Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I was shopping for a flat bottom boat around when covid hit.

It nearly impossible to find anything under $1xk plus.

Finally found a Lowe aura 1648 in Springfield ,Il

Woke up at 4am last sat day and drove 5 hours to pick it up.

List of mods:

1. Front flat lip deck for river anchor and trolling motor
2. Paint floor with texture deck paint
3. Wiring for light , trolling motor and river anchor
4. Rear anchor roller
5. Fab jack plate for my 6hp merc (new)
6. Misc rod holders, cleats , other must have stuff

looks good, Shibs!

Need a flat front lip top of the first lip

Quote from: Crow on October 04, 2024, 10:35:47 AMlooks good, Shibs!

Thanks, the boat  :o store wanted $2k for a zinc trailer ,  :o found one locally for $400

Trailer needs:
New bunks 31 inch apart
Removal of home made side bumpers and replacement with light ones.

So you take 55 going south ? Nearly all the rest areas were closed

Nice.

Yeah, we run 55 most of the way

How long? I'm considering a small boat like that, one I can fit in my garage and not hear HOA opinions.

That one is 16 foot ,it`s the trailer tongue that can make it difficult to close the garage door ..

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on October 04, 2024, 04:12:56 PMHow long? I'm considering a small boat like that, one I can fit in my garage and not hear HOA opinions.

15'8"
Yeah that trailer is an odd one but you can swing away tongue trailer for $1600
Are is a smaller version 1448
G3 and sea ark makes it
More money but nice boats

Time go fast ,i bought a Starcraft 1648 at Starcarft marine in Aurora,Il for $425 .Boat only no trailer long long time ago .

Quote from: quang tran on October 05, 2024, 05:06:40 AMTime go fast ,i bought a Starcraft 1648 at Starcarft marine in Aurora,Il for $425 .Boat only no trailer long long time ago .

yeah, just before covid, these went for under $2k all day with zinc trailer being $800 max.

Now, $4k for hull, that is if you can find one.

nice Boat Shibs, looking forward for your 1st fishing report using the jon boat

Quote from: Gobi King on October 04, 2024, 08:08:31 PMYeah that trailer is an odd one but you can swing away tongue trailer for $1600

You can buy a folding tongue kit/hinge for it. They are around a $100. Just need to McGiever it on.

My coworker has the G3 version, great river boat.

Nice score for a $1000, couldn't touch that boat here for that.

Steve

Quote from: steelfish on October 05, 2024, 05:31:54 PMnice Boat Shibs, looking forward for your 1st fishing report using the jon boat

Thanks,

I am looking forward to fishing with it.

I need to put in new bunks in the trailer .
Picked up 2 cedar 2/4/8s, stainless steel staples and outdoor carpet
I needed 3inch ubolts
But Lowe's did not have any.

Shibby, try Mcmaster Carr for your galvanized and SS hardware. Lowe's has become useless for all kinds of things but is carrying clothing...I needed a throttle cable for a Craftsman push mower, which is their house brand, and they don't carry any sort for Briggs or other engines.

There are folding trailer tongues, aftermarket, to make a shorty conversion.

Quote from: thorhammer on October 07, 2024, 12:09:46 PMShibby, try Mcmaster Carr for your galvanized and SS hardware. Lowe's has become useless for all kinds of things but is carrying clothing...I needed a throttle cable for a Craftsman push mower, which is their house brand, and they don't carry any sort for Briggs or other engines.

Found some at the local family farm store . Bought 8 more off Amazon
Waiting for them.

Do I seal the top of the cedar 2x4 th  as t will in contact with the carpet ?

I would. How are you gonna fasten the carpet to the wood?

Quote from: Gfish on October 11, 2024, 01:05:26 AMI would. How are you gonna fasten the carpet to the wood?

