Customizing a 16ft. Jon Boat?

[way2hi]

I've just bought a 1995 16' x 6'2" modified V Mon Ark 1650MV jon boat with a steering console. Here is what I need to know:

-What kind of paint do I need for it (I want to paint the inside and motor and will be using a spray gun.)

-What's the best way to prep the surface w/o sanding off all of the paint, can it just be wetsanded?

-There are some holes in the deck that need to be filled, I have a welder that can weld aluminum, I can weld aluminum pretty good and do body work, but I can't fill in small holes too good so what options do I have?

-I want to extend the small front deck so I'll have enough room to mount a seat comfortably so how can I do this?

-I need to build a floor in it like the new Grizzly jon boats have any ideas and this boat has a small V all the way to the back so the floor would bend downward towards the center?

-I need to come up with a mount to build for a hand controlled trolling motor in the front where the boat V's.

I want to do everything without using any wood at all and do it myself. Any pictures would also help me out. Thanks.

[bluegilln]

>I've just bought a 1995 16'
>x 6'2" modified V Mon
>Ark 1650MV jon boat with
>a steering console. Here is
>what I need to know:
>
>
>-What kind of paint do I
>need for it (I want
>to paint the inside and
>motor and will be using
>a spray gun.) Can't help with the paint.
>
>-What's the best way to prep
>the surface w/o sanding off
>all of the paint, can
>it just be wetsanded?
>
>-There are some holes in the
>deck that need to be
>filled, I have a welder
>that can weld aluminum, I
>can weld aluminum pretty good
>and do body work, but
>I can't fill in small
>holes too good so what
>options do I have?
Rhino liner can cover the holes with aluminum tape and then spray. I used this on my custom jon. The rhino liner is the way to go.
>
>-I want to extend the small
>front deck so I'll have
>enough room to mount a
>seat comfortably so how can
>I do this? Aluminum angle and .100" aluminum sheet metal. Any thinner than .1 and it flexes too much. Use the biggest rivets you can get away with and 1/4 20 bolts.
>
>-I need to build a floor
>in it like the new
>Grizzly jon boats have any
>ideas and this boat has
>a small V all the
>way to the back so
>the floor would bend downward
>towards the center? Same as the deck extension. Be sure to use plenty of rivets so the floor does not "pop" when you walk on it. I suggest at least 6 per rib.
>
>-I need to come up with
>a mount to build for
>a hand controlled trolling motor
>in the front where the
>boat V's. I used a large block of aluminum and machined it in the shape of an L. Any machine shop can bend you a 3/8 steel bracket as well.
>
>I want to do everything without
>using any wood at all
>and do it myself. Any
>pictures would also help me
>out. Thanks.

I bought a brand new 2003 Xpress tunnel hull a couple of years ago. I added an all aluminum floor and back deck. The rear deck is built off aluminum angle and sheet metal. Then I had the entire inside rhino lined. Turned out great have been very pleased with it since. It cleans out easy with a pressure washer and requires 0 maintenance.

[DJD]

Did you make that floor on your own? If not, can you tell me who did and how much it cost? Thanks for any info.

[bluegilln]

DJD

I did it myself. I got a sheet of aluminum from Evansville Sheetmetal and cut it to fit. Once I had it cut to fit I put the rivets in. The rhino liner dealer here in BG KY taped/caulked it nice, it is seamless. Give me your email and I will send pics. Sorry to take so long getting back, I travel some for work and don't get to check in as much as I would like :).

[DJD]

I am in and out alot as well. I appreciate your response and look forward to some pics. My email is [email protected]
Thanks, Don

[bluegilln]

Hopes this gives you some ideas.

[birdstrike]

Hi Bluegilln,

I was looking to do the same thing. Can you tell me a little more about how you did this? What gauge metal did you use? About how much does it sell for? I'd love to see a picture or two of your rig! Thanks, Steve Louisville, KY


Tried you email and it didn't work. You can reach me at [email protected]

[bluegilln]

Sorry Birdstrike,

I took some photos of the back deck I put in. Let me know if you get them. I used angle aluminum as "joists" then laid the .100 sheet down. You can look on Xpress's sight for a before picture. 16' tunnel hull flat bottom with the corner pods. My deck and all of the angle cost a little over $200 the best I can remember. If you need more pictures or additional detail let me know.

Chris

[DJD]

My 14ft Jon boat has a transom mount hand controlled T/M mounted to a piece of aluminum. The fabricated "L" bracket is mounted to the top ridge of the boat which is several inches wide in the front and the transom mount trolling motor is bolted to the upper portion of the "L" bracket. I know it's not the best way but it works well and is very sturdy.

[kreyfish]

Never thought of the rino spray...that's a good idea. If you can afford it.

Chub, take a look at this website.

http://www.directboats.com/over14.html


It has a 19ft trailor on the bottom left. Don't know if that's in your price range, however when buying on line you don't have to pay sales tax.

My trailor is just a regular old trailer with wood planks that has two long 2x4's that are carpeted right on top. It used to haul jet skis, but it works just right for my jon...course the boat is only 14ft, but it should work okay. It doesn't have a wench so I'll have to pull up the boat by hand...but it's not that heavy and shouldn't be a problem.

[FISHUMUP]

I saw on BASS TECH on saturday morning a couple of weeks ago the complete reconditioning of a jon boat that was sunk. The one thing they did that I really liked was using the rino spray (thats the truck bed liner spray) on the inside to seal all the rivits and small holes.

Just throwing out ideas

[spaz]

menards has a rhino lining like stuff in a quart(maybe a gallon) can for around 80 bucks last i saw. sometimes they have a rebate with it. bet it gets cheaper around this time of year. i saw at the indiana state fair last year a 12 foot jon on rhino's display that they did the whole boat inside and out. also if the seams are splitting i dont think lining it would do anything for the seams other than seal them for a while. i put everything on mine until somebody gave me a can of roofing tar. hasn't leaked yet. if it gets too bad i'll take and recycle it and buy another beater.