Newbie Introduction - 15' V-Hull Project

[wwcenturion]

Thank you Maestro, I'm learning as I go along. When I get to the electrical connections and seats I will have some questions to post.

 

[dambo0708]

Hey! Welcome man! The boat is looking great! Real nice job. I just finished my first tin. 12 footer, the link is in my signature. The Maestro helped me out a few times when I was in a pinch. Good guy.

 

[wwcenturion]

Thanks Nate, I checked out your's as well. I may have some questions about the seats when I get to that part.

Today, I got the second coat of paint for the red stripe and motor cover done.

Started on the bench covers and drilled the holes 1/2" for the PVC pipe that will hold all of my wires. I will use t-connectors everywhere I plan for there to be electrical connections.

I will try to get some pics posted tomorrow.

 

[SCARNG2011]

looks good man. I just posted my first boat. still in the infancy stages as I try to decide where i'm going with it. I like what you are doing with yours. keep it up!

https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=30891

 

[wwcenturion]

Apologies for the lack of updates lately. It's not because I am not working on the boat; I have been, and it is taking much longer than I had originally hoped it would. I haven't done the most professional job but I think it will do for a season. The winters in Alabama are relatively mild, so working on the boat shouldn't be an issue. However, at this point I JUST WANT TO GO FISHING!

Anyways, I will get some pics taken in the next couple of days along with some illustration explaining what I have done so far.

 

[wwcenturion]

WARNING For my safety and yours, please do not let my wife see this post! I have included costs up until this point. I certainly hope this doesn't discourage anyone from starting their own projects, you certainly don’t need everything on this list.​

Decks – Got all the flooring completed and mounted. Finished the stern fishing/access deck. The six gallon tank fits perfectly on one side (opposite of where I will sit to till). I did not use piano hinges but will next time. I like the smoother look the piano hinges provide. I know these don’t look great but they work and everything is solid right now. I still need to finish the bow decking. (Total for hardware and lumber so far = $582)

Seats – Purchased two seats from Academy Sports ($35 each). I don’t expect these to last a long time but I am on a budget and a plan to keep a cover on the boat while it is moored to the pier. Purchased and will install four seat plates ($24 each): two for driving/riding, and the other two for fishing. The two for fishing will have two posts (7” long) that I purchased ($19 each) but will keep in one of the access hatches until needed.

Goodies – As stated previously, I ordered courtesy lights from eBay and picked up an anchor light from Academy ($23). It is removable and has a sliding cover for when the light isn't mounted to the boat. I also purchased a slightly used Hummingbird FF with mounting bracket and transducer ($41 plus S&H), control panel ($41) and a boat cover from Wal-Mart online ($49).

Bilge – Purchased an 800gpm auto-bilge pump from a supplier on eBay and mounted it. I didn't want to drill into the hull so I used a small piece of tin I cut out of one of the benches earlier as a mounting bracket and attached it to the wood transom (as pictured). I applied JB Weld underneath the mount I constructed so it doesn't vibrate loose. FYI, under the mounting bracket I created, I cut the screws short so they wouldn't dig into the hull or raise the bilge too high. This one did not come with a discharge hose so I ordered one of those with the boat cover from Wal-Mart for ($7).

Engine – Used a bucket and started the engine up for the first time. Man, these old Rudes are reliable. Everything looks good so far, but I will know more the first time I take her out!

Trolling – I have a Minn Kota Endura 40lb thrust transom mount trolling motor I plan to convert to bow mount and make my own mount. I will eventually purchase a foot control for it ($18) online).

Here goes:
Boat & Trailer 560
Motor, Gas Tank, Fuel Line 375
Minn Kota 40lb Trolling Motor, -
Everstart Battery and Anchor 75
Towing Receiver and Ball Mount for Car 41
Seats 70
Seat Mounts, Poles, Mounting Plates 116
Paint, Lumber, Hardware (Screws, Nuts, Bolts, Washers), -
Wires, and Misc Tools 582
Used Hummingbird Wide One Hundred Fish Finder 55
Seasense 800 gpm Auto Bilge Pump 34
Marine Switch Panel w/Ground Bus Bar and Fuses 41
4 Lights 37
300 Denier 14-16' Boat Cover 50
Anchor Light 23
Bilge Pump Hose 7
Total 2066

I know I am only $66 over budget but I got a feeling that this won't be it considering I am not finished with the project!

