Thanks, jigngrub. I went through your thread previously. I hope I can get near the quality of job that you put into your boat! The vinyl I got, I believe is the same - Nautalex "Shark Grey".

I took a few hours this afternoon, and got the decks out. I have some broken welds on the hull supports/crossmember thingies - maybe I should repair these welds.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel

I'm wondering - when re-installing my deck, should I use RIVETS? or some low-profile screw?

With the crapeting - it didn't make much difference, cause the fastener would be covered/embedded in the crapet. With the vinyl of course, the fastener will be much more evident.

Any thoughts?

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX IS STUCK!

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX IS STUCK!

My dern teleflex is stuck in the outboard chasis.

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

Ah! I talked to my boat mechanic, he said, "yeah, jut tap, tap, tap, tap it out. NOT!!!!

I've had history of the teleflex sticking - ya'know... the night before the fishing trip, out in the back yard. Whacking away with a sledge and 2x4! Whakcing away until my steering frees.

Well, since I'm relocating my console, I decided I need a couple of more feet of cable for the new location. I'll replace the tilt tube on the motor, AND the longer teleflex that is required.

Mischeif Managed!!

OH! and I decided to go with 3/8" aluminum rivets with truss (broad) heads.

Fishy

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

This morning I headed into the shop to work on the boat. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but the boat knew.

Ended up, I took just about everything from the hull: motor, batteries, fuel tank - everything. I found about 6 holes in the bottom of the hull, and I inventoried the broken welds in the bottom of the boat cross members. I was considering not pursuing this anymore. :facepalm:

But I pulled the boat off the trailer and started welding. The holes in the bottom couldn't be filled - probably had something to do the flotation gassing out during welding, so I just cut some patches out of 16ga aluminum and welded over the holes (to good metal). I ain't laying laying dimes with that TIG torch, but my last welds (the two last patches) I wasn't inclined to grind.

While I was cleaning up, someone walked up to me and asked, "Are you a welder?". I said, "I own a welder". We concluded I was lucky.

Anyway, I wasn't planning to go this far with this remodel, but here I am. I'd say it's all reconstruction from here.

Cheers!

Fishy

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

Re: 1997 Lakesport 17' remodel - TELEFLEX resolved

Today, I welded the sides onto my console, and mounted the helm. I laid out the cut-outs for the gauges, I just gotta' check my holesaw inventory.

No pics, today... just thought I'd update the thread.

Cheers!

Fishy