Hello all. I just bought a 1432 Smoker Craft. Trying to figure out what to do and the best way to do it. My restoration skills are very lacking. Here's the rundown:
The first pic is where I stand now (see Doc1.doc attachment).
View attachment Doc1.doc
The second pic is where I want to get (see Doc2.doc attachment).
View attachment Doc2.doc
I'm thinking of spot sanding the bad places and putting a fresh coat of olive on her. I want to have this thing on the water in a month or so ready to go. I want to raise the front deck flush with the top of the bow so I can easily install a motor and run the foot control back to the front seat. That compartment would act as storage for the battery etc. I'd add the access panel to the front as shown. The back is more of a storage cover than a deck. I want to cut a hole in the front of the rear seat and put an access there. Also the rear portion of this will be hinged so I'd have access there as well. The floor I'm thinking marine plywood of course sealed with some sort of bondo resin and carpeted. I think if I lay it directly on the ribs, cut to fit, it would be secure enough...plus I like the idea of being able to take it out if I need to. The seats sit a little higher in the picture than I would like. I'm thinking a 3"-6" base so my feet still sit naturally on the floor of the boat. Frame I'm thinking wood, sealed again of course.
My biggest concern is connecting anything to the boat with screws, rivets, etc. Whats the best way? How do I do this without causing leaks?
I'm looking for any ideas and thoughts on how to accomplish this project the best and easiest way. I really don't want to spend a fortune either. (The wife already wants to kill me for buying the dang thing).
The first pic is where I stand now (see Doc1.doc attachment).
View attachment Doc1.doc
The second pic is where I want to get (see Doc2.doc attachment).
View attachment Doc2.doc
I'm thinking of spot sanding the bad places and putting a fresh coat of olive on her. I want to have this thing on the water in a month or so ready to go. I want to raise the front deck flush with the top of the bow so I can easily install a motor and run the foot control back to the front seat. That compartment would act as storage for the battery etc. I'd add the access panel to the front as shown. The back is more of a storage cover than a deck. I want to cut a hole in the front of the rear seat and put an access there. Also the rear portion of this will be hinged so I'd have access there as well. The floor I'm thinking marine plywood of course sealed with some sort of bondo resin and carpeted. I think if I lay it directly on the ribs, cut to fit, it would be secure enough...plus I like the idea of being able to take it out if I need to. The seats sit a little higher in the picture than I would like. I'm thinking a 3"-6" base so my feet still sit naturally on the floor of the boat. Frame I'm thinking wood, sealed again of course.
My biggest concern is connecting anything to the boat with screws, rivets, etc. Whats the best way? How do I do this without causing leaks?
I'm looking for any ideas and thoughts on how to accomplish this project the best and easiest way. I really don't want to spend a fortune either. (The wife already wants to kill me for buying the dang thing).