JetJon Conversion - SeaDoo SP into 1236 Fisher

[PSG-1]

Nice work! I checked out the video, as well. There's nothing quite like the sound of a jet john project being fired up for the first time, roaring to life!!

You're going to have a LOT of fun with that boat. =D>

 

[painlesstom]

Thanks! I'm getting pretty excited about getting it out on the water, got it registered today in anticipation. Hoping to have it and the trailer ready within two weeks.

Got some more little details worked out today. I made a latch to hold the back of the seat so it won't hinge forward while I'm leaning forward, or while on the trailer. Also added lifting handles to either side of the deck, and the engine cover.

 

[painlesstom]

Made a front seat mount and finished up some details with the jet pump bilge tubing bracket. A little wiring for the electric bilge pump and getting that mounted will be my next item to tackle. Light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter.

 

[bigwave]

That thing is starting to look KILLER =D> =D> =D>

 

[painlesstom]

Thanks man, looking at it and hearing it run is getting me revved up. Got one step closer today too. Started cutting down the double jet ski trailer, to fit the Jon, and now it's 30" narrower. Width now from outside of the wheels, is 64". Still have to put new lights and wiring on, and gets the bunks installed and set. Have thought about painting it camo to match the boat, probably will. Surprisingly it didn't take too long from start to finish, only 4 hours, and in the rain at that! lol

 

[JMichael]

Nice job, don't ya just love a porta band. :mrgreen: And it looks like it's not your first time to use a welder either.

 

[painlesstom]

Thanks. Me and my porta band are good friends, and I have put a few miles of wire through my Miller Mig over the years. :mrgreen:
Tools are a wonderful thing to have.

 

[PSG-1]

Yep, I immediately recognized those as MIG welds, definitely done with solid wire and CO2 shielding gas, as they're much too clean to be done with flux core MIG.

Looks like about 140 amps, at around 24 volts for those welds.

Nice work, both on the welds, and the trailer! =D>

 

[painlesstom]

=D> Yessiree, Miller 135 on 75/25 Co2 Argon with .35 solid wire and 3M Speedglass helmet. Had to spend alot of time grinding the zinc galvanizing off the frame though... Hate that stuff when welding.

 

[PSG-1]

=D> Yessiree, Miller 135 on 75/25 Co2 Argon with .35 solid wire and 3M Speedglass helmet. Had to spend alot of time grinding the zinc galvanizing off the frame though... Hate that stuff when welding.

Yeah, galvanized is a real PITA to weld, not to mention the fumes are really bad for your health. I try to weld it outdoors when possible, but I have a Speedglass helmet with the battery powered ventilation/respirator pack for when I'm doing a lot of galvanized welding, or other hazardous locations like indoor gun ranges (lead)

My Miller MIG is a Regency 250, with a Spoolgun, as well as the SP-22-12 'suitcase' wire feeder. Also have a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC, and my road welder is a Trailblazer 251.

Aaaah, the power of blue! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[painlesstom]

Yup, glad I was outside and had the speedglass.. the ventilation pack is a lifesaver sometimes. I've often considered getting a spool gun rig for the ability to do aluminum, just haven't been able to justify the purchase yet. Maybe one day....

 

[PSG-1]

Spoolguns are almost a requirement to do aluminum, as it's a real PITA with a conventional MIG. The spoolgun itself is about 800 dollars, and then it has to have the power source, either a WC-24, or a WC-115. The WC-24 is about 350 dollars, I think the WC 115 is about 600 or so.

I'm using the WC-24 to run my spoolgun, as that runs off the Regency 250's amphenol plug. It will also run from the amphenol plug on the road welder.

But I often wish I had bought a WC-115 control box instead. With that, you don't have to run the amphenol from the machine, you plug it into any 110 volt power source, and tap off the positive lead from the welder.

Amphenol extension leads are very expensive, regular extension cords aren't.

 

[painlesstom]

Yup, I've looked into the guns and control boxes before.. Price for those items vs. the frustration they would provide trying to get a nice aluminum weld has been the brick wall I've been wanting to avoid. A friend of mine has a Syncrowave 180 TIG that's worked well for him doing aluminum, that is probably the route I would take if I ever decided to take the plunge into aluminum welding. Too bad it isn't as simple as steel... lol

It's sunny and to be in the 60's today, the river is up 7 feet and there are swamps to explore. Time to break out the Mokai and get some video. :twisted:

 

[painlesstom]

Got the trailer finished up with LED lights, a new 1-7/8 hitch so it uses the same ball as the Mokai trailer. Made up a roller system for the winch strap and bow bumper, added an eyelet to the bow too. Got the anchor system put together as well, twist a knob to release and crank it to retrieve, really nice setup from Attwood. Parts to get the electric bilge system installed will be in this week, pretty much the last thing I have to finish I think.

 

[PSG-1]

That's a neat looking windlass system! My neighbor has a similar setup on his Dixie fiberglass boat.

 

[painlesstom]

Think I've pretty much completed everything. I got a through the hull flush fitting from a Yamaha Waverunner, so I can easily hookup a hose to run the boat on the trailer without having to open the deck or engine hood. Got the bilge pump installed, auto float switch has constant power while a toggle on the console can turn it on manually. Doubt I'll ever need it, but I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. I put together a keel roller support so the bow is supported at two points before the bunks begin. Hooked it up and pulled it down to my shop to show it off and see how the trailer pulled behind the truck, felt great. Saturday is the day I get it inspected by DNR for registration, so this week I'll spend by double checking everything and running it on the hose to make sure I haven't missed anything. Need to get some rod holders and storage compartments figured out too.

 

[JMichael]

I'm guessing that you don't really intend on this being primarily a fishing boat but more of a "go riding" boat since the seats don't appear to swivel.

 

[painlesstom]

I don't need swivel seats to fish, although the front seat does swivel, I don't cast fishing for Cats and with the bottom only 36" wide it wouldn't matter too much for me either way. I did make sure the drivers seat was fixed solid, don't want that swiveling around at WOT. So.. This is my Catfish boat, I'll no doubt do my share of riding the river with it too though. This weekend is going to take forever to get here... Can't wait to get this out for some trials.

 

[TxTightLiner]

Hi,
That is a bada$$ boat for starters.
Very nice, I need one for duck hunting.
I like the anchor system where did you pick it up?
I am a big fan of catfishing, that and crappie is mostly all I fish for!
Cool paint job as well. Can you share with us how you painted it ?
Thanks keep up the good work!

 

[painlesstom]

Hi,
That is a bada$$ boat for starters.
Very nice, I need one for duck hunting.
I like the anchor system where did you pick it up?
I am a big fan of catfishing, that and crappie is mostly all I fish for!
Cool paint job as well. Can you share with us how you painted it ?
Thanks keep up the good work!

Thanks, I hope it runs as good as it's come together!

The anchor system is made by Attwood and I got it from Walmart.. lol It does not come with the intermediate pulley, you will have to acquire one separately. I made a similar setup for my Mokai, it really helps being able to retrieve the anchor quick when your in a current.

The paint job is really easy. Prep the boat and spray it all olive green, then get a palmetto frond and while holding it up to the boat dust it with khaki paint, follow up with a maple leaf or fern with brown if desired. I stuck with just the palmetto on the Jon this time. This video shows me painting my Mokai, you'll see how easy it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Bc0m48p2aSY#!