IDAHOAUGER's New Lowe L1436 Conversion

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 09 Oct 2012, 20:09

Open gas/battery compartment.

Zum · Post by **Zum** » 10 Oct 2012, 13:19

Nice job on your boat.
I just want to say(this might be overkill)have you thought about moving your battery forward in the boat?
Is your motor electric start and the battery for a bow trolling motor?
Only reason I ask this question is that gas fumes are heavier then air and maybe they could get trapped in the opening you made...a spark from the battery terminals and o oh.Like I said maybe I'm overthinking this,it is open to air.
What are other people doing,battery in same compartment as fuel?

spotco2 · Post by **spotco2** » 10 Oct 2012, 20:54

You don't have to worry so much about that since the compartment is completely open.

All of my bass boats had batteries and gas tanks under a closed hatch that was vented. As long as it's vented, you're good to go.

inlovewithsurfin · Post by **inlovewithsurfin** » 10 Oct 2012, 21:50

my fuel tank and battery are in the same back hatch and under a cover with a slight opening and havent had any issues....

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 10 Oct 2012, 23:58

Zum wrote:Nice job on your boat.
I just want to say(this might be overkill)have you thought about moving your battery forward in the boat?
Is your motor electric start and the battery for a bow trolling motor?
Only reason I ask this question is that gas fumes are heavier then air and maybe they could get trapped in the opening you made...a spark from the battery terminals and o oh.Like I said maybe I'm overthinking this,it is open to air.
What are other people doing,battery in same compartment as fuel?

The battery is for the trolling motor but I will likely move the trolling motor forward due to mounting issues anyway.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:00

spotco2 wrote:You don't have to worry so much about that since the compartment is completely open.

All of my bass boats had batteries and gas tanks under a closed hatch that was vented. As long as it's vented, you're good to go.

Thanks! Good to know, I figured it would be OK having both in an open compartment.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:02

spotco2 wrote:You don't have to worry so much about that since the compartment is completely open.

All of my bass boats had batteries and gas tanks under a closed hatch that was vented. As long as it's vented, you're good to go.

Thanks! I think I will also add a fire extinguisher back there as well which is not required for my type of boat but I think it's a good idea.

spotco2 · Post by **spotco2** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:11

Anytime you have gasoline onboard a fire extinguisher is a good idea!

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:18

I added a portable Lowrance fish finder which uses a scuction cup transducer and can be moved around as needed. I also would like to try it using the same unit during ice fishing season.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:34

The deck between the center bench and front deck is for mounting an elevated bass boat style seat and to have additional storage below. I wanted this section to just drop into place so it can be lifted out and removed for cleaning or just not having it in place for a given trip if I choose not to have it. Here is the basic 2x4 framing which will rest on the ribs and the deck floor will be mounted over this and fit by butting up against the sides of the boat. The one photo shows cardboard below the frame since I had water sealed the wood and wanted to avoid contact with the aluminum until I placed carpet under the supports.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:46

For the front elevated seat deck, I cut out the basic shape using a jigsaw and then used a belt sander to clean up the edges and get it shaped more percisely. Once I got the floor mounted to the 2x4 frame I marked off the location of the storage hatch and the seat pedestal where the 2x4 framing below would also be used as the lips for the storage hatch and the seat pedetsal bolted into the 2x4s.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:54

Cut out the storage hatch opening and after doing the water seal I put the carpet on the deck. I did not mention this before, but I find a baking rolling pin to be perfect for smoothing the carpet over the adhesive glue.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 00:57

Seat pedestal installed and dropped into place in the boat.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 18:25

Storage area and hatch.

IDAHOAUGER · Post by **IDAHOAUGER** » 11 Oct 2012, 18:28

Added a simple latch from Lowe's.