2001 Lowe Roughneck 1752 upgrades

[Target]

Bought a 2001 Lowe 1752 with a 1 year old outboard. Didn't have to do a ton of work to it but still plenty to keep me busy during the off season.

1) Added LED lights up front and added a BlueSeas fuse block and switch panel in the back. Used a box from menards to house the block and switch so I didn't have to cut any holes in the boat. Still need to figure out where fish finders are going and add a bilge.

2) Built a trolling motor mount up front and added a quick release bracket. The mount is made of untreated 2x4' stacked up and a piece of marine plywood sealed with spar urethene. I added carpet over top and used some aluminum plate under to reinforce it.

3) Added hydroturf this weekend. Used 3m-90 spray. Took 4.5 sheets of b-stock grey diamond.

4) Reinforced the transom with 1/4 aluminum plates. Also put some 3/16 plates under to fill the space. The wood is solid but the bolts were sinking in a bit. Added 3m 5200 in all the bolt holes as well.

5) Added intake fins to the jet unit to reduce cavitation. During the first few runs I was cavitating in chop but the fins seemed to fix it.

 

[Target]

A few pictures- including what it used to look like.

 

[JL8Jeff]

That's similar to my 2001 Roughneck 1652 other than I have a center console. What motor are you running? Is it a tunnel hull?

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[Target]

Motor is a 60/40 4 stroke mercury, and yes there's a tunnel.

 

[Stumpalump]

I love it. I'll have a jet one day. What's your opinion of the hydroturff?

 

[Target]

so far I really like the hydroturf. It provides good cushion and grip. I just hope it holds up and doesnt start peeling. For some reason I am skeptical that the corners and edges will stay glued, even with 3M super 90.

 

[JL8Jeff]

so far I really like the hydroturf. It provides good cushion and grip. I just hope it holds up and doesnt start peeling. For some reason I am skeptical that the corners and edges will stay glued, even with 3M super 90.

I put some flooring down on my boat last year and used the outdoor contact cement. It's all peeling/lifting along the edges and kind of shrunk so regluing won't fit as well as it first did. My boat sits out in the weather at the dock for 7 months so I'm not really surprised. It's a bummer but it's still more comfortable than walking barefoot on hot aluminum! Let us know how your hydroturf holds up this year.