homemade boat?

[andrewcoon]

Hey guys has anybody ever taken an old version hull from like the 60s and removed the cap and created their own cap?? I was thinking of creating a bass boat cap to convert an old 60s boat to a bass boat. Just curious! Thanks guys

 

[jbcurt00]

Sleeper6 did it and did it really well but his was more of a conversion to fishing boat. You'll likely end up somewhere similar. Most 60's runabouts aren't the wide flat platform that a bass boat typically looks like. But yes, convert a thrashed runabout to a fishing boat has been done. Several times. Center consoles, single side consoles and no console (tiller steer) have all been done. But dig around, any 'glass work Topics could have helpful info in them. Do you already have a boat you plan to convert or are you currently shopping for 1? Boats w/ out trailers & working outboards will be the most expensive to rehab. If you plan to completely gut it and start over w/ a blank slate, look for good lower hulls, motors and trailers. It's all just add on's from there.

GT1M is retro fitting his own custom designed layout to an 80's bass boat and will have lots of useful info too

Good luck and post up some pix of the boat you plan to convert.

 

[IUPapabear]

When I get to it I will be converting my 1979 Terry Sun-Sport cap to a bass boat cap. If I ever get the transom, stringers, deck and hull finished...
Winter came quick here and put a halt to my work as I do not have heat in my shop. Trying to find a reasonable heater, but I have several problems. Only the ceiling has insulation, I have a 16' ceiling, and I need to use a propane heater that is safe indoors.

 

[Woodonglass]

When I retire, my plan is to take a Glass hull from the 60's and remove the cap and replace it with a wood top. A Hull is a Hull once the cap is off as long as you pay attention basic structural design principles you can pretty much redesign the cap as you wish.

 

[gm280]

Actually It sounds very plausible and interesting. I don't see any problems but only challenges in the design. As long as your new designed cap fits back on the lower haul section, go for it... And make sure you do post lots and lots of pictures. Write up are great and well needed to make points and construction methods, but pictures seals the concept perfectly... I'll be watching for sure! :thumb:

 

[andrewcoon]

I just might have to do it! Thanks guys!!

 

[andrewcoon]

No Title

 

[gm280]

Okay, I know we all want pictures, but I'm a little older now and the first pictures you posted I can't even see. So post some LARGER pictures for folks like me that have some aging eyes now... :facepalm:

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmmm...Yeah, I have to agree you're gunna need to use Photobucket to enlarge the pics. Use the IMG Code to copy and paste your pics directly into iBoats.

 

[andrewcoon]

My apologies one moment

 

[andrewcoon]

No Title

 

[jbcurt00]

I suspect those are priced DRASTICALLY different. But w either you could accomplish what you want..

The hardtop older boat will be more work to dismantle but is likely straight forward transom, stringers and deck but w what appears to be a vintage outboard.

The center console may be more complicated to take apart and put back. Many are done w a one piece liner that is from gunwale down across the deck and up the other side. Once its in place they are often injection foam filled, no typical deck or stringers. It has a much newer outboard and the price is likely much higher then the other boat.

 

[andrewcoon]

I want to convert the hardtop to the center console

 

[andrewcoon]

Now I have a question for the boat builders, is gel coat aplied like a paint? Do I simply paint it over fiberglass? I'm thinking if I do build this all my decks and consoles will be wood fiberglassed, do I just buy gel coat and paint it on??? Thanks guys

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmmm... Yes and No!! Gelcoat is NOT like paint but it does go over fiberglassed wood and you Can paint it on. There's a lot more detail to it's application. It's a polyester based resin product. It sets up much like fiberglass resin. you have to apply it to the thickness required (20 mils) And then the work begins. Lots of sanding, buffing and polishing to get it to it's final state. It's really not much like painting.

 

[jbcurt00]

I want to convert the hardtop to the center console

That ^^^ could be done, to a degree. Be aware that a narrower beam boat may not adapt to a center console as well as you'd like. Many settle on a single side console (no passenger seat/console/windshield.

Look thru Sleeper6's Topic I linked earlier. He converted a smallish older closed bow runabout into a GREAT boat, IIRC, it's a single side console now. Decks, in deck storage, live wells and pedestal seats.

 

[andrewcoon]

Sleeper6's is amazing! ! I stand amazed at his work. I just think the center console would be easier haha

 

[jbcurt00]

I just think the center console would be easier haha

If the boat's only 48-60" wide across the deck (sole/floor, which is common on 60-72" beam boats) having a functional 24" wide center console may make the boat feel cramped and crowded, esp w/ more then 1 person aboard moving around.

Until you get a boat and measure the proposed layout, it's often hard to 'see' that ^^^, but smaller center consoles have been done.

 

[jammyduff]

Yes , I have tried the boat at home . Currently, my home remodelling is going on and my structural engineer has also remodelled my 60's boat with brass. The boat looks awesome with latest design and it has changed .