Redesigning my 14' Aluminum v-hull...

[Vilas15]

On 4/1/2021 at 2:41 AM, E-rude dude said:

I would be asking one of the engineers on here how much floatation you need to add so you don’t sink if swamped. It happens. 
 

I rebuilt a 16’ smokercraft deep v once. I had to sacrifice the bow battery compartment to fill with foam to compensate for the added weight of a slightly extended deck and epoxy covered wood decks. 

Very nice work. Still haven't seen any foam added. If you swamp it that thing is dropping like a rock!

[DaubsNU1]

2 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Very nice work. Still haven't seen any foam added. If you swamp it that thing is dropping like a rock!

 

Yep. I will be adding foam under front casting deck, and in some of the compartments.

 

Always good to be safe and cautious!

 

[TnRiver46]

Looks like it’s about time for you to get started on mine 

[DaubsNU1]

Been fishing the boat for a few weeks now.

• Before the re-design, the old 20HP Merc motivated this boat to 23 MPH. With all the modifications and added weight, I can still get 20 MPH. I will take it!
  • Still haven't done anything to the carb / motor. Takes about 3-4 pulls in the morning to start...and starts on first or second pull remainder of the day. Pretty d**n good motor for a 47 year old motor!
• Added gas struts for the hatches. Works well...and they hold down when motoring and trailering, no need for additional tie-downs / straps.
• The small leaks are getting a little larger...need to get underneath and seal up with the 3M
• Overall layout is great for fishing alone. Still figuring out the best places for things like lures / tackle, lunch, water, life-jackets, tools, supplies, etc.
  • Daughter joined me on Sunday...two in this boat is tight...but works.
• Figured out the battery charger issue. I had one of the lines wired incorrectly. Batteries are charging great now.
• Added small plastic storage thing-y in front...holds bottle of water, pliers, soap, braid scissors.
• Need to add the rear Garmin.
• Carpet still on hold...I'm going to epoxy resin the remainder of the wood and fish rest of the season as is.

 

[GaryH]

Looking great. Fine work ?

[DaubsNU1]

Sealed up seams last night with 3M | 4200. Messy, and doesn't look very good...but hopefully water-tight. 

 

Picture of the front deck...added the cup and pliers holder recently. Ram mount for my phone was a good addition.

 

And a picture of all the hatches open.

 

 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Sealed up seams last night with 3M | 4200. Messy, and doesn't look very good...but hopefully water-tight.

 

Long as it works.

 

I would have used JB Weld then an angle-grinder with twist-lock discs to smooth it out, but I'm a little OCD that way.

 

[DaubsNU1]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

 

Long as it works.

 

I would have used JB Weld then an angle-grinder with twist-lock discs to smooth it out, but I'm a little OCD that way.

 

 

When I first got the boat 20 years ago, pulled the motor, flipped the boat and use some epoxy sticks to seal the seam. You heat the metal...work the stick in as it melts...held up for a while. But after 20 years all that old epoxy was dried, cracked, and most of it fell off.

 

I like the JB weld idea...if this doesn't hold I'll look in to that.

 

Thanks @MN Fisher

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

 

Long as it works.

 

I would have used JB Weld then an angle-grinder with twist-lock discs to smooth it out, but I'm a little OCD that way.

 

I’m a proponent of JB weld, I’ve got some at least 10 years and holding on my boat 

[Tatsu Dave]

Well I've done what You and Ken are doing to a 14' Lowe...... bought bare boat with a floor and motor new and tried to turn it into a small mini bass fishing boat. Took a winter building in everything I felt we would need. These small go almost anywhere boats will allow fishing where larger craft just don't work and will launch anywhere. I carpeted the casting deck/bow close in and seat tops. Floor is vinyl covered, the girt-stones-and mud really track up the carpet during a season of use. It vacuums up but takes a lot of time and is slowly wearing w/use. Sorry now didn't vinyl everything and wipe out with spray cleaner every year. Its worth more now and could upgrade to a little larger boat but there goes that size and and launch advantage. Its a good two person boat and its paid for! Been following progress w/ both of you and find ideas and methods quite interesting.    Dave

[MN Fisher]

59 minutes ago, Tatsu Dave said:

Been following progress w/ both of you and find ideas and methods quite interesting.    Dave

We need pics, Dave...else it didn't happen

[Tatsu Dave]

OK here's a couple to see, I have since decided to put the frt. battery under a hatch in the front casting deck. Other than that it has worked out well for son and I, stable and enough room to manuever around netting and casting. Has vertical and horizontal rod holders to hold up to 10 rigs. 

[GaryH]

1 hour ago, Tatsu Dave said:

OK here's a couple to see, I have since decided to put the frt. battery under a hatch in the front casting deck. Other than that it has worked out well for son and I, stable and enough room to manuever around netting and casting. Has vertical and horizontal rod holders to hold up to 10 rigs. 

Looks great Dave.. Good job

[LonnieP]

4 hours ago, Tatsu Dave said:

OK here's a couple to see, I have since decided to put the frt. battery under a hatch in the front casting deck. Other than that it has worked out well for son and I, stable and enough room to manuever around netting and casting. Has vertical and horizontal rod holders to hold up to 10 rigs. 

I looked at 14 foot Lowe similar to your boat earlier today. It had a casting deck built on the front. Are they stable enough to stand and fish in the front?

[Tatsu Dave]

Yeah actually it is, I thought with a v bottom it would rock but it doesn't. I like to use the seat cause I'm getting older but the boy likes standing on it. To put it in perspective the back of the casting deck sits on the full width of the forward bench seat. That's where the seat pedestal base is mounted, at that point the boat is still 63"-66" across on sides. 4' at floor. They are pretty nice small fishing boats for two fisherman, cheap to operate and maintain.

[DaubsNU1]

I stand and fish in the front of my boat probably 80% of the time. Very stable for a small boat. 

 

I still have a few leaks to seal up...I fished for 7 hours today...had about 1/2" of water at days end. 

 

The epoxy coated wood actually works pretty well as is. I might just run like that for a while. 

[Functional]

something to look into besides JB Weld is Marine Tex or Devcon. Both are very good materials and strong as hell. Can get both at amazon in varying quantities.

[WRB]

You are better off sitting in a 14’ aluminum V hull boat.

If you stand be sure the platform is lower then boats bench seat top. Standing at the level of the bench seats is risky to say the least. 

Weight above the waterline or center of gravity in a boat should be off set by equal or more weight below the CG to stabilize the hull.

Gasoline tank, 12V marine batteries, tackle storage, anchors or anything heavy should be on the bottom of the boat or a low as possible. The stern is the widest part of a V hull aluminum boat, heavy items should be near the back of the boat.

I own a 14’ Lund V hull with 15 hp engine, 6 gallon gas tank, 12V battery, trolling motor, 2 swivel seats and 55 qt cooler for livewell/dry storage and a plastic milk crate for my anchor and rope tools etc.

The floor was 1/4”marine plywood carpeted with 1” runners to raise the floor to run wire. The carpet kept the flooring in place no issues with it moving. Front had a 3/4” carpeted floor about 4” under the front bench with 12” pedestal swivel seat. I could stand in the front occasionally, usually seated. The TM was hand operated, no foot pedal, only a foot operated (auto dimmer switch) on/off switch.

I also had a paper graph at the teller seat and a bow sonar unit. 

Space is a premium so Keep it simple.

Tom

PS, the Lund was my second boat for small lakes, also owned several glass bass boats.

Also used the Lund at times at Castaic, Casitas, and other larger lakes to keep under the radar.