Ok well I decided it was time to open up the layout on my boat. I cut out all the seat boxes and removed the grab handle. My plan is to build some aluminum pyramid seat bases and hydro turf for the floor. Also going to fab up a removable grab bar that will mount to the starboard gunnel.

That is before.




During the removal, you guys with aluminum boats are blessed. I had a lot of dust to clean and now itch all over.



And that's the finished product of everything removed.

I ran into a pretty bad problem, there was a pretty good amount of water trapped between the deck and hull. So unfortunately all the wood was rotten. This project just took on a whole new dimension.


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Damn! Cutting my old boat all up!!! Looks good buddy

Just a little face lift for the ol girl

oh yea its a jam up ole boat cant beat em, had a buddy do the same thing to his a while back.

What size is that? I had a 16x54 and it was a great boat. Wish I still had it. Mine had the bench across the back with a livewell in the back right, dry storage in the by the front deck, rod box on the left side, and the middle storage/seat base like yours. Had an aluminum bottom with a Kevlar coating on the bottom. Thing was built like a tank. I like the open layout your doing.

I had one with the front casting deck. I cut it out and added a box seat. Kinda wasted space with a front deck unless you do a lot of fishing, which the previous owner did. It also had a few soft spots in the deck but I never cut it open to investigate.

Yep it's a 16x54 as well. Mine has a front casting deck, but the blind I've designed will incorporate that deck for another hunter. I just got tired of not having enough room for me in the back of the boat when we set up for hunting. I love the boat. It's a tank, getting all the water out of the hull should give me better speeds. Luckily for me I can get the pour in expanding foam for a great deal, so the plan is to order some that is 2 pounds per cubic foot. That will add negligible weight and make me feel much better crossing open water. Working on a charter boat for years has really payed off. I am like the Pablo Picasso of fiberglass work now.


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I opened my old dixon up. I had the rear bench and casting deck. I hated that heavy bitch.

Why did you hate it?

I hear ya. My rear was sitting lower than I thought it should as well. I'm pretty sure that fixing the water in the hull will make that better. I have lots of fiberglass experience, so for me a fiberglass boat is easier to work on than aluminum. It's no speed demon, but the plan is to eventually brace up the transom and get a 23 copperhead or something similar.

http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

This is the foam I'll be using. I'm going with the 4 lb. density in order to give me some structure under the floor. That will add approximately 32 pounds to the hull weight. That is negligible to me, actually will be loosing weight after removing all the water.

I'd be willing to bet that nearly every one of those that gets cut into is waterlogged. I know a fella that just bought one that was about 5 years old and he found out that every stringer in it was completely rotten.

The good news is that you can't possibly do a worse job than Paul Dixon does of repairing the fiberglass.

I'd be willing to bet that nearly every one of those that gets cut into is waterlogged. I know a fella that just bought one that was about 5 years old and he found out that every stringer in it was completely rotten.

The good news is that you can't possibly do a worse job than Paul Dixon does of repairing the fiberglass.

Oops

It will be bullet proof when I'm done. Unfortunately it is going to take some time to get it all how I want it. But good news is I have a long time until duck season.

come on now daniel we all know how much you really like paul!!