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chrisj0616

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New here, but been lurking for a few weeks

I have a Lowe 1448 that I am going to start rebuilding

When I bought it it had a heavy wood deck on it

Well, I hate the weight of it so with some help from a couple buddies who can weld aluminum it's going to undergo a transformation

The wood deck is already out and it is now back to bare boat.
It is going to be replaced with aluminum and extended to 5ft, sealed with an access hatch and battery compartment, a 20 inch cree light bar, and rod holders.

The livewell also has got to go, it won't hold the size catfish we catch and shad just beat themselves to death in it.
After pulling it the hole will be closed off by welding a plate of aluminum on top and bottom of the hole

Also planning on putting a switch panel in the rear seat for controlling lights and bilge pump/baitwell pump and led fishing lights

I use this boat to get to and from my hunting spots on the game lands as well so I'm toying with the idea of a removable gun/bow box

The boat is powered by a 1998 25 hp mercury force tiller handle motor, this motor has been great to me, while the boat is going through its transformation the motor will be going to the shop to be serviced and to get a new prop

I am also toying with the idea of putting a trolling style removable rod holder bar over the transom

Here's a few starting pictures of it
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View attachment 1View attachment 2View attachment 3

Livewell hole welded shut and framing for the deck

Still trying to figure out a lightweight way to do the bottom floor I'm thinking 1/2 inch plywood temporarily with 1 1/2 inch aluminum angle to support it in between the ribs until I can afford another sheet of aluminum

Trying to minimize weight as much as possible because I am getting a 12 gallon bait jacuzzi and going to be using a large cooler or truck box for a livewell while fishing catfish tournaments. Any suggestions?
 

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What it's looking like now.

David does a good job, takes his time but doesn't lollygag and isn't too expensive

Can't wait to get it back to start doing my part, gonna build some custom removable rod holder mounts run the wiring for lights, trolling motor, bilge, fishing lights, light bar, 12 volt outlets, removable livewell for catfish tournaments, baitwell, currently trying to find a depth finder, and put down an aluminum floor with hydroturff from gator trax. Also thinking about having David build a removable aluminum gun/bow box for when I hunt game lands


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Barefoot_Johnny said:
Very Professional
Thanks David is really good. I wish I could say that I could have done it myself but was too lazy but there's no way I could have done any of what he did without it turning out looking like a giant hunk of scrap
 

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I remember seeing a thread where people where interested in prices so here's mine that I can remember
Deck and paint was around $650
Wiring the way I did it including the switch panel was around $85 plus a day of aching muscles from playing contortionist under the deck
Light bar was 65$ and the 4 green lights where around 3$ each on amazon

Most of the other stuff I already had on hand
 
Got the boat on the water yesterday according to the gps app on my phone it ran between 25 and 28 mph with the beat up prop I'm hoping to get about 30 to 35 out of it when I get the new prop in

Going to order the aluminum for the floor and hydroturff on Friday and hopefully get it in by next weekend

Also trying to figure out a livewell for catfish tournaments can't decide between the big cooler method or aluminum truck box or something else, don't want anything permanent because we only keep fish alive for tournaments otherwise we release them or they go on ice or a stringer to be cleaned before going home

Also ordering a 12 or 18 gallon bait jacuzzi
 
Wow, that build is turning out really nice! I love the paint job. It looks great from the photos!

I hate it when people make suggestions after I have all ready completed work, so I will apologize in advance for being that guy, but it might be a good idea to put some of that split-loom plastic tubing around your awesome new wiring. I have seen some unprotected wiring 's insulation wear off on a buddy's boat from chaffing. Didn't really hurt anything on his fiberglass boat before he found it and repaired it, but has the potential to suck pretty bad on a tin rig.

Now for my standard disclaimer: My advice is probably worth exactly what you paid for it! (But I still think my opinion of your sweet paint job is valid.) :LOL2:
 
DarynCashmark said:
Wow, that build is turning out really nice! I love the paint job. It looks great from the photos!

I hate it when people make suggestions after I have all ready completed work, so I will apologize in advance for being that guy, but it might be a good idea to put some of that split-loom plastic tubing around your awesome new wiring. I have seen some unprotected wiring 's insulation wear off on a buddy's boat from chaffing. Didn't really hurt anything on his fiberglass boat before he found it and repaired it, but has the potential to suck pretty bad on a tin rig.

Now for my standard disclaimer: My advice is probably worth exactly what you paid for it! (But I still think my opinion of your sweet paint job is valid.) [emoji38]2:
I intended to do just that and completely forgot about it! Thanks for reminding me [emoji3]
 
What kind of Paint did you use? Im in process of doing a complete rebuild and cant decide on paint. Im either going light brown, tan or olive. cant decide but that paint turned out real nice. what kind was it? Also been interested in the stencil you used up front on yours. something you made or found
 
I'm not sure what kind it is I'll ask David he did the aluminum work and paint I just did the wiring. I do know that he put it on THICK though
irvan105 said:
What kind of Paint did you use? Im in process of doing a complete rebuild and cant decide on paint. Im either going light brown, tan or olive. cant decide but that paint turned out real nice. what kind was it? Also been interested in the stencil you used up front on yours. something you made or found
 

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