New Guy with a new project 12' sears

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Hey guys I'm new to the jon boat world but i have had a few boats. I got this boat on trade for making a skinning knife for a buddy. Its a 12' sears and I'm planning on building a pond / creek bass slaying rig. I have read alot of you guys projects and have a good idea where im headed. My biggest question is wood or aluminum? I'd like to stay stay under 500$ for the total build. The first step is gonna be to clean it up amd get it primed. I'm a big guy 6'1 270 so i was thinking of building some our riggers to help with stability and trying to keep the weight as low in the hull as possible. If you guys have any recommendations on do's and donts im all ears!

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Nobody have any info about outriggers?

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I like reading through all the posts, and since no one has answered you yet, here is a link to a video that might give you some ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxl-spJTEU

Thats a pretty cool idea. I dont think my girl friend could tip that over lol

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I hit the boat with some 120 grit on a palm sander today to get ready to prime and paint it! Gonna go with this i think

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got more supplys in today! Got my seat and pedestal for the front along with carpet and glue

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I got the seats cut out today and mocked up my deck and rod boxes. Im worried the 3/4 ply will be to heavy. Any body got imput on 3/4" vs half?

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No replies? Crickets? Nothing lol

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Crickets.....usually people are pretty good about responding ........Nice jeep in the background..... I also planned on using 3/4 for the deck but decided to skip a casting deck all together due to weight .... and decided to go with 1/2 in with a textured deck paint because it's lighter and cheaper r than carpet.. Good luck have fun

You are a big guy (so am I ) and it is a small boat. My suggestion is to take it out fishing a half dozen times and see if you think you really need decks; rod lockers; etc..

If it was a larger 1648, then, sure it can handle more weight and still be safe. Get used to what it is now, especially after you did such a fine job with the painting and "spiffing up".

Decks will put you up higher, and change the balance points. Decks will weigh a lot more than you think, and, being higher, will make it less stable.

Rod lockers will add weight, and unless you leave the boat out a lot, won't add much to its ability to find and catch a fish.

Go slow, enjoy the boat, catch some fish...and add things slowly.

Just my thoughts on the subject. I've owned a lot of boats, and did things to them that I shouldn't have done.

richg99

I used 1.5x1.5 to frame my deck lightly. And used 1/2 ply. It is almost 4 feet wide with bracing about every 1.75 feet and there's no flex at all

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I have done some re evaluation and i think im gonna do a front deck only and mount my trolling motor and fish finder up there and loose the rod boxes all together. Go with a flat floor with 2 single seats. I had to much ambition for such a small boat lol for now i need to keep it simple and light. I have been having some troubles with my paint gun so the next step is to get the hull finished. The green front will be covered up by the blue with only a crank bait silhouette showing through.

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got some work done on the boat today! got my paint job about 1/2 way done!

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well she's pretty much done besides the trolling motor and electronics!

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Lookin' good! Probably won't be run over by bass boats with that nice color blue.


richg99

richg99 said:

Lookin' good! Probably won't be run over by bass boats with that nice color blue.


richg99

Click to expand...

i sure hope not man! I'm thinking of building a aluminum box in back for battery and storage im trying to keep it light as i can since its only 12 ft i had plans for a front deck bit abandoned them when i realized how heavy it was gonna be.

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well i had my buddy fab up a nice box for the back of the boat to hold my battery and other gear! just gotta get some wood on it and carpeted to match!
i also swapped out the low back chair for a higher back cushier version i found on clearance at Academy!



Your local maker of blades
AB knives

Well i got the back storage and seating all taken care of!




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AB knives

Nice work. Looks brand new. richg99

Thanks rich!

Your local maker of blades
AB knives