Flat Bottom Jon Conversion

[SLob-O]

Just wanted to share my build with the many people who helped me along the way with their pics and info.

Boat = Alumacraft 1470 flat bottom
Engine = 1980's 25hp Johnson (electric start)
What Done = added front and rear decks with storage, seat pedestals, bow mount trolling motor, lights, and stereo
Time took from start to finish = 5 weekends
$ spent = aprox $1800


I made the frame out of aluminum angle and square tube. Riveted supports to boat ribs and tig welded the rest. Carpet was from Home Depot, great price and easy to install.

 

[Jim]

nice project man! I like the setup! :beer:


and :WELCOME: now lets see some fish!

 

[etindoll]

Looks great nice job.

 

[SLob-O]

Thanks guys! I've taken her out maybe 4 times since I finished her and have pulled in a few snake northerns. This weekend is the big test... heading up to Hayward WI for some bass and walleye

 

[truckhuntfish]

hayward is musky country

 

[SLob-O]

You bet! Just not the lake I'm going to. That's another trip in the fall!

 

[ober51]

Can I ask a favor? Can you show the bracing for the back deck? I need to fab up the back deck and would like to see how you did it. Thanks!

 

[SLob-O]

Sorry for the late reply but here are some shotty views of the rear. If they don't do the trick I'll take some pics this weekend and get them on here for you.

I also have a drawing of a top view that may help


let me know if you need more pics/info

 

[GvilleBlackBeard]

Looking good!

 

[SLob-O]

Well, here are some pictures of some fish I've pulled in the boat since I finished her... I definitely think the changes to the boat allowed me to get these fish. The ease of getting into spots I couldn't before, and the hands free trolling make fishing muuuuuch easier and way more enjoyable.

If you click the link and it doesn't work, just copy paste the entire link in your browser, not sure why they aren't working properly


https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/CopyofIMG_20110627_194836.jpg
https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/IMG_20110623_185218.jpg
https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/KVDAVATAR.jpg
https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/IMG_20110623_192710.jpg
https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/IMG_20110618_072724.jpg
https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/joeblob7/Fishing%202011/IMG_20110615_174856.jpg


Tight Lines!

 

[mightymite45]

I like the setup,thinking of doing mine alot like that except using all aluminum. Good job!

 

[SLob-O]

Thanks. You mean aluminum flooring too? I was thinking of going that route but I didn't have the $$$ to.
Every step was custom and if you get all the materials and tools it shouldn't take you long at all.

Good luck, and post some pics!

 

[bt4264]

Man, those Pike are strange looking to a southern Louisiana boy.......how's the table fare on them? Were those considered small/average/large???

 

[SLob-O]

Yeah, they are a beautiful fish. The biggest one in the pictures is 33" and that's my personal biggest. That would be considered a "decent sized" fish. They can get up to 45 + inches. They taste great! Only thing is they have to have size to them so that when you take out the "Y" bones you have meat left. IMO I think the best eaters are 25" + and if any smaller I would just pickle them because you don't have to remove the Y-bones, they just dissolve in the pickling juice. The little ones are pretty easy to catch, but the big ones are far and few between.