Runabout --> Bowrider Help.

[-DannyBoy-]

I've been lurking here for quite some time. This site is a great resource and the wealth of knowledge is second to none, imo. I was just recently given an older aluminum runabout, I believe a 17 ft., make and model I'm unsure of right now as I haven't yet picked it up. My plan is to convert it to a bowrider by cutting out the lid and framing it with aluminum angle iron to restore structural integrity. It will be a pain, but I'm going to basically just cut a hole in the lid at first without cutting into the piece that holds the steering/guages/etc to help keep the boats shape, frame the deck, then cut a piece out of the middle of the part with the steering/etc for access to the deck and will be made into a dual console. Thats the plan, anyways. I've been searching the resto forum and have seen quite a few replies regarding projects similar to this done here but haven't yet found a thread that shows the process. Could anybody point me in the right direction? Maybe somebody knows of one in particular that could help?

I've done a few flatbottom restorations and they've turned out really nice. So I have some experience, just haven't tackled a v-bottom yet. I have a lot of questions but I'll save them for when I can upload some pics of the actual boat, in the next week or so. In the meantime, any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Here's a few pics of my last project. A 16 ft. flatbottom.

Out with the old...

In with the new...

The decking is all polymax board from FarmTek. Easy to work with but the amount of expansion/contraction with heat/cold is difficult to account for. Carpet doesn't like sticking to it either. Turned out pretty good tho. In all we eliminated over 400 lbs. by using aluminum and polymax and it rides several inches higher in the water now. Perfect for a fishing/duck boat combo. Looking forward to using what I learned to make my next boat even better!!

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Runabout --> Bowrider Help.

Nice work! I can't find the thread anymore, but somebody once tried to convert a fiberglass boat to bowrider, and everybody all over said not to do it. It really weakens the boat. If you're like me and determined to prove them all wrong, make sure you really strengthen that boat up the best you can! Looking forward to seeing the work.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Runabout --> Bowrider Help.

You do nice work. Boat looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Runabout --> Bowrider Help.

Check out any number of the Starcraft Super Sport threads and cut your boat up and fab some consoles similar to how those are and it should turn out pretty nice.

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Runabout --> Bowrider Help.

Thanks guys. I'm picking the boat up in the morning, so be prepared to get hammered with pics and ?'s!