Fishing Deck Extension Project For Older Tri-Hull Fiberglass Boat

[J-Doc]

Here is the new rod storage. I'll add the plastic downspout tubes and some method for securing the tubes between the floor and the factory storage compartment that's now covered by carpet instead of the old board that hid this un-tapped resource.

[npierceuark]

Really nice Jason, that will give you a lot more space up there. Once duck season is over end of January we'll have to get together for some early spring crappie. I'm already checking my logs for the white bass run as well.

[Quillback]

Nice job Doc!

[J-Doc]

I'm already checking my logs for the white bass run as well.

You name the time and place and I'm in the back of your boat. Heck I might even throw a fly rod if someone handed me one. LOL

I'm all about filling an ice chest for some whites.

[Feathers and Fins]

Really nice Jason, that will give you a lot more space up there. Once duck season is over end of January we'll have to get together for some early spring crappie. I'm already checking my logs for the white bass run as well.

Beaver Shores Feb13th on average, Hickory Creek Feb 22 on average and up the White by 1st of April for males tax day for females if that helps on the whites. But those are just my logs. Crappie im betting wont be a go till late April early may if this weather keeps up. Walleye well I know NOTHING in my best Shultz voice

[kjackson]

That was nicely done. Good refurbishing job.

I've toyed with doing something similar rather than pick up a new or new-to-me boat that is more in tune with what I want. With all the older tri-hulls and older bass boats floating around, the economics look good at first blush. Then I think about replacing the outboard with something newer and more economical than what's on the boat, and the dollars don't look quite as good. And if I think of my time that will be spent on boat work rather than fishing, I go back to looking for a newer hull.

[J-Doc]

I know the feeling. At the time, I had been waiting to buy a boat for several years. My cousin and his family owned this one since it was only 1-2yrs old and had used it 2-3 times a year for 30yrs for skiing and occasional fishing. It sat under a garage covered until recent years. The deck was replaced within the last 5yrs, etc. Not yet knowing anything about boats (no where what I know now anyway), I bought it at a great deal. All it needed was a new trolling motor so I got a used one and I was in business (so I thought).

A 25-30yr old outboard will need rebuilding if it has not been rebuilt already. The service/life span will last about that depending on hours (per fishinwrench and many others I've spoken with)

Here is a before shot when I first got it.

Here is a more current photo from this summer (before the deck extension)

I quickly began wet-sanding to remove white oxidized haze and removed the old steps (my foot went through them one day) and replaced them with welded wire mesh (won't rot again).

The short list of things I've done include

- replaced the bilge pump with 1,000gpm Mayfair

- replaced aerator

- bought a better prop for optimum performance and ride (about $350...Turbo props are great)

- replaced batteries and added a 3rd for 24v trolling motor

- new trailer winch

- boat buddies (replaced the transom straps with retractable straps)

- eventually painted the wheels

- sanded and painted the motor cowling

- upgraded to LED lighting for entire trailer

- new trailer tires

- new bearings (thanks again to fishinwrench for showing me how and for helping in the process as well)

- I added a livewell aerator with timer

- motor rebuilt (Eventually, 30yrs of use led to a blown piston and then fishinwrench shot me a message and a great friendship was formed. He rebuilt the motor last year and she's running better than ever

- new starter for motor (needed that)

- new stator for motor (probably needed, went ahead and replaced it)

- replaced trailer bunks last spring

- added rod holders for trolling and crappie fishing

- new carpet (recent addition)

- deck extension project

(taking a breath)

So..........

Yes, they are money hungry. This was the first boat I had ever experienced as a kid and I was able to enjoy it several times. When I heard it was for sale, I bought it because I knew the owners well (family) and felt it would be really reliable. It was........it was just time to rebuild and they did not know it and neither did I.

B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Thousand

[J-Doc]

My point was......

An older boat is a lot of fun IF you get one that it's in good enough condition you can work with it over a long time period. If you have the money to invest and willing to do it (knowing you'll never get that amount back), enjoy restoring things, willing to work at it, and plan on keeping the result, it can be worth it.

I'd say 8 times out of 10 it's not worth it financially.

[kjackson]

And the reality is that you started with a pretty good package. Imagine what it would have been like if you'd had to replace the decks or the transom...

The connection you have with the boat is a big plus, and the job you did was well worth it.

I'd probably take one of these project boats on anyway because I do like that kind of restoration, but without a shop building, I'd be tearing what little hair I have left out trying to shuttle things around so I could use my current boat. I'd rather fish.

[J-Doc]

And the reality is that you started with a pretty good package. Imagine what it would have been like if you'd had to replace the decks or the transom...

The connection you have with the boat is a big plus, and the job you did was well worth it.

I'd probably take one of these project boats on anyway because I do like that kind of restoration, but without a shop building, I'd be tearing what little hair I have left out trying to shuttle things around so I could use my current boat. I'd rather fish.

And you have discovered my pain. LOL It is my current boat and I do not yet have a shop and work out of the garage when I can.

Actually, the goober that replaced the deck did a bad job and only glassed the top side of the deck using 3/8 plywood and filled the entire boat with spray foam to support the weak floor and for floatation. The problem is, he did not fully remove the old deck and just lapped over the new on top of some of the old and it did not seal off that well. Some of the decking is "spongy" and should be replaced. The foam is the only reason my foot is not going through the floor. It's really good foam and a pain to rip out. (as I know from experience due to other repairs). I'm not worried about the floor right now as it's still quite usable and I would have to split the boat in half (separating the hulls between top half and lower half) and it's just not worth it currently. Yes, it will probably get worse but I'd say it will be fine for another few years before the entire deck needs replacement. By then, I'll have more money, a shop, and time to work on it while my new boat will be my primary vessel and this will be the "sunday driver".