My new boat.. Lone Star 14ft V-hull

[Fishing Frenzy]

Hey Tinboaters,
Just bought my first boat a few days ago, a Lone Star 14ft V-hull. This thing has seen better days but I picked it up for $250 bucks (Great price in Alberta!). So I can't really complain. Im going to keep this build sweet and SIMPLE. Current plans: rod holders, swivel seats, strip and paint, tackle storage under driver seat, POSSIBLY a front deck with pedestal - have to take this thing out for her maiden voyage to see how stable it is..other than that I am open to idea's but I want to keep the floor plan open.
Here's some pics..
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060208.jpg
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060207.jpg
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060206.jpg
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060205.jpg
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060202.jpg
https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060197.jpg

And here's a pic of the transom.. I pulled all the old rusted out bolts out of this thing today with the plans of replacing the board. Only to find that....
A. the board is stuck in..almost feels glued...
B. Even if I could move the board down, I would not be able to get it out due to the shape of the bottom of the boat.

Now, I would still like to get the board out but I have never done any riveting work in my life so I would rather not start drilling rivets out, and trying to replace them and what not. Upon further board inspection the wood isn't actully rotten in any way its just beat up and weathered. Its still VERY solid. So my plan is to fill all the chips in the board, then take a belt sander and smooth it out, then give it a coat of spray paint in whatever color I choose before coating all exposed parts with a good coat of spar urethane.
Does this sound like it will work? Does anyone know of a way I can get the board out (and put a new one in) without removing rivets?? I'd still LIKE to get it out, but the plan stated above is my probable plan of action.

https://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/FishinFrenzy/P9060204.jpg
Couple questions for fellow tin boaters. I would like to remove all the paint from the inside and outside, what is the best way to do this? Im assuming paint stripper, can someone reccomend an AFFORDABLE paint stripper for doing this? Also is it okay to use a wire wheel on an angle grinder for certain areas?
Also, I want to attach swivels for seats, can I do this without access to the under side of the seat? The seats are filled with a block of floatation foam held in place with two aluminum bars, one rivet on each end of the bar..if that makes sense. I could drop the foam blocks out if I have too but I would rather not.

One more thing, I have no power for this thing yet. Im looking at getting an older 9.9 for it. The boat is rated for 12hp. Will it be underpowered with a 9.9 and two or three smaller guys? Im not adding too much weight in decking or anything and I just have one deepcycle so I figured it should plane out pretty easy with two guys, and WILL plane out with three guys provided the weight is positioned properly. I also have a deal on a NICE 8hp honda 4-stroke.. would this have significantly less power than a 9.9?

Can't think of any other questions tonight...man am I excited to get this project underway!!!!!

PS: Sorry the pics aren't embedded, they were too big and I dont have time to resize all of them...

 

[Jay D]

Dont know much but my experience with my 14' richline and a 9.9 and 15hp sea king motor. If you add weight in mods, gear and 1 guy 9.9 will plane you at about 12 mph, add 1 more guy and it wont plane it gets 8 mph. The 15 will push mine up to 16-18 mph with 1 guy and about 15 with 2. The lonestar is similar to mine. 8 hp is too small iMO.

 

[Fishing Frenzy]

Thanks Jay D,


So Tinboaters,
NEW problem. I want to mount folding swivel seats onto the benches, I am wondering what the best way to do this is? The underside of each bench is filled with floatation foam. The only way I can think of to bolt seats on is, to cut a chunk of the foam out, giving me a large enough hole to put the nuts on. Then I can put the block of foam back in with some glue. I can't think of any other way to securely mount a seat. Any suggestions? Also, is it okay to mount directly to the bench? Will this cause the aluminum to crack or bend/strech???

One other random question, has anyone ever had luck getting spar urethane to stick to paint? It says on the can it wont but I wouldn't mind sealing my transom board with it....however I already painted the board.


Thanks!!!