14' lund getting started

[bm3dufner]

Just got started redoing my Lund it is 14'
i stripped the paint off over the weekend. I still have some work to do with that. I need to pick up a wheel to get into the smaller areas.
I plan on putting decks on it but i can't decide on how i want to frame it out. I've seen other guys using the square aluminum tubing and that looks great but I'm thinking that might be too expensive for me. Any ideas?????

 

[vanbc]

Lookin good. I would go with 2x2 and 2x3. somewhat light and should not cost that much.
these are not mine but i like what they did
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1555&start=25
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6735

 

[bm3dufner]

Thanks for the reply. I have to wait a little while before I can start framing. The wife says I'm spending too much $$$.
There is still about three feet of snow on the ground so I'm not in too much of a hurry. Besides if I finish it early it will just tourture me from the garage until spring.

 

[reedjj]

Vanbc is right. 2x2's are pretty cheap, and really easy to work with when you use the brackets. Just coat em with spar urethane and use stainless or galv screws.

 

[bm3dufner]

I went to Lowes this weekend to price out the lumber that I'll need. All I could find was the pressure treated plywood. I've heard that using the preasure treated stuff was bad juju on aluminum. I guess i will just have to check some different lumber yards. Cleaned out garage today. I figured out that i have quite a bit more fishing tackle than I thought. I'm taking the boat with me tomorrow for duty (Coast Guard) hopefully I can get a little done on it on my down time.

 

[Decatur]

...use the brackets...

What are those brackets called? Are they easy to find? Are they expensive? Sorry for the barrage of questions.

 

[arkansasnative]

I believe the brackets he is talking about are called Simpson strong-ties... sold at home depot and other hardware stores. Normal exterior grade plywood works great for decking. at most stores this is most of the plywood you will see... some brands mark their exterior grade with an X.

 

[Decatur]

Thanks!

 

[bm3dufner]

got some more work done on the exterior. I'm having to reconfigure the trailer. It was made for a flat bottom boat and as you all know mine is not. Any ideas on a bunk layout??? On the topic of the brackets, they can be found in the lumber section at lowes i found mine in the decking stuff. i took some more pics, tell me what you think.

 

[Decatur]

Thanks! That's a good idea MI has with the permanent trailer plates.

 

[bm3dufner]

some more pics of the boat i got the outside primed and i mounted the vintage bow lights i found on ebay.
the one pic is a tug and barge that was stuck in the ice for 12 hours.

 

[georgiaken]

Looks like it's coming along nicely...

I really dig the lights...nice touch!

 

[bm3dufner]

thanks its slow going but i just want to get it all done before spring!

 

[atuck593]

Nice work! Do you plan on painting the bottom and the bow that you have left bare aluminum? I have a starcraft 14' and I would like to keep that polished aluminum look in the bow and taper it lower as it fades to the back of the boat. Any idea of a good clear coat to keep the aluminum nice a polished as opposed to oxidizing?

 

[bm3dufner]

i am goin to go with the polished look mostly for the fact that i like to fish in heavy cover and if i painted the bottom it would just get scratched up. I painted the parts that were primed red tonight. it took four rattle cans. i'll get it out of the garage and take pictures tomorrow if its not snowing. a foot on the ground right now.

 

[bm3dufner]

as for the clear coat im not sure of that yet. I'll probably go with just a good rattle can.

 

[atuck593]

Nice...that's the same thing I was worried about scraping brush and what not and ruining the bottom paint. I hear yah on the snow we are still thawing out here in PA with a couple more inches added here today. How did it come out with the rattle cans? I was thinking on using a wagner paint sprayer but I have read on here that some people think the are more of a pain than anything. Look forward to seeing the pics when you post them.

 

[bm3dufner]

well i got the boat painted last night. I wouldn't say it looks amazing or anything but it looks alot bettter than it did. I have some spots where the tape didn't do its job but I'll clean that up at work this week.

 

[georgiaken]

Looking good man...looking good!

 

[atuck593]

Nice...came out good with the just the "rattle cans"