Hello guys, I finally took the plunge and joined. I have been lurking here for some time now gathering information for a build that I will be doing in the spring. I am not new to boat builds as I just finifhed this build on a pontoon boat https://www.pontoonboatforum.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7778&title=89-party-barge-build. But now its time for a full on fishing boat. I recently bought a used 16" Duro Craft that is in extremly nice shape. It's the standard aluminum boat with the 2 bench seats, 20" transom and is a very deep and wide boat and I want to turn it into the perfect fishing boat with livewell, floor, rod lockers electric trolling motor, lighting, fish finder, ect..... I have been impressed with the rebuilds that I have seen here and I believe that I have found the right place for this build. I have tried to research this boat but I can't find anything about it on the internet. I don't have pictures of it right now but I will get some tomorrow and post them.
It has the full bench seats like this https://cdnmedia.endeavorsuite.com/images/organizations/af900cac-3c16-4379-aa71-39d05e8f4a35/16SSV.jpg and I want turn it into something similar to these https://www.thunderbirdrainylake.com/images/Bakers-Boat.jpg
https://www.travelizmo.com/archives/2007-lund-wilderness-2000-alaskan-fishing-boat.jpg
This will require modifying of the bench seats and reinforcing everything so it doesn't compromise the structural integrety of the boat. I am a welder with capabilities to weld aluminum so that not an issue, but I could use some input as to what is the best way to do this. I was thinking of cutting out a section of each bench seat, basicly a "U" shape to the width of where the rod lockers will be and a depth to where the floor will be. Make some aluminum frames to attach to whats left of the seats to help strengthen thing up again and box in the lockers and screw down the floor. With all the knowledge on this forum from other builders I am confident that I will find the info I need to make this happen. Any and all comment will be very much appreiciated.
It has the full bench seats like this https://cdnmedia.endeavorsuite.com/images/organizations/af900cac-3c16-4379-aa71-39d05e8f4a35/16SSV.jpg and I want turn it into something similar to these https://www.thunderbirdrainylake.com/images/Bakers-Boat.jpg
https://www.travelizmo.com/archives/2007-lund-wilderness-2000-alaskan-fishing-boat.jpg
This will require modifying of the bench seats and reinforcing everything so it doesn't compromise the structural integrety of the boat. I am a welder with capabilities to weld aluminum so that not an issue, but I could use some input as to what is the best way to do this. I was thinking of cutting out a section of each bench seat, basicly a "U" shape to the width of where the rod lockers will be and a depth to where the floor will be. Make some aluminum frames to attach to whats left of the seats to help strengthen thing up again and box in the lockers and screw down the floor. With all the knowledge on this forum from other builders I am confident that I will find the info I need to make this happen. Any and all comment will be very much appreiciated.