DAN'S 1436 MonArk: Fat Cat

[DAN]

First off i'd like to say hello, this is a great site. I'm a member of a certain truck forum, (TWFTW!!!) and now i have a need to join this forum because i recently purchased my first flat bottom boat! \/ Fyi, forums are addictive.

Anyway, im here to share and gain knowledge, to modify, to learn, and maybe make some friends along the way.

The Boat:
I've always wanted a simple flat bottom boat to fish in. Well i bit the bullet and bought a 14' old MonArk off of Craigslist. Got it for $450, and couldn't be happier!. The boat came with a trailer, which had good tires and a recent black paint job, and an old gas can. The guy i bought it from was gonna use it to duck hunt in, but never got around to use it, however he did give it a "custom camo paint job", complete with bed liner on the inside. lol. BONUS: there was an aerator for the live well brand new inside the bench compartment. I towed it home and began to brainstorm all the possibilities i have with the boat.

So far, i have re wired the trailer, because the old harness was non existent. I've also added new 2" strap and hook to the trailer winch. You should have seen what the guy had on it before, a thin maybe 1/4 diameter rope with a piece of wire for the hook. its a wonder that he could winch the boat in.

I haven't really touched the boat, so much as taken the old seats off, (i'm thinking i'm gonna re-upholster or get new ones)
i bought: a little emergency paddle
new boat plug
45lb thrust minn kota trolling motor if Craigslist for $100, guy even threw in a 12v battery

Next up on the agenda: new paint job on the boat. stay tuned!

 

[thudpucker]

Boy I'm sorry I missed that one!

First, put your trailer lights up on the Boat guides. You can see the lights in the mirrors as you drive and back down to the water, and keep the lights up out of the water.

How far does that Electric motor go on that Six gallon tank of Gas? :LOL2:

 

[DAN]

lol surprisingly i cant get too far with that motor. nah my dad has an old 9.9 evinrude im gonna use. great tip on the lights tho.

 

[DAN]

It's been way too long since ive been on the site. time to get back at the boat. Here are a few updates. I did a new camo paint job, new decals, and a Coleman 5 hp outboard. more pics than this post soon to follow.

The wife and I enjoying the boat

and a recent pic of the boat in action

 

[DAN]

I tried my hand at building a mud motor last year. I liked it but sold it 2 weeks after i built it. i figured id never really use it, i don't duck hunt. I sold it quick for double what i had in it, so i then bought the outboard.

 

[DAN]

I'm back at it semi-full force. I've been slowly working on the addition of the front deck in my spare time after work. I finished the bracing in the front.
I'm going for the all-aluminum build for the least amount of maintenance. I have a 12"SS hinge in the middle front that will make easy access to storage area below. Also in the works is a flat bottom deck in the back (at support-rib level) using an old road sign and foam sheet underneath.

I scored on (free)material from my uncle. He owns a local business dealing with new and used fire trucks and equipment. He had a lot of scrap aluminum around so i'm going to use this decking, a lot like bleacher seats. They measure 4.5"x 0.5" thick. grooved for grip.
I will be fastening the decking slats down with SS screws for future ease of maintenance.

 

[DAN]

Update: Front casting Deck done. Rear flat floor done. I put a fresh coat of paint on the bare metal and touched up some spots(paint still wet in the pics).next to come are new seats. I'm going to have quick release mounts so i can store the seats inside during the off season to prolong the plastic and vinyl life of the seats.
I cant wait to try the boat out on the water this weekend.