Another Wheelhouse Project

[SapperACE]

Well guys, here's another fish house project post. These always seem to be pretty popular.

I'm helping a buddy of mine build his first wheel house. It started out as a Miltona Blacksmith 6.6 x 12 frame. It seems to be a great frame, especially for the money. We put down a 5/8 treated plywood floor, then framed it up with 2x3's 16" on center. Next, we sheeted it with white aluminum he got through a local machine shop. The roof has a slight pitch to it each way from the center, and was then sheeted with 3/8 ply. Rubber roof went over that. Finally, he finished off the shell with trim and a big piece of shiny diomand plate on the front.

Lately he has been working on trailer lights and insulation. He has an oven stove already, and plans on a forced air furnace. Should be a really nice little house when he's done.

[Get'n Jiggy]

SWEEEEET!

[MinnGuy]

Nice.

[johns_79]

Hey guys, this is actually my house. He stopped by to take some pictures to put on here. It's been a long process, have 2 jobs so haven't had the time to work on it I thought I would. The hope is to have it fishable this winter, and if we don't get a lot of snow and cold, continue to work on it as I get/afford parts.

I've fished in 2 of SapperAce's houses, and they are very nice, so this will hopefully turn out as nice as his. Without his experience and tools, this also wouldn't be possible. I decided on a 6.6 frame by 12, because I hope to pull it easily with an ATV. Have an old Honda 300cc 4x4, so didn't think it would work to go much bigger. I'm also a novice when it comes to carpentry, to I didn't think the angles with a V-nose was something I could tackle.

I've been keeping track of my expenses, and so far have $3,800 total into it, but still have to purchase some things like a type of paneling, mattresses/cushions, carpet, and maybe some more lumber to finish cabinets. I have catch covers, a furnace, oven, and electrical components ready to install, now I just have to find a day to finish insulation so I can put all those things in. I've taken some pictures of building through the summer, but have to figure out how to get them on here.

[johns_79]

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[Get'n Jiggy]

Personally I like the size, I've been thinking along those lines myself.

I like the idea of keeping the weight down so it is easier to move. I'd

like to have a bunk/seat in the end with a fold up bunk above, the dinette

though cool, would take up too much room in a 12 footer I'm thinkin'. The

movable swivel seats seem like a great option. Great looking house, hope

to see more as you progress.

[johns_79]

No dinette here, I hate sleeping on those, and yes, I feel the house is too small for one. I am going to put bunks in the back, and the bottom one may be some kind of futon that I can pull out for extra room to sleep, but I fear it would cover 2 of the holes. I have an idea in my head, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. I will probably have a card table that folds up in there, which I got last Christmas, and maybe a few fold up chairs if there is more than me fishing. I'm also going to have to think of ways of reinforcing things with the top bunk, as I am 330 pounds and my buddy who wants to come with me a lot is also a big man.

But I do have a lot of work till I get that far, but thanks for your comments, hopefully I will like this thing a lot.

[SapperACE]

Hey Johns_79, Welcome to the site. Since you got your act together and finally became a member of this great site, I'll let you do the commentary.

keep up the good work. The ice is coming!

[MJ1657]

Did you spray foam all of the seams on the insulation?

[landscaper]

Looking good Johns_79!! Keep up the good work and the pictures!!

[Knoc]

I really like that. Perfect size if ya ask me.

[Get'n Jiggy]

No dinette here, I hate sleeping on those, and yes, I feel the house is too small for one. I am going to put bunks in the back, and the bottom one may be some kind of futon that I can pull out for extra room to sleep, but I fear it would cover 2 of the holes. I have an idea in my head, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. I will probably have a card table that folds up in there, which I got last Christmas, and maybe a few fold up chairs if there is more than me fishing. I'm also going to have to think of ways of reinforcing things with the top bunk, as I am 330 pounds and my buddy who wants to come with me a lot is also a big man.

But I do have a lot of work till I get that far, but thanks for your comments, hopefully I will like this thing a lot.

Futon idea sounds great, I'd look at trying to make a upper bunk frame

of aluminum tube, I'm sure a person could find some one to fab up one

fairly reasonable. A person sure wouldn't want it breaking down in the

middle of the night in -30.

[LindellProStaf]

Fun project. Nice work. I bet the neighbors were drooling as they watched, wishing it was theirs.