I had a little 1436 riveted job boat given to me, and I plan on fixing it up and making a duck boat out of it.. Ill probably end up getting a copperhead and putting on the back of it. I searched but couldent find a build, or well a rebuild thread on a little jon boat like this.. Im just trying to get some ideas on some things I could do to it.. I plan on taking out both seats, how should I reinforce to compensate for the lack of support after I take them out? also, I remember reading somewhere to put gator glide on the bottom if rivets start to leak? Just need some ideas..

Being a pretty common size jon, order a couple ribs to put in where the seats are removed from or just get another crappy little jon and take the ribs from it. I think it would be easier to replace leaking rivets before coating the bottom with frogspit or gator glide or anyother product, then atleast it wouldn't be leaking. Prolly will be by the end of the season though.

i just rehabed a similar boat. ill post some pics soon

you can have a welder weld over the rivets on the bottom on the outside before they leak. That's what someone had done with mine.

also paid a guy to re-do the transom that started to get weak a, to ficx the nose bc it had been dented fairly badly. he did it with 1/4" so it shouldnt be a prob;)

Couldn't see the trailer at all when backing up. Moved lights up. Used conduit.

tinboats.net

Doccot Im wanting to do exactly what you did as far as a deck goes.. mind sharing what how you did that, and what you used? this is the boat, pressure washed it and stripped it down a bit, probably bringing it to my uncles shop tomorrow to have a floor put in it (should I rivet to ribs, or weld?) and have a sheet cut out for a front deck, I like the design of yours.. I plan on doing that to this one now..

Ok ive got a few more questions... Real important I need yalls help, because Ill probably be doing this tomorrow.

1. What is the best way to seal the rivets?
2. I plan on pulling the back seat out and making it open, But the seat is rivetted to the boat... How do I pull it out and keep it sealed?

On mine i used a grinder to shave the rivets inside the boat, then when you get the seat out, hold a mallet on the head of the rivet outside the boat and smack the shaved side in the boat with a hammer. Crushes the rivets flat and hasn't leaked yet. Use the grinder to smooth it out a little, or a dob os silicone so there isn't anything to snag waders or other items.

drill the rivets out, pull the bench and rerivet it. put a little silicone on the rivets and install. i then will have someone hold a mall on top of the rivets inside the boat and give them a small wack from beneath after the silicone has set. a rivet gun and rivets will cost you maybe 15 to 20 bucks.

Sounds like thats the route Im gonna go, thank you bud!

I ground mine out from the inside then put a dab of JB weld over the heads.

jb also makes a puddy epoxy called water weld. that shit works pretty damn good. i carry it in my boat cause it can be used to seal up small holes while the water is still pourin in. of course i will also use it for patch and dent repair. i also have some aluminum brazing sticks that work really well to. all you need is a torch and some patience for the spot your repairing to get nice and hot. make sure its good and clean too. i think they are called alumaweld... good luck man

+1 on tinboats.net. A lot of good info and ideas.

Also it's best to fix any leaks before you coat it. Rebucking leaking revits is real easy.

Thank all of yall for all the input, Im taking notes! keep em coming! Also, I have access to aluminum for free, so Ill be building most everything out of aluminum not ply wood.. Whats the best way to make a deck... Wanting to put over the small existing deck and the very front seat.. Any ideas?

I'm building one soon... I'm going to cut the crappy front deck out, and build flush with the top. I'm going to weld a piece of 1/8" 5' long level with the top with some 1x2 square tubing as bracing with a spot for a flush mount hatch, and beefy enough to mount my winch to. I got stuck the other day (first stuck with this rig) and I really missed my winch. Going to bend some 7/8 x 1/8" tubing to make a rail about 6" high around the deck to help protect the six 27 watt LED lights and keep gear from sliding around. I'll probably weld in something to hold my anchor steady because I cant stand it when it slides around. Also putting a post mounted seat up there I like to sit up there when I'm fishing.

Think its coming along pretty good!