14' Aluminum V-Hull mods

[RONOFA]

Would like any ideas, pictures etc. on how to mod a 14' aluminum v hull. I am primarily going to use it in avg. size ponds/lakes, and rivers in South Ga. for bass fishing, limb lines, trout lines. Any help /suggestions would be great.

Thank you

[simplejoe]

Do a search on past posts you'll find a lot of info on those boats some even with pics on every step of building process. hope that helps and   to the forum..

                                                 joe

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[smokepole]

Here is a picture of my 1955 memphis belle. I made storage under the seats and put a deck in the front, to get the radious for the front I measured every 6 inches from center line and marked the wood with the same measurement and it worked out great. Hope this helps.

[simplejoe]

wow smokepole big difference in your before and after pics.

[RONOFA]

Also wondering how to attach supports to boat?

[RONOFA]

Thanks to all.

what are pros and cons of a v hull, I am in the south and everyone here seems to swear by flat bottoms, all the research I have done does not seem to be a big difference, from what I have read the Vhull is better for rough water, but I am going to be in the river and lakes/ponds. Does it make that big of a difference either way or it is more preference.

Smokepole that thing looks good

[smokepole]

I have got my boat in 2 ft of water. I like the way my boat cuts the water better than a flat bottom but there seem to be a little more room in a flat bottom. For the front deck all I did was attach a 2x4 to the first storage box about 6 inches from the floor.Then I ran 2 6in supports to the ribs cut to fit.To support the deck i cut another 2x4 to extend from storagebox to the front of boat and supported on the front rib and put 2 support legs on it. wait im confused :Dnow Let me draw a pic to show you what Im tring to tell you it easy to do. Do not use pressure treated wood it will eat the aluminum. The black areas(6 total) are my supports.Hope this helps.

[RONOFA]

Great Thanks, What type of material do you use to attach the wood to the aluminum?

[smokepole]

I attached throught the aluminum storage box and ribs.

[WV_Eagle]

Here's mine, a 14' v-hull.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1207171690

I like my v-hull. I use it on the upper Potomac, rides and handles great and I have little difficulty getting into or through shallow water (18" or so) when I need to.

As far as the upgrade work you're doing, I'm no expert, but if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

Good luck on the boat!

[RONOFA]

Well officially got boat yesterday and will post pics as is now, dont know how long it will take to complete mods($$$) but atleast have a pond hopper for now, nothing wrong with that in South GA. Not trying to sound stupid but I am not understanding how and where you attache braces for decking, is it through the bench seats or what, also use decking screws or what.

[smokepole]

I used deck screws and drilled through my bench seat and I put the 2x4 on the outside and screw into the 2x4 from the inside of the seat.

[Goggle Eyes]

Here is a picture of my 1955 memphis belle. I made storage under the seats and put a deck in the front, to get the radious for the front I measured every 6 inches from center line and marked the wood with the same measurement and it worked out great. Hope this helps.

Great job,  what did you use to cover your boat with? It looks like fiberglass.

[smokepole]

2 Coats of rustolem aluminum primer 2 coats of valspar tractor paint it had held up so far.

 smokepole

[rich64]

Here's mine, I have since removed all the paint and left it an aluminum finish.It looks great. Try to use aluminum angle for the framing for the deck , it will save alot of weight http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1208478217/0

[smokepole]

Rich that is a good looking boat you got. can wait to see it when you get done

[CaneyFork]

Found this old post that is pertinent to my current situation.  Smokepole, do you still have before and after pictures of your Memphis Belle?  I have a Memphis Belle and am looking for ideas of how to restore it.