1948 Arkansas Traveler REBUILD!!!!

[spanky543]

This is my Arkansas Traveler...its a 1948 model and I'm trying to turn it into my little bass fishing boat.  I am working on the decking now since I have painted it...and put a epoxy coating on the bottom of the boat.  I need to get a covering for the boat decking.  I want to do carpeting but its real expensive...what should I do?  

Here are the pictures from when I got it until now!!!

[spanky543]

More Pics!!!  Here it is the night I got it.

[spanky543]

This is the new back seat deck framing that I built with treated 2x2's and 1x2's.  I have to coat it with my marine plywood now and build more framing for the decking and spaces for storage and a livewell.  You can see where I removed the original decking from the previous owner.  

Does anyone have some ideas for installing a livewell in the decking?

[spanky543]

I decided to paint it before I added anymore decking because it was getting heavy and hard to move around.  

I added a epoxy coating under the bottom of the boat to add a slick bottom and a flexible sealant.

[spanky543]

The epoxy coating is supposed to be black instead it turned out to be a smoky clear color instead of black.  So i decided to paint the whole thing.

[spanky543]

The coating added a slick and flexible surface to the bottom of the boat but it didn't turn out black like the can said it would be.  So I decided to paint it all gloss black.  I didn't go with Rustoleum because people say it can crack and peal off.  Instead I used paint from Tractor Supply called Valspar that is truck and trailer paint.

[spanky543]

Here is a close up of the back end of the boat with the Evinrude Fastwin 18 HP Motor.  The boat also has a rim of teak wood which I oiled and retreated when I painted the boat.  I am going to repaint the motor and repaint the decal with flat paint so it contrast the gloss black on the boat...  

Now I just have to finish the inside of the boat!!!!  Then I can go fishing!!!

[gatorblazer]

very sharp.  I like the teak

[simplejoe]

looks good where did you get that piant at, as for the carpet goes tell me what color you want and I'll get for cost to help a fellow member out

[spanky543]

The paint came from Tractor Supply and it was the Truck and Trailer paint from Valspar.  I was wanting a gray or a light gray carpet.  My boat is 14' long and about 5' wide.  

Here is the link for the paint I used http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_44008_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

[spanky543]

I really need to know how to attach a trolling motor to the bow of the boat while it still looks good.  It is a standard mount for a transom that I want to attach to the bow...

Any suggestions???

[Ghost minnow]

Would this work?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37359_200002004_200000000_200002000_200-2-4

[spanky543]

I don't have a John Boat...I have a V hull boat with a V shaped bow...You can look at the pictures of the earlier posts...you can see the shape of the bow.  But I need that kind of mount for that kind of trolling motor mount.    

Any good suggestions for how to make one for the front of my boat?