A conversion like you've never seen before...16' Performer

TinBoats.net

Help Support TinBoats.net:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

LMBDave

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
114
Reaction score
0
Location
Tacoma Washington
Been doing a lot of conversions to small boat lately, mostly 10-12 footers...I really like the old fiberglass Tri Hull Columbian boats, they're nice and wide and generally pretty inexpensive...compared to a wide aluminum jon.

Recently I had a vision...I had a great idea for an awesome rod box...But the smaller boats that i normally convert arent big enough for what i had invsioned...so started looking at some bigger boats. I looked at all kinds of boats, but mostly i was looking for an aluminum wide v hull...but then I had an even better idea! People get rid of old ski boats and open bow runabouts all the time for dirt cheap, i thought it would be cool to find an old tri hull Glastron or Reinell and try my handy work on something like that...took a look on good'ol craiglist and this is what i found...

IMG_2191.jpg


She's a 1970's 16' Performer...picked her up for $400 and she RUNS!! 1975 Mercury 85hp 2 stroke outboard with power start. Sitting on a 1998 EZ Loader trailer.

Started the conversion a couple days ago, here are some pics of the progress, including the rod box.

IMG_2216.jpg


IMG_2217.jpg


IMG_2219.jpg


IMG_2236.jpg


IMG_2237.jpg


IMG_2238.jpg


IMG_2242.jpg


IMG_2241.jpg


IMG_2243.jpg


more pics coming soon...
 
Got some more work done on the Performer conversion. Check it out!

Water proofed the framing
IMG_2248.jpg


IMG_2250.jpg


Fitting the decking, hatches and walls
IMG_2251.jpg


IMG_2246.jpg


IMG_2249.jpg


Water proofed the decking, hatches and walls
IMG_2252.jpg


IMG_2253.jpg


next step: carpet
 
Got all the carpet laid out and installed. I decided to go with a darker carpet than i normally use, i think it came out looking really nice.

IMG_2258.jpg


IMG_2260.jpg


IMG_2262.jpg


IMG_2263.jpg


IMG_2264.jpg


IMG_2266.jpg


Got all the hinges and door straps installed
IMG_2269.jpg


IMG_2270.jpg


Next steps: Floor carpet, install seats, and install bow mount trolling motor.
 
Great job... Good post... as much as I like it, i would be concerned about the amount of weight you added... I would guess between 400 and 500 lbs.
The job does look great.
 
devilmutt said:
I like it. Tons of these old boats around.

I KNOW!!! they are all over craigslist and they go for dirt! Haha like i said, i got mine for $400 with the trailer and it runs perfectly!
 
freetofish said:
Great job... Good post... as much as I like it, i would be concerned about the amount of weight you added... I would guess between 400 and 500 lbs.
The job does look great.

Nah not that much...maybe 150, the framing really isnt as heavy as it looks, i can lift them out by myself. I took her out yesterday for her maiden voyage and she sat nice and flat and didnt show any signs of struggle from the added weight.
 
bulldog said:
I'm having a hard time believing my eyes. That is an awesome build. Keep the pics coming please!!

U got it man, I got some more work done to it today, but it got too dark to take pictures so ill try to get some posted tomorrow...still trying to figure out how i want to mount the seats...any suggestions anyone???
 
For the seats what about building a stair step on that back wall you would set on the stair, then when it was time to fish it would make it easy to climb out
 
79Stroker said:
For the seats what about building a stair step on that back wall you would set on the stair, then when it was time to fish it would make it easy to climb out

that is an excellent idea, i considered something similar but in the end i ended going with a pair of standard fishing seats that i picked up on CL for $40...Installed them on an 8" pedestal.
 
Here are some more pics!

Carpeted the floor
IMG_2281.jpg


Installed the Driver and Passenger seats
IMG_2286.jpg


Installed the rear pedestal seat
IMG_2287.jpg


IMG_2289.jpg


Installed the Bow mount minn kota
IMG_2284.jpg


IMG_2283.jpg


IMG_2285.jpg


IMG_2288.jpg


more pics coming...
 
Here's the seat I deceided to go with in the front
IMG_2290.jpg


Here's a couple pics of it on the boat, dark pic sorry...
IMG_2291.jpg


IMG_2293.jpg


Full view of the boat
IMG_2294.jpg
 
SVOMike86 said:
Awesome build Man! Great deal on that boat. Makes me wanna scour Craigslist for something else I can't afford...

So far ive got about $600 into the whole project, give or take 50 bucks. Beats $30,000 for a new skeeter...although i would definitely love to have a new skeeter.
 
freetofish said:
Great job... Good post... as much as I like it, i would be concerned about the amount of weight you added... I would guess between 400 and 500 lbs.
The job does look great.

My thoughts as well - that looks really heavy

But awesome! I am sure teh hull can handle it - just loading and unloading on the trailer looks like a b%^&*$
 

Latest posts

Top