My Winter Project - Boat overhaul

[Lowblazah]

I just bought my 88 Alumacraft 17' in the spring of 07...I got it relatively cheap considering its a console setup with a strong running 70hp and 2 livewells. Well after discovering the billions of issues it had its no wonder it was priced the way it was. After using it alot this summer I thought this winter I would r&r the interior, which would eliminate the many problems with it (ie...the completely rotten floor boards from front to back) and while I'm at it, I'd reconfigure the seating to accomodate more than two people fishing out of it.

I was talking to my uncle about this project and he said I should explore the option of putting aluminum down instead of plywood. (Save on weight, never will rot again)

So I started pricing out aluminum. Discount Steel in Mpls, MN was by far the most cost effective place to buy it from. I ended up buying 3 - 5x6 sheets of .090. ($300 worth)

So I started tear down and gutting...

While I had all the old carpet out I also decided to repaint the interior and replace all the carpet to make it look a little newer

Now that the painting and the carpet has been reinstalled on the sidewalls, I cut the floor panels, temporarily set them where they will go so I can start laying out the seat and hatch locations (Storage and livewells)

This is as far as I have gotten thus far...I'll add more as I accomplish more.

[Black_Bay]

If you haven't already got the carpet for the floor I'd suggest using vinyl instead. A lot of guys really like it because it cleans up so well and doesn't hold water.

Looks great so far.

[Lowblazah]

Like vinyl flooring? wouldnt that get real slick when wet?

Thats a good idea, I do already have the carpet tho, so I will be sticking with that.

[polarsusd81]

Lowblazah,

Looks like you have done a pretty good job on it so far. can't wait to see what it looks like once it is all finished up. Did you happen to rivit the aluminum down or use screws? Also, did you use any kind of sealant between the stringers and the sheeting or just throw it down and fasten it up? I really am impressed with the way it turned out and would probably be interested in doing something like that to mine in the future. I need to make a couple rod boxes for mine and I think if I could find the right sheet of aluminum, I would just use that for the sides of the box and a couple pieces of ply for the lids.

[Black_Bay]

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Like vinyl flooring? wouldnt that get real slick when wet?

Thats a good idea, I do already have the carpet tho, so I will be sticking with that.

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Not linoleum but marine vinyl. It's a popular option in boats these days. Apparently it's not very slippery unless you're in freezing weather. Since you have the carpet it wouldn't be worth it to change. I enjoy projects like that. I hope you're having fun.

[Lowblazah]

its all just laying in there...havent fastened anything yet. No, i wasn't planning on using a sealant either...do you recommend one?

I'm planning on using rivets. Lots of them...I have a pneumatic rivet gun I got last year so it should go quickly

I am having a hard time deciding how to mount my seat bases...I'm a big guy and so are my friends so I need to make sure they are on TIGHT. Any suggestions?

[VMS]

Have you stood on the aluminum yet? Doe it give at all under your feet? My concern would be after time, that aluminum will give a bit, and you will have low spots on the floor. wondering if some sort of reinforcement on the aluminum between the main floor supports of the boat would be a good idea...

So far looks good though...

Steve

[Lowblazah]

yes I have...the only place of question is on the side edges. I am going to mount some brackets along there that should remedy that. Other than that it was all very solid, i was surprised how strong it was for not even being fastened yet.

[hanson]

I can't believe how much that boat looks like mine!

Are you removing the rear casting deck from the boat?

Where are you going to use the boat primarily? Is this going to be on the Minnesota quite abit?

I would have no problem installing carpet, even in a muddy environment such as the MN River. Another option would be a good spray-in truck bedliner for the floor.

[DTro]

I would second the marine vinyl. I know guys that have a hybrid of both, and wish that the entire boat had the vinyl and not the carpet.

[polarsusd81]

Sealant wouldn't be neccesary, but I was kinda curious as to whether it squeeks or not? Depending on the quantity of rivits, it shouldn't be a problem, and it sounds like you are going to do plenty.

The only reason I would think of laying down a small bead of sealant is squeek prevention, but then a thin layer of foam tape on the stringers would accomplish the same thing. Just an idea to think about for the long haul.

[Larry FlatCaster]

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Sealant wouldn't be necessary, but I was kinda curious as to whether it squeaks or not? Depending on the quantity of rivets, it shouldn't be a problem, and it sounds like you are going to do plenty.

