My dog running buddy called me last week and said he got a smaller bass boat to go with his other and he didn't need the project John boat he had anymore and asked if I wanted it with the trailer and some new tires. Said heck yeah ! Offeder him $1200 for it because that's the goin rate in Facebook marketplace for something like this right now and he told me too much . Just bring him some cash and something he'd like and it was mine. Well $600 and a shooting tripod later ( which apparently still was too much , man called me back talking about he's gonna choke me next time he saw me lol, good to have friends like that ) gonna get a lil spool gun set up so I can re do a few deals to it..no holes in it or in the transom so I'm happy with that ,but probably gonna rip out all the old wood he had been putting in for a deck frame since it's mostly warped . There also a few riveits I think im gonna grind down and weld over .Funny thing is the wife been trying to convince me we needed a boat and start goin out the the lake so gonna surprise he when she gets home

You're all set now! Good times ahead.

If you lived closer, I'd make you a heck of a deal on some vintage outboards to put on that.

Have fun with it.

Does it float?

Get you a rope to tie to your plug. ruins the day to get the boat launched then find the plug is at home. Astro turf is a bad idea unless you want your face sandblasted

Good deal..! But, replace those rivets with new rivets....they are better than weld on a boat.

Yeppers

How so ?

Shoot the pawn show has a old minakota ( think that's how it's spelled) rolling motor in think I might go haggle for , been there for like 10years and I remember hearing blackie from blackie blends lures talk about how great they where . As far a main ..I have no clue really

Looks good

Those aluminum boats are meant to flex. Rivets allow them to flex naturally and still hold water tight. If they aren’t allowed to flex, they will eventually split. Most of the best quality aluminum fishing boats are riveted for that reason.

Yup, welding can make the aluminum brittle to I think. I’ve had a lot of them welded from patches to rivets. Had a few crack after welding. Not hard to rivet with two people and air tool.

I tried posting this like an hour ago but then the site wouldn't load for me



rivets are stupid easy to fix with a drill , and an air chisel and a little 2 part marine epoxy for insurance

I would skip the deck it just adds weight you don't need

you want Brazier Head Solid Aluminum Rivets they only need to be about 1/4 inch longer than what it takes to get through both sides what you are riveting together
if you are replacing dome heads you might want those as well but the idea is the same

drill out the old with the right size drill for the new wire wheel around the hole in and out

a pack of JB weld marine will do like 50 rivets you mix a tiny bit with a tooth pick on paper plate you start with about a pea size glob of each and work quick having everything prepped with a rivet stuck in it so nothing moves. that will get you around 5-6 rivets get it in the hole push the rivet in get your air chisel with rivet pounding bit on the rivet hold your 3 pound maul head on the other side and braaaaaappppp in a few short bursts (wear ear protection it is LOUD) and that is it

welding might work but it heats some very thing metal and rivets were how the boat was designed.

float it find your leakers , pencil mark them then get back on trailer and work on those that leak.

then just keep a carpenters pencil in your tackle box and as you find a leaker circle it , you might find a couple each year or you may not have any after you get the fist batch.

Side bunks or posts will make life a lot easier especially loading in a current or a wind

they make bolt on ones they sell on amazon or make your own


you also want a rear strap to hold that boat down to the trailer during transport

Gunnels look a little short for going on big water, where you gonna use it?

Probably just puddering around the local state parks lake

Ranger or Nitro?

That is one way to make Captain!

He's married QBD, still first mate lol

IN front of the wheel fender onto the trailer frame. Bolt on a eye hook/clip so you can attach a ratchet strap over the top of the boat to the trailer to keep it from bouncing.