Re working an old '79 Terry

[Eric the awful fisherman]

I have a 1979 Terry. It was originally a fish/ski that's been decked over years back to turn into a fishing boat. I'm toying with idea of making an aluminum deck with hatches. Storage is my biggest issue. I need a larger livewell so I'll need to start there. Any ideas? Thanks. 

[fishinwrench]

The first step to any kind of restoration is to closely examine the transom and the cap to hull attachment.   Fish&Ski type boats typically have a very strong transom but are a little weak at the bow.

Remove the rub rail and check out what kind of movement has been happening where the cap meets the hull, chances are that you'll find some areas that need attention.  Older boats of that era were simply screwed or riveted together and those holes will have alot of slop in them.

If you can access the underside of the cap at the bow, look to see how you can sturdy that area up because FS boats aren't built very strong up front and a heavy trolling motor mount will start tearing the nose apart in choppy water.  

Once you've verified the transom is still solid, and you have tightened everything back down BETTER THAN THE FACTORY DID, then you can modify the deck and interior any way you want.  

Have fun!  

Edit:   oh and post some pics.

[Eric the awful fisherman]

Thanks wrench I will definitely look at those mentioned spots. The transom seems fine no cracks or anything. But I'm also an untrained eye. Before I do much remodeling I'm looking to move the live well from front to the rear center. It needs to be a bit larger if I fish the tournaments I plan on. Only thing I've come up with is a cabelas live well and they want more than 200$ for it. Wondering if there's anywhere else out there that's a little less expensive. 

[fishinwrench]

Find a plastic tote that is the size/shape you need. Modify it if you need to.  Get some fiberglass cloth and resin..... and use the tote as a mold/form (2 layers of cloth).

Once done, pop the tote out and install your thru-hull drains and spray bar.  

[Eric the awful fisherman]

Never thought about that. Is there a term for that process ? Fibreglass molding or something? That would be an excellent way to make that work. 

[fishinwrench]

The term you're looking for is "fabrication".   

Once it is all hooked up and in place, go crazy with expanding foam. 

[Eric the awful fisherman]

Will do. Once I get further along I'll put up some photos