cathprod
Well-known member
Well it is time again. I have not posted since the first simple mods I made on a late 60's 1432 flatboat. Several months ago I pulled the trigger on a larger boat. I really wanted the following:
1. At least 17' long
2. At least 50+ inches wide
3. All welded hull
4. Working motor that maxed out the hp for the boat
Well $1600 later and I got all but #3 (I could not justify the extra $ it would have cost to get an all weld). It is a 1987 Alumacraft MV Super Bandit and is 17' 8" long and 52" wide at the bottom. It has a 1987 Evinrude 88 SPL that was rebuilt in 2005 and runs like a champ (at least it has for the past several months).
This will be a weekend project so it will be slow going but it can't go too slow because I do not want to miss too much spring fishing which is not too far away here in New Orleans. I have already removed the decking, console, and hatch lids this past weekend. This weekend I hope to get the motor off and start replacing the transom (which is original and in probably not very good shape). I am open to any suggestions and will put forth some of my ideas and plans in a later post. I am almost certain I will be going with an all aluminum build with no carpet though I have not decided on either kiwigrip, skid no more, or some similar item. Any thoughts?
Anyone know a decent and affordable aluminum welder in the New Orleans area for some small repairs?
1. At least 17' long
2. At least 50+ inches wide
3. All welded hull
4. Working motor that maxed out the hp for the boat
Well $1600 later and I got all but #3 (I could not justify the extra $ it would have cost to get an all weld). It is a 1987 Alumacraft MV Super Bandit and is 17' 8" long and 52" wide at the bottom. It has a 1987 Evinrude 88 SPL that was rebuilt in 2005 and runs like a champ (at least it has for the past several months).
This will be a weekend project so it will be slow going but it can't go too slow because I do not want to miss too much spring fishing which is not too far away here in New Orleans. I have already removed the decking, console, and hatch lids this past weekend. This weekend I hope to get the motor off and start replacing the transom (which is original and in probably not very good shape). I am open to any suggestions and will put forth some of my ideas and plans in a later post. I am almost certain I will be going with an all aluminum build with no carpet though I have not decided on either kiwigrip, skid no more, or some similar item. Any thoughts?
Anyone know a decent and affordable aluminum welder in the New Orleans area for some small repairs?