Help me redesign my boat

[Brian Hall]

It is a 1973 Lone star that was my grandads. Has an 85 horse Evinrude from the same year on it.<br /><br />Originally it had the back to back seats on boat sides. I would like to put a captains chair on at least the drivers side so I will have better visability. I am really nervous about cutting into the floor though. In one pic I show that there is about five inches of floor rise at the back of the boat. I was also thinking about adding an in floor gas tank if I am going to have to get into the floor anyway.<br /><br />I could fit a 19 gallon tank in the front between the two chrome supports and the raised storage area in front of the wheel. It originally had 6 six gallon tanks. One under each seat and one in the bilge area. The battery is in the bilge area as well and makes for too much weight in the back.<br /><br />I am planning on adding a fishing seat base and hatch top to the front deck (might put in an insert tub and make it a live well) It has a live well in back so that is not a huge concern.<br /><br />Let me know what you think.....<br /><br />Let me know if you have any problems viewing the pics.<br /><br /> http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287194869&idx=6 <br /><br />Thanks<br />Brian Hall

 

[cuzner]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Hello Brian, can't help much with re-desgning, But I think I saw the same boat on e-bay last nite,might help if you need parts<br /><br /> jim

 

[JB]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Moving to Project Boats.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Use a hole saw and cut a 3" hole in the floor. You might be pleasantly supprised to find it's got a good foam core under there. <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Brian Hall]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Hooty, What do I do with that hole when I find out what is underneath I thought about getting one of those round covers that are on most other boats these days but I want something that will be waterproof. I don't want to have the wood underneath rot out.<br /><br />Walking around on the floor it sounds hollow in most spots except up front where the support bars come down and are rivited to the floor.<br /><br />Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[TomMcKinney]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Depends on what you want to use it for.<br /><br />If you keep the rear live well and use it, I would add an above deck fuel tank of the same size in gallons opposite for balance.<br /><br />I would not go under floor with a tank unless I had to. I would mount an icechest/fishbox parralel to and on the longitudinal center line.<br /><br />I would mount pedastal fishing/helm chairs up front. Use the stainless steal toggle bolts that are made for such installations and you should be fine-<br /><br />What is the floor made out of? is it plywood? how thick? How much fuel do you want to carry? what electric stuff will you run (bait pump, bilge pump, radio?)

 

[Brian Hall]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

I will be using the boat for skiing/tubing and fishing for sandbass/stripers, catfish and crappie. I use the live well for storage when not fishing.<br /><br />I will add the two captains chairs that you suggest and am leaning now to using the marine coolers with cushions for other seats. Two or three should do it. I need to measure and see.<br /><br />Will these toggle bolts fit through the holes in the seat bases? I think they use #10 screws.<br /><br />For this year I will just be using running lights, a spot light,bilge pump and maybe a radio. I may add a trolling motor next year but can't decide if I want a bow or transom mount. I don't think I want to destroy the bow rail to put in a TM.<br /><br />I need to add some weight to the front of the boat. Would you be more inclined to move the battery or the gas tank to the bow? If I move the gas tank I would like to cover it and add a step or two to get up on the deck.<br /><br />I think 20 gallons would be plenty for a days outing. I could always carry a spare or two if needed.<br /><br />I think the floor is plywood but can't be sure unless I cut into it. I may drill out on of the existing holes from the seat screws tomorrow and see what I can find out.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

I think it's important to find out if there's plywood in your floor; I suspect there is, and I suspect you'll find it's probably rotted (maybe the pictures make it look worse than it really is). Replacing a couple hundred pounds of wet plywood might do wonders for the boat's trim. <br /><br />I had a similar situation on a similar (different brand) boat: ended up completly cutting out the old floor and replacing it with exterior plywood soaked in West system. Before reinstalling the floor, I put in tanks, new steering cables and wiring conduit (alas...long before digital cameras!).<br /><br />In any case, when fixing up old boats, prepare for the worst, then you're happy when it's not as bad as you thought!

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Weight distribution can get real tricky. Keep a couple things in mind. Battery weight is constant, fuel tank weight is not. I try to center my fuel tank/s as much as possible either in the middle of the boat bow to stern or port to starboard. My "84" starcraft has a livewell that must have been designed by an idiot. It is part of the drivers seat. When boating alone I can't fill it because it causes the boat to list about 10 degrees. Essentially my trolling batteries are slightly off center in the forward 1/3rd of the boat. The 12 gal fuel tank is slightly off center toward the stern with my oil tank in a compartment on one side of it and my starting battery in a compartment on the other side. Everything seems pretty well ballanced whether i'm alone or with passengers.Now if I weighed #300 instead of #140 I would probably have to make some adjustments. The best thing to do is load up and drive around on the water moving things around till you find the best ballance for your boat then work on the permanent placement of those items.

 

[Brian Hall]

Re: Help me redesign my boat

Just to give you a little background. The boat has been garage kept for 30 years and only taken out when someone went down the house on the coast. It was probably used 10 to 15 weekends a year over that period.<br /><br />I am going to crack open the floor in a few days and see what is going on under there. <br /><br />Thanks for all the advice.