Enjoy the pics and forgive my poor craftsmanship.

 

[wwcenturion]

Need opinions on transducer mounting.

I have the 200DX model shown here and would like suggestions on mounting it to the transom. I am not very keen on the idea of drilling into my hull but it looks like I need to get over it. I purchased a small tube of clear silicon and also have some left-over JB Weld.

 

[wwcenturion]

More progress. Don't have a great deal of time for descriptive text, so I will add notes to the pics.

 

[TheMaestro]

It looks ready for the water... You have a gorgeous lakeview! Get her in the water!!

 

[wwcenturion]

Thanks Maestro, the view is what keeps me going along with reading about everyone's projects and accomplishments here at Tin Boats. Several times I thought about giving up and just buying a bass boat, but reading and receiving feedback has reinvigorated me and now I am excited to almost be done with it.

I still need to make the starboard side hatch doors, the bow hatches, baitwell hatch, install an inline fuse on the main power wire going from the battery to the switch panel, wire up a few other things (FF & transducer), add cleats & tie-downs for the cover, install rod holders, add more flotation, register with the DMV, and paint the gunnels. I am purposely waiting to paint them last because I have to lean over into the boat frequently!

There are so many unknowns at this time:

How will she float...

How will the old Rude run... (biggest unknown)

Will everything vibrate loose and fall apart...

How many fish will I catch...

Cheers!

 

[wwcenturion]

Thanks Maestro, the view is what keeps me going along with reading about everyone's projects and accomplishments here at Tin Boats. Several times I thought about giving up and just buying a bass boat, but reading and receiving feedback has reinvigorated me and now I am excited to almost be done with it.

I still need to make the starboard side hatch doors, the bow hatches, baitwell hatch, install an inline fuse on the main power wire going from the battery to the switch panel, wire up a few other things (FF & transducer), add cleats & tie-downs for the cover, install rod holders, add more flotation, register with the DMV, and paint the gunnels. I am purposely waiting to paint them last because I have to lean over into the boat frequently!

There are so many unknowns at this time:

How will she float...

How will the old Rude run... (biggest unknown)

Will everything vibrate loose and fall apart...

How many fish will I catch...

Cheers!

 

[fool4fish1226]

That is one bad a$$ build - now go get her bloody :beer:

 

[kensho1976]

Lookin' real good! Thanks for the tips on the seats. That's exactly the way I want to go with it.

 

[SCARNG2011]

Man it's looking goooood!!! Great work!

 

[wwcenturion]

Getting there. The reason I haven't posted in several days is because I broke the throttle pinion on my outboard and had to order a replacement. Can you believe, $50 for this thing! I went ahead and ordered the choke indent and a spare impeller as well.

For the most part, everything is done on the boat and I put the first coat of paint on the gunnels yesterday. I purchased a large trash can, filled it with water and fired the motor up to see how she runs. Everything looked good there much to my relief.

I will get some pictures posted after I replace the part for the motor and finish painting the gunnels. I will also get some pics of the maiden voyage and hopefully some fish!!!

 

[wwcenturion]

Almost Done! She has a lot of stuff laying around inside that will be removed before the first voyage, which hopefully will be today. I will get some pics of her on the water and post. I needed to get my trailer wired, so that is what I worked on yesterday.

I also installed a quick connect for the battery charger so I wouldn't have to crack open the battery case every time I want to attach the charger.

More pics coming soon.

 

[wwcenturion]

:LOL2:

Happy to report that I finally got my boat in the water. Everything worked to my satisfaction. She was stable all the way around even with three people. I was able to get on plane with no problems and I am very happy with the way the old Rude performed.

Video: [youtube]A7B08P5Zzz8[/youtube]

Next time out we will do some fishing.

Below are pictures with descriptions. Enjoy.

 

[UtahBassKicker]

Very nice work!

 

[Joe3125]

Nice job on your boat. Walmart has some waterproof LED lights that are about 2-3 inch long that are great for lighting up the inside of your boat for nite fishing.. they are in the boat section at my Walmart.I have 4 of them in my boat and have no complaints they work great.

 

[wwcenturion]

Thanks guys. Playing hookie (pun) today so I can play with the boat and go fishing!

I will check out the led light selection at Wally World soon, I appreciate that tip Joe.