Stainless steel staples

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Weldwood-32-fl-oz-Original-Contact-Cement-00272/100125525
I used this glue before and work good .May be some better glue today .Later on I screw 2 strip of plastic made it real slick very easy to slide boat up and down

Gobi the boat looks new ,16/48 is a great stable size !13 years ago I modified my 74' Sears 14/36 jon boat .My welding buddy fabricated an aluminum diamond plate trolling motor deck with storage below.I painted the deck with light gray Tuff Coat. He also made a fish finder mount, I also painted with Tuff coat. I removed the foam & made a battery hatch under the center seat. The rear seat is now on a slide to aid in navigation, I forget the name ? I shoegooed flexible conduit in the channel on the sides to route all the wiring for the onboard charger,lights,TM & fish finder. I have had to replace the seats since the mod,but the shoegoo has held for all these years & is still going strong ! It has a 75' Evinrude 9.9 HP motor. Tinboats.net is a good site for mod ideas. It pays to plan & think it through. I would do some things different such as have the TM centered & the connector on the front of the deck instead of the top .I think the FF might be better at the rear when alone & using the gas motor. I am still proud of this boat & just wanted to share some ideas I had .
 :fish caught many a fish in this ole girl !

Quote from: quang tran on October 11, 2024, 04:19:17 AMhttps://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Weldwood-32-fl-oz-Original-Contact-Cement-00272/100125525
I used this glue before and work good .May be some better glue today .Later on I screw 2 strip of plastic made it real slick very easy to slide boat up and down

gotcha, the exiting bunks have that plastic piece on top, I will reuse it.
gorilla glue works too.

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 11, 2024, 11:06:46 AMGobi the boat looks new ,16/48 is a great stable size !13 years ago I modified my 74' Sears 14/36 jon boat .My welding buddy fabricated an aluminum diamond plate trolling motor deck with storage below.I painted the deck with light gray Tuff Coat. He also made a fish finder mount, I also painted with Tuff coat. I removed the foam & made a battery hatch under the center seat. The rear seat is now on a slide to aid in navigation, I forget the name ? I shoegooed flexible conduit in the channel on the sides to route all the wiring for the onboard charger,lights,TM & fish finder. I have had to replace the seats since the mod,but the shoegoo has held for all these years & is still going strong ! It has a 75' Evinrude 9.9 HP motor. Tinboats.net is a good site for mod ideas. It pays to plan & think it through. I would do some things different such as have the TM centered & the connector on the front of the deck instead of the top .I think the FF might be better at the rear when alone & using the gas motor. I am still proud of this boat & just wanted to share some ideas I had .
 :fish caught many a fish in this ole girl !

Love the deck, I might have to put in a deck too, I received the river anchor tower and it will work better if it is up on a deck.

yeah, I read a lot on tinboats...

nice job in electrical setup, I think I will get a couple of conduit boxes to house the bus bar and switches.

Here is the river anchor tower

I installed 2-12v sockets for my led fishing lights or spotlights for night fishing.Also, 60 amp breaker for TM. You have a great boat to work with there. I look forward to seeing your upgrades.

Moved the winch mount lower and had to take off the safety chain

I have to find another  spot to bolt the safety chain

Painted the floor with rust oleum
Topside with some sand

Warning for
Pro painters
Trigger alert
8)

 Gobi, google "boat trailer ez slides" for your bunks.

That triggered my brain,the seat mount I used in the rear was called a SliderG5.I could not find a link except for FB?

https://www.facebook.com/p/SliderG5-100054567844972/

Quote from: Maxed Out on October 23, 2024, 03:52:38 PMGobi, google "boat trailer ez slides" for your bunks.

Hmm, I think previous owner had installed something like that on the bunks
I will take 'em off and reuse them

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 23, 2024, 05:51:11 PMThat triggered my brain,the seat mount I used in the rear was called a SliderG5.I could not find a link except for FB?

https://www.facebook.com/p/SliderG5-100054567844972/

Slide rails, nice
Maybe for the rear for  elcapitan

For
Grandma, it will add too much height and her feet might dangle

I am going to use throwables to seat on for now
Factory Lowe pic

Can someone suggest a surface mount horn pls
I am getting ready run wires

Quote from: Gobi King on October 23, 2024, 06:19:43 PMCan someone suggest a surface mount horn pls
I am getting ready run wires

Bought a marinco 10099 horn ,
Size wise it is pretty big

I got this 5 switch box but the switches are big and takes up a lot of space but Amazon says it water resistant (??)

I have see some
Solutions where people mount switches on bent aluminum facia.

