Recent content by Kurt Loup

Bosch jigsaw blades make fairly clean cuts. They are worth the minimal extra costs. Kurt

I bought the Tempress hatches from Great Lakes Skipper directly https://greatlakesskipper.com/products.php?action=search&keywords=tempress&x=0&y=0 or from their ebay store https://stores.ebay.com/Great-Lakes-Skipper I think I bought directly, but check both sites as the prices and shipping...

I used the Sherwin Williams enamel that was recommended by the store. I had the store match a paint chip I picked up at Home Depot. It's probably my lack of surface prep that is causing some paint adhesion problems in high wear areas. No big deal as I can touch up those areas if I want. I...

Blake, I used Weldwood Contact Cement to adhere the Hydro Turf. I used a brush to apply the contact cement to the aluminum and HT. Once the adhesive is dry to the touch, stick it to the aluminum. It seems reasonably durable. You can go to HT's website to order a sample if you want to check...

I checked and apparently I didn't take any photos of doing the side panels. I installed the floor first. I used pink building foam between the ribs. The foam stiffened the bottom and added floatation. I cut out the aluminum panels and traced the curve of the side panels onto the floor. I...

The hatches are Tempress hatches. I can't remember if I bought them from Great Lakes Skipper from their website or from their store on ebay. I think I bought them direct. Just compare the website vs. ebay. The prices are a bit different. They were the cheapest source I could find. It may...

Thanks. The aluminum plate was ~1/8". The tubing is 1/8" thick 1 1/2" square tubing. It was all riveted. The only place I question not welding is the joint where the sides meet the floor. I'd like to have a bit more security there in the even that the sides flex. I haven't noticed any flex...

Thanks. It was easy to work with, but my brother helped me out. We used Weldwood Contact Cement to glue it down. We brushed a coat on the HT and one on the aluminum. When dry to touch, we laid it in place. You need to make sure you place it down properly as it ain't coming up without some...

Here is the link https://www.hydroturf.com/ It is a glue down, sheet foam. Everyone that has seen the boat seems to be impressed with it. Kurt

So far, so good. Unfortunately, I've only had the boat out 3 times. There does not appear to be any fading in the sun. After fishing, I've stopped at a car wash and the dirt, fish scales, etc. washed off easily. Kurt

A 3 gallon gas tank fits through the rear hatch. I put the switch box for the bilge and lights in the hatch mounted to the back of the rear bench seat so there is just enough room to squeeze the tank in there.

Thanks. I purchased the hydro turf from here: https://hydroturf.com/products.php?cat=Closeouts%20and%20Specials&man=Sheets%20of%20Hydro-Turf I used Weldwood contact cement to glue it to the aluminum. You can buy 3M backing on the hydro turf, but it is expensive. Kurt

Thanks. Aluminum plate was used for the floor and it was covered with hydro turf. Pink building foam was added between the ribs for floatation. It also stiffened the floor between the ribs.

Only the middle seat was removed. The front and rear decks attach to the seats. I was worried about strength before the side panels were added. It seems rigid now as the side panels are attached to the floor and sides under the gunwales. I didn't notice any flex when I took the boat out, but...

Thanks. I have more photos on my photobucket account https://s425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/