The only reason I would think of laying down a small bead of sealant is squeak prevention, but then a thin layer of foam tape on the stringers would accomplish the same thing. Just an idea to think about for the long haul.

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I second that... I did that with my decking when I replaced mine last winter. I think in the long run it reduces the possibility of clapping if the rivets or screws and flooring should ever loosen up.

Very nice work on the project Mate!!! Make sure to be generous with the adhesive when it comes time to putting carpet down.

Also be prepared for the possibility of having to do some counter balancing on the ballast if you rearrange the seating, the possiblity will be there with going to a much lighter flooring. I had to add extra weight to my port side so I wouldn't list. I also removed my casting platform from the stern. Made for much more room and a better and more stable seating arrangement.

I have more info that I can share with you. I can't recall if we discussed the topic on our cliff jumping adventures this last summer

Keep us posted on how she progresses.

thanks

LFC

[BoxMN]

Very nice job so far! It looks great. We did a similar thing to our 82 Classic 16. Here is a link to pics. I put a step by step post somewhere here earlier to how we did ours. We actually took out rod locker and livewell to make more room for decoy bags, etc.

Classic 16 rehab

We did Dat (replace a with o) Deco brand vinyl and it is great stuff, not slippery at all, and we use our mainly for duck hunting with mud sand and ice.

You mentioned seat bases. We added extra bracing (see pics) and also did around the seat bases as well. Well, we had one seat pull out this year, and we used 6 big SS screws that went through 5/8" plywood and into the alum bracing. Granted, it was kinda a freak thing, as a big guy leaned against it when hit obstruction in river backwater, but it did partially pull out, so make sure to mark well so that you will hit bracing and I might even suggest drilling extra holes and using more fasteners.

Keep taking pics! It looks great so far!

edit - make sure to put adequate drains in the floor near the rear. We did put what we thought was enough, but we have already drilled out some larger holes. We used a "rail" system that essentially is a drain that goes from side to side where the floor hits the back deck, but we had to make our holes bigger. You won't always need a big drain, but that one time you do, you really do

[swamptiger]

Looks great!

I also would put marine vinyl down on the floor - easier to clean and probably will last longer. Make sure you use a high temperature adhesive - I think the marine grade adhesive is a neoprene base. I would use a butyl rubber sealant on the braces - this would help eliminate rattles if any of the rivets loosen.

[Lowblazah]

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a thin layer of foam tape on the stringers would accomplish the same thing.

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Good call...where do I get foam tape?

[Lowblazah]

BoxMN I have seen your overhaul before...it was definitely one of my motivators to take this on.

Unfortunately, I just bought a wheel house frame on Saturday so now I am at a crossroads on where to funnel my attention. (get the boat done and park in the garage again? or Work on the wheelhouse and icefish in style this year.)

[VMS]

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a thin layer of foam tape on the stringers would accomplish the same thing.

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Good call...where do I get foam tape?

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Local hardware store should have weatherstripping foam. you could also go to the local truck topper/RV center. They will have a heavier duty sealant tape they use in between putting a truck cap on a pickup bed. It may not compress as much as weatherstripping, though, but something to consider...

Steve

[Valv]

If you want some I have tons of it, come and get it.

[sparcebag]

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a thin layer of foam tape on the stringers would accomplish the same thing.

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Good call...where do I get foam tape?

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Last two boats I did I used,,roofing Ice shield,weather proof,really sticky!wont move.A roll costs bout 50 bucks but I just ask various roofers for scrap pieces.

[Tom Linderholm]

Great Job! I will be taking on a reflooring project on my 23' and have considered using aluminum for the floor. Thanks for including the thickness and let us know if you find anymore flexing issues.

[Lowblazah]

Ok...well I sorta got distracted with all this cold weather...So my boat rehaul has gone to the wayside so I could get this built...we actually threw this together in a little under a months time. (sorry the pic doesnt show the finished product) Not bad for waiting until december to get the frame.

Anyway...I'm sure as soon as march is officially here I will redirect my efforts back to the boat.

[rodmaker]

No. You would be happy with that type of flooring. Easy to wash off.

[Lowblazah]

How would you seam up he edges if you use the vinyl coating? I fear that it would look shotty considering my cuts on the aluminum panels for the floor arent perfect. anybody got any photos? I do like the option of being able to hose it down.

[rodmaker]

Awsome job by the way

There is a place in White Bear (not sure if i can mention the name). They do boat re-modeling. He would be willing to give out info. I'm sure.

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[Lowblazah]

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