A few months ago, I picked up a 18x44 GD 23hp LT.
The boat had seen better days but the price was too good to pass on.

Not everyone saw its potential, but I needed a project to occupy my time before gator and duck season.

First project: Replace the Trailer

The trailer included with the boat had a bent frame, I lost both sideboards on the interstate, and almost didn't make it home from South Florida. Found a Continental Dealer that someone backed out of purchasing who accepted a trade on the old one and was motivated to sell the one on his lot

Project 2: Bedliner Removal

I don't know why anyone would bedliner the inside of their boat, but I cursed their name up and down while getting that stuff out.
I used Aircraft Paint Remover which helped, a putty knife, and my fingernails. The combination not as quick as I hoped.

Project 3: Pull up floors and replace foam

The hull was a 1999, and I had no doubt the foam was waterlogged. Pulling up the floors confirmed my suspicions and I easily pulled out 100+ lbs of filthy waterlogged foam.

rear view - foam out

Inside finally clean, had a few broken welds near the box that had to be fixed prior to flipping for the bottom

Project 4: Flip Boat, prepare hull for Gator Glide

Project 5: Gator Glide and Remove Old Vinyl Graphics from the Hull
I went with the G2, Base and Glide
Base- Graphite
Glide - Mud Marsh
My thought is that I will be able to see when the Glide wears through the base with the contrasting colors.

Project 6: Prep for Paint

Prior to paint, I acid washed the boat and filled in any corrosion pitting.
I decided to go with GatorTrax Gator Boat Brown as the interior and exterior hull color.

I also ordered a switch panel and custom box from GatorTrax to add to the rig

Project 7: Paint

Project 8: Replace foam and reinstall Floorboards

I also had my switch panel box welded on and moved/welded the battery tray beneath the motor for more room to drive. I covered up the seat base that was in the floor previously and riveted aluminum over it to hide the hole.

Project 9: Wiring

For me, this was by far the worst part of the project. I am electrically ignorant and had to call in my old college roommate who is an electrical engineer from Georgia Tech.
I went ahead and ran a spare line to the front for future bow LED light, and added a 12 v receptacle to the rear. wired in bilge line, and of course Nav Lights.

Project 10: Hydro Turf

3M backed Duck Grass Camo

More Turf

Project 11: Trolling Motor

Wasn't thrilled about having to get a Saltwater Motor because of my location and it only comes in white. However, I added a Quick Release bracket so I can take the motor off for duck season and only have a black "puck" on the bow

Also added my pole holder

Stage 1: Finally complete

Just in time for Gator Season

Stage 2 (Motor Cleaning and Paint) and Stage 3 (Camo Paint Hull) forthcoming.

Also, yes I know the line between the paint and gator glide isn't clean. I noticed that the paint doesn't stick to the Glide though (and neither does painters tape) and rather than wiping the line clean with acetone, I figure a few trips through the swamp will wipe it off to show that 2-tone effect.

Came out awesome, you got some hours in that. Is that the gator trax duck grass turf too?


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Yes sir, it is


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Damn fine job!!

Damn bub nice work !!!!

Better than new. Good job.

If you don't mind me asking what kind of deal on package? How much in are you on facelift and is the 23 longtail to stay?


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Great work!

Nice transformation

Great job. You brought that boat back to life. Don't sweat the paint hydro turf line. Did the same thing to mine.


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Looks like a new boat!! Damn fine job.

Turned out great.

Great work! Can I ask what type of foam flotation you installed? I was going to use Foamular (Lowe's) next time. Rather have some flotation than none. Makes for a tight and quiet floor install.
Hydroturf is great! Used to burn myself on the hot aluminum before, not anymore, that was easy to put on. Is that '99 GD hull .100 gauge? I can get by with that gauge or lighter, and that configuration would be fine to put a 35 HP LT on it! After you get a lizard or two, I hope you'll be ready for teal!

I actually ordered the foam directly from Go Devil which they pre cut and shipped to me along with new rivets. Most slid right in but I had to sand down a couple to fit with the floor modifications I did. You are correct on the hull, it is a '99 but it is the .125 gauge


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Good job. I did a boat about 6 years ago that I got cheap. Had a good time doing it. Learned a lot.


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Damn good job... Wish I had come across that deal.. Looks like a fun project .

Have you ran the boat/motor yet?

Yeah, I've ran the boat and motor pre and post overhaul.

Minus the waterlogged foam and GG now, I've definitely noticed better speeds.

Granted one of the other first things I did was I took the motor down to Sid at FastDuck and had him go through the motor top to bottom, change out the prop, check my bushings and fix whatever he saw needed fixing.

Sid is good people. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

10-4, Sid is a good man. A little farther south I would recommend Lamarr Cox in Melbourne. I figure you'all up north have plenty of water. Hoping this Tropical storm "bitch" Erika will be mostly a rain even and give us some much needed water down south. Get ready for teal!

wow man that's GREAT work!!!! Where you at in jax?? i'm sure i'll bump into ya somewhere, would love to see the finish work up close. I just bought a brand new rig but i'm doing all the set up myself. You get it the way you want it and as im sure you agree when you put that much sweat into a rig you enjoy it that much more!!

Man that is awesome. I have the 18x44. Love it! Floats ridiculously shallow. You did a top notch job.