1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

[Decker83]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

You made quick work of the trailer. Looks great.
If I had to pick work or fish, Well now? Would be hands down and go fishing.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Pretty sure Ethan could successfully powerload that thing with those guide posts on there!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Great job on the trailer Jas...

TII

LOOOOOOking GOOOOd!

Thanks boyz!

Trailer looks good, but how are you going to be seen with that ghetto boat on that fancy trailer?

I know, that ol rig looks terrible up there doesn't it:facepalm:

I love this boat, and I think the trailer is looking awesome... However, as a pure bred southern red neck, I must say that the existing paint job is one of the worst attempts at camoflauge I have ever seen... Yeah, let's see, let's throw a few yellow mustard streaks on top of that faded baby blue and the ducks will never see us....????

Now that I have seen the trailer all shiny and white, I have to re-up my vote for a white paint job...

It's going to look great!!!... and I can't wait to see at all cleaned up and ready to fish...

Have a good one, my friend!

-rpm

Yah, that camo job is something special aint it

Yup, the SmokerCraft will be white over bare alum (brushed). I do think it'll look pretty sharp Cheers buddy!

You made quick work of the trailer. Looks great.
If I had to pick work or fish, Well now? Would be hands down and go fishing.

Maybe I can score some fish slime on the hull this weekend? I hope!

Pretty sure Ethan could successfully powerload that thing with those guide posts on there!

Yah baby! Love those giant guide ons!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

K, here's a quick video on the trailer rebuild...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Just a rough plan on the transom...

So yah, rotten transom sandwich, with extra cheese!

Rock on!

 

[maddiedog]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Trust me...you will see WAY more Ghetto boats than that this weekend. If it floats it will be out there. Make sure you get a trolling motor. It will save you a ton of hassle and put fish in the boat. Just get a 45# thrust transom one. That is all you will need unless you are able to get a bow mount on there.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Trust me...you will see WAY more Ghetto boats than that this weekend. If it floats it will be out there. Make sure you get a trolling motor. It will save you a ton of hassle and put fish in the boat. Just get a 45# thrust transom one. That is all you will need unless you are able to get a bow mount on there.

Yah, the river on opening morning = interesting flotilla

Actually, I beat ya to it! Got a Minn Kota 50# Transom Mount sitting in the garage. Minn Kota has a $50 rebate on em at the moment Should be a great match for this SmokerCraft, stay tuned on that. Thanks man

 

[maddiedog]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Have you determined where you are going to put your battery??? Sorry I just had to. You might want to consider a spare just for the river. I usually drain one in 3-4 hours depending on the wind/current. We're talking the batteries I use in my salmon boat...which by the way has fresh salmon slime/blood on her!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

fresh salmon slime/blood on her!

Love it!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

I'm just getting caught up on everyone's projects. Looks like you scored a nice little fishing boat. Hope you can make it out for the walleye opener. That is one of my favorite table fares

 

[64osby]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Nice job on the trailer, can I bring you mine. If you skipped the Walleye opener you could have it done in no time. I could pick it up on my way back from Trout opener.

My .02 on the transom. Motor force pushes, screws on the inside might not hold. Big piece on the outside, maybe full width. with your curved pieces and an inside piece, bolted through existing holes will provide more stability for your 25hp. The curved pieces would be less inclined to push forward with a larger piece on the outside.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

I hate working on trailers! So yah my friend, I wouldn't hold your breath on me working yours through!

bolted through existing holes will provide more stability for your 25hp.

Yah, I'll run some through bolts. Those will give me the strength I need to keep everything in place. Once I have every thing in place (and the OB) I'll do some yanking. If I have any question about the strength I'll not be putting it on the water and we'll just go into tear down mode

Cheers man

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

OK, so most won't care but I just gotta tell ya...

I left work for lunch, went to the Secretary of State, registered the SmokerCraft, returned to work, all within the span of 25 minutes

NO WAY! YUP! That was the easiest visit to that gubment office I have ever had!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

PA Fish & Game is super cool to work with also. Always a pleasant surprise.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

OK, you are about to see some definate RED GREEN SHADETREE boat building action here. Check it out, rotten transom sandwich...

1/2" on the inside

1 1/4" in the middle

1/2" plate on the back

Screwed, glued and through bolted up. It's strong as all get out, it'll easily last me all summer till I go into full rebuild mode when the snow flies. Just used some scrap Arauco, left over decking screws and only took me about 15 minutes to slap together.

I fully realize I am breaking all the basic rules of rebuilding boats and this looks like total garbage. It's completely legit and deserved if you jump in to hack on me at this point

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Then I mounted the Johnson 25...

Then I got the Minn Kota 50# sitting on the transom too...

Just about ready to hit the water!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

I can't believe I didn't see this thread 'til now, Jas. Man, 15 minutes and a workable, temporary transom. All you need is fish.

Edit - Did you even do any wood protection? Guess not, takes longer than 15 min. for paint to dry. It won't rot by Fall.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Ya... That'll do just fine... Might even hold the 300 HP merc!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

Thanks fellas, turned out about like her captain, sorta stout, a bunch of ugly:facepalm:

Hey, got some video of the Johnson running, hang tight on that...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1973 14' SmokerCraft Zephyr Rebuild

There's still time to get some epoxy &/or paint just to slap the ugly off the bear wood transom. Too much time, energy & effort involved on the owner to make justifiable progress on slapping the ugly off, but hey it might be fun if only for a bit. I suspect the line forms behind PMC