Project one and done...Alumacraft 1447

[JaxJonBoat]

Wanted to post a link to my project. I looked and could not find anyone who had powder coated their whole boat so I wanted to post some pics of mine. Boat was given to me about three weeks ago by a co-worker and as you can see I have been busy, trying to get completely done by the end of spring. I think I have a good start, what think so far? I am finishing up the transom this weekend and starting the decking Monday.

Here is the link to the time line just in reverse order.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2829484103149.2113456.1440496732&type=3&l=0f01696e16

let me know if link does't work and I will post them the hard way.

 

[Bugpac]

Nice, powder is durable as heck to, I think if i were to do it i would build all my decking first then disassemble to powder, seems from my experience, a drill makes powder flake.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

I totally agree, it as a spur of the moment thing. The guy who had the equipment was selling everything including his 25 foot oven so I was on borrowed time. Only charged me $100 bucks with me helping so I jumped on it and spent all last Sunday knocking it out. We primed and top coated with a powder called super durable blue. Dupont makes it I think and it has to pass a 2000 hr salt spray, where normal powder is tested at 1000 hrs. It appears and feels rock solid, fingers crossed.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

busy day today, got the transom done!! along with coating the rear bench. starting to look like a boat again. transom has 3/4 inch blue composite board sandwiched between two 1/4 inch aluminum plates, a little heavy but seems very strong and will never rot. all stainless hardware with 5200 sealing everything, by the way 5200 is some messy stuff but seems to work well.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2829484103149.2113456.1440496732&type=3&l=0f01696e16

 

[gouran01]

looks dang good!

 

[JaxJonBoat]

quick timeline to date.....three weeks into it. this week trying to decide on floor material

 

[JaxJonBoat]

 

[JaxJonBoat]

 

[fool4fish1226]

Lookin good any more updates

 

[JaxJonBoat]

I ordered a HF Boat trailer day before yesterday as I am at the point where I need to put it on a trailer in case I need to take it somewhere and it should be here sometime next week. Today I am picking up the material to enlarge my side gate and move it forward closer to the front of the house, this will allow me to store it on the side of the house out of site as my HOA does not allow boats hehe. I will post pics of the trailer build as I will be modding it a little to fit my needs. Once it is on the trailer, the floor and front storage will go in along with the wiring. Then it will be off to the Honda dealer for a 15-20hp, have not decided on which yet because they weigh the same. Obviously this is the major investment for this boat so I want to get it right and not be let down. Thank goodness the wife suggested I get a brand new motor, hehe, if she only knew.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

working on custom side gate today. should be interesting as i am no carpenter. pics will follow

 

[JaxJonBoat]

Finished the side gate today, Got tracking info for the HF boat trailer, will be here thursday, so i know what i will be doing next weekend. A friend gave me a minn kota turbo 65 today, so i might play around with that until i get the outboard.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

The HF boat trailer came a day early, whoohoo!!!

will be building it tomorrow after work

 

[BeerAndBait]

Nice gate bud.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

thanks!!! it turned out better than i expected and latches from the inside. should have done it long ago and i was able to put my golf cart back there too now and free up some room in the garage, it used to sit in the garage where that grey carpet is with the trailer parts sitting on top. made the wife happy too, thats always a bonus.

 

[Loggerhead Mike]

That's one sweet p/c setup

Boat looks great

 

[hendo]

Nice paint job Jax. Is that automotive paint, base coat and clear or single stage paint?

 

[JaxJonBoat]

thanks guys, yeah it turned out above my expectations. My friend has a 25' oven and large hangers as you can see in the photos. the shop is at his house, how nice is that!!!! we used a two stage powder coat system. first we degreased and acid cleaned the hull, then used aluminum oxide primer powder, half baked it then while it was still hot applied the DuPont ultra durable blue top coat powder, they melt together and form one single bond that way. then we did the final bake to 400 degrees for 15 mins. The DuPont powder has to pass a 2000 hour salt spray test while normal powder usually only has to test to 1000 hrs. they should all come from the factory this way. this stuff is hard as a rock and we did a test piece that we bent a full 180 to make sure it would not peel off, it stayed on perfectly. time will tell as i haven't seen anyone powder the whole boat, hopefully it will last.

 

[JaxJonBoat]

got my trailer 90% complete tonight, still have to mount lights, wench support, jack and figure out the design for the bunks. no issues at tag agency today getting it registered, cost $60 bucks tho, ouch. should have it all done by Saturday with boat sitting on top. Also watching a few motors on ebay.

 

[hendo]

Great detail. It should last forever. I am trying to get my thought together because I am going to start my project soon. Just trying to find a good price on a boat package deal.