Lol, "water resistant" and "waterproof" are world's apart. My advice is mount it in a spot where it won't get wet !! Here's a dash mounted one I found on www that actually is made for marine use and says "waterproof". Do a search for boat horn switch

Temps are slowly climbing
Back to the jon bote

I saw this on couple
Of boats online
Any idea who makes this or where I can buy one ?

I've Maxed-out my electrical stuff for a kayak. Capsizing might be a disaster. My vessel approach warning is my voice and a flashing red headlamp light. I never stop redoing/perfecting things that already exist.
The Gobie yacht is really coming together! You'll need a name for it. Keep the reports coming...

Electrical is next
Need to get this in the water.

Front lip welded on by a fab shop.
I need to rivet in the bottom
Supports for the lip

What paint do I use to paint the shiny alu do it attracts fish

Wonder bread is popular in mi

Looks great!  Get an etching primer on it as soon as possible.

Looking good, Shibs!!

Quote from: oc1 on May 12, 2025, 06:16:59 AMLooks great!  Get an etching primer on it as soon as possible.

How many coats ?

Quote from: Crow on May 12, 2025, 01:11:58 PMLooking good, Shibs!!

Thanks Crow,
I might drive it down to Mobile to fish the shallow waters someday :-)

How many rivets should i use to attach the bottom leg support ?

I used this on mine you gotta rough up that pretty aluminum though  before painting it on ,mine has been on aluminum diamond plate 20+ years.

https://www.tuffcoat.net/

Your getting there Shibs, looking good, cheers Don.

Quote from: Gobi King on May 12, 2025, 02:02:29 PMHow many rivets should i use to attach the bottom leg support ?

Pop rivets?  Since it could carry the full weight of a person bouncing in choppy water I'd worry enough to use nuts and bolts.

Once you go out and test it, you may come back with a list of adjustments and improvements. I do, about every 3 trips or so.

Quote from: Donnyboat on May 12, 2025, 07:47:50 PMYour getting there Shibs, looking good, cheers Don.

Thanks
I aim to get on water this weekend
I shall , I will
..... :d

I have to iterate,backup drain plug ;D

Quote from: oc1 on May 13, 2025, 05:57:15 AM

Quote from: Gobi King on May 12, 2025, 02:02:29 PMHow many rivets should i use to attach the bottom leg support ?

Pop rivets?  Since it could carry the full weight of a person bouncing in choppy water I'd worry enough to use nuts and bolts.

If I could balance on that narrow strip I would be performing in circ de soleil 😀

That lip is for my trolling motor
I am adding another thicker piece for support

Quote from: jgp12000 on May 13, 2025, 05:41:29 PMI have to iterate,backup drain plug ;D

No sheesh
U gots to see the drain plug , looks like a wild animal chewed it up

I need to figure hose for a bilge pump

Progress
Brought the boat back home from storage

Adding nav lights, trolling motor plate, some rod holders.

One thing I would do different on my jon boat would be to mount the
Trolling motor socket vertical, make a plate/bracket or something.
Mine is on top so water can get in there if you disconnect the TM
Connector when not in use.I have a quick mount w/lock on my trolling motor so you can use on different boats or remove it for security.

It's shaping up nicely, Shibs!!

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 22, 2025, 09:40:01 PMOne thing I would do different on my jon boat would be to mount the
Trolling motor socket vertical, make a plate/bracket or something.
Mine is on top so water can get in there if you disconnect the TM
Connector when not in use.I have a quick mount w/lock on my trolling motor so you can use on different boats or remove it for security.

Yes, the trolling motor is off my Crestliner
Both boats will be stored 50 miles from my house.
I take everything off the boat for storage.
I am adding the twist socket for the trolling motor.

Looks Professionale !

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 31, 2025, 03:06:24 PMLooks Professionale !

The top pic is off my Crestliner done at factory
The bottom is one I am
Rigging for Jon bote
 :d

Where you find the bracket or did your connector come with it?

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 31, 2025, 09:04:15 PMWhere you find the bracket or did your connector come with it?

Trailer connector plates
I have  a bunch in my stash
I have to cut a washer to reduce the hole to locking rings works