Lil Bitz, a 15ft john boat modifcation

[rscottp]

Pretty nifty, I can totally see how it works from that picture!

Thanks

 

[Gators5220]

Ya they are pretty expensive, I think I paid 100 bucks for the set? Although I can't be sure, but they do cut through aluminum like butter..

 

[Gators5220]

So I finally got a half day off work, and got to finish up on the back part of my boat. Basically where the gas tanks and what not sit, again I did this portion in black Herculiner because it will get some oil and what spilled on it, and black won't show it as much. I'm doing Herculiner for two reasons, first and foremost to make the boat water proofed, and secondly to reduce hull slap which can be quite bad on aluminum boats (hull slap for those that don't know is the sound from waves hitting the side of your boat). I'm also planning on carpeting the sides eventually, again to reduce hull slap.

 

[Gators5220]

Sorry again for the craipy photo quality, the light pours into the car port all day, I'll take a couple tonight to show you how the finished product came out.

 

[typed by ben]

Gators5220 » Yesterday, 18:47[/url]"]Ya they are pretty expensive, I think I paid 100 bucks for the set? Although I can't be sure, but they do cut through aluminum like butter..

ya sometimes you can get a used set for cheap on CL

new youre looking at $500 just for a set of 5 dies

 

[Gators5220]

Wow I had no idea they cost that much, I bought mine like 10 years ago from a garage sale. I knew I got a good deal on it just not sure how good of a deal...

 

[Gators5220]

Finally got a full day of working on my boat in, and got all the prep work done on the rest of the floor portion of my boat.

 

[Gators5220]

Shortly after finishing prepping I realized I really have no plans, so why not stay up a little late and roll the rest of the floor. I got it pretty much done around 10:30, and I really like the results. Hopefully tomorrow before work I can get it all back together and cleaned up, so I can take it out on the water on Saturday or Sunday.

 

[typed by ben]

man that white looks sharp. every boat ive seen it on, ive liked. i gotta show this thread to my buddy too, he just bought a similar boat and wants to work on it.

 

[Gators5220]

Thanks bud, I really dig how she turned out as well. I haven't water tested her yet, but from what I've read from guys whom have done the same to their own boats, it limits hull slap. Which if your flats fishing is the nose wakes make against your boat. I also had to put a new fuel pump in the boat today, simple job, and the old Yamaha works like a champ again. I also had both of my props re-hubed and re furbished so they should cut through the water like butter.

 

[rscottp]

What is the white, bedliner also? Looks great BTW.

 

[Gators5220]

Yes sir, it's white bed liner. I didn't want to go black, obviously because it would get hot on my feet.

 

[Country Dave]

Looks great Gator,

Can't go wrong with white.................................. =D>

 

[Gators5220]

Got back from a mini vaca, and immediately tore apart all of my wood framing to get ready to rhino line the front. The wood framing was only a temporary measure to be able to fish out of this boat, and since it's tore apart aluminum framing will soon follow. Here are a few pics of the demo work.

 

[Gators5220]

Tomorrow I'm gonna try to start cleaning up the metal, then recaulk all the seems with 5200, doubtful I will get any bedliner down however.

 

[Gators5220]

Well I cleaned up all the metal on the front of my boat, sanded it with 120grit sand paper, washed it with steel wool prior to that, recaulked all the joints with 5200 caulk, and wiped it all down with acetone. Words of advice, anyone whom plans on Rhino or Herculing their boats, wipe it down with acetone and let it dry first. You would simply not believe the amount of powdery material left behind. I would have applied bed liner, however Amazon hasn't gotten them to my house, so I might not get this done till next week.

 

[rscottp]

Looking good. Does the regular 5200 come in a caulking tube? I have only seen it in the smaller size.

 

[Gators5220]

Yes sir, it comes in both smaller caulking tubes and larger ones actually. It's good stuff, it'll stick to most anything (if it's clean), and it lasts a long time. Only downside to 5200, is it's a royal pain to get off your hands if you get it on them, acetone wont even take it off.

 

[rscottp]

Gators5220 » 03 Jan 2014, 22:32[/url]"]Yes sir, it comes in both smaller caulking tubes and larger ones actually. It's good stuff, it'll stick to most anything (if it's clean), and it lasts a long time. Only downside to 5200, is it's a royal pain to get off your hands if you get it on them, acetone wont even take it off.

I have had good luck removing it with mineral spirits as long as it hasn't cured. I have been using the fast cure 5200.

 

[Gators5220]

I never tried mineral spirits I'll have to try that next time. I usually just use a throw away rag and wipe what I can away and wait for it to rub off from natural wear and tear.