Avenger Bass Boat Restoration

[gm280]

Interesting idea. Your work look nice as well. Only thing I would say is, be careful of the weight. I realize you want this to be solid as a rock, but you can obtain that solid build with thinner materials as well. Once you apply the polyester and fiberglass, things gets solid really well. Using 3/4" ply for everything can add up the weight real quick. Just an idea to think about. I am sure you want this to run well and fast also. :thumb:

 

[reekhavuk]

Thank you. I guesstimate about 150 LBS more weight than before but hard to say.

 

[reekhavuk]

That crooked seat just sitting on a temp block i made, trying to get the height and location right.

 

[88evinrude]

Definitely a different design.

 

[reekhavuk]

Hey friends! Having had many trolling motors, Ive experienced the issues and pains that is trolling motor mounting bolts. Ive used the isolatting rubber type, the screwed in type even toggle bolts. All leave something to be desired. And all leave wallered out battle wound holes.

Im thinking if I glass in some high quality SS hangar bolts or all thread studs where you set the trolling motor bracket on the studs and just put some nuts on?

Anyone know a uber secret special trick to this issue? trying to avoid having 27 holes in the bow again down thru the years and a rock solid troller. Has to be a better way.

 

[Pusher]

You could put a heavy aluminum backing plate on the underside and fasten some rivnuts to it so you can go from above.

Could you adapt the cam locking weaver mounts somehow? Perhaps sink the camlock into the deck and you could sink the weaver rail onto the trolling base...? I'm not sure.

 

[gm280]

reek, there are a few ways to look at this. Trolling motors are notorious for hitting stumps and such when moving around trolling. And every one of those hits force the TM to either bend the shaft or make the mount take the brunt. A solid mount is easy to accomplish, but it will also take the brunt of those hits as well. The other side of the coin. A rubber shock type mount takes a lot of the force out of the mounting system. But it gives some as well. So it really is up to you how you want to mount it. Solid is a good idea IF the solid mount can take the force when hitting things. But understand even little hits will flex the hull that the TM is mounted to.And over time that can lead to fiberglass cracks and fatigue. So pick you poison. I honestly have on idea as to how I will mount mine yet on my boat project as well. I probably will go the rubber type insert mounts. IDK :noidea:

 

[reekhavuk]

Ok Im trying to mount my jackplate back and there is a "dip" or low spot in the middle of where the jack plate meets the transom between the upper and lower bolt. I really dont feel like glassing the entire transom to get it perfectly flat / square. Can I just mix up some PB and slather a bit on the jackplate mounting surface and put some where it meets the transom and us PB as a filler to fill in that low spot? Am I making sense? Please advise.

 

[sphelps]

How big is the dip ... I don't think pb will stick to the mount if that's what your suggesting ..I guess you could tape around the mount put some pb under the bracket and clean up the ooze around the edges then pull the tape to fill the gap .. idk ...
Pics would help ...

 

[reekhavuk]

Nah, i know it wont bond to the aluminum jack plate, i just want it to adhere to the transom to fill the gap to spread the load so the jp doesnt bend etc. Its pretty big gap prolly 3/16" or so.

 

[gm280]

Usually when you are trying to flatten out an area, you use a very wide spreader. And even a straight flat bar can work. You spread the filler, let it cure, block sand it and repeat until the area is flat. JMHO

 

[reekhavuk]

I just laid CSM in the low spots and got it even wasnt a big deal. Mounted jack plate this morning, guess what? Most people wouldnt share this. I mounted it backwards. Had to remove it flip it and remount it......sigh.

Anyways, bolted up the old Fast Strike, trimmed it way up grabed the bottom of the engine pushed down hard and you know what didnt move? The transom. Rock solid. Now back to the lids. Carpets OTW, got in the trolling motor breaker, and new Thru Hull fittings for livewell. Soon....Soon!! (tm)

Please dont rain tomorrow.

 

[gm280]

I do like the lines of your Bass Boat, but then it is a Bass Boat. What's not to like. Keep posting pictures. I am eagerly watching.

 

[reekhavuk]

Hooked up the motor controls this morning, put some gas fired it right up. Takin a lunch break then back on it.

 

[reekhavuk]

Carpet came in, there is a sale goin on with one of the big carpet websites out there. Got the 24 oz gunmetal grey, seems to be high quality. Rolled it out in the bedroom, let it get flat. Also went by the metal store bought a 3/16 piece of metal to test the stiffness on a 18.5" span. Seems to be good, might put a U channel under it before carpeting. Hope to be working on that tomorrow weather permitting. New Aerator pump is in, will snap pic of that tomorrow. New Bilge pump is in as well.

 

[reekhavuk]

Oh, also changed the "bearing carrier" seal behind the prop, had a leak on that, new oring went in. New plugs in the motor, new starter, and new trim motor. Got my "test" strip of stainless piano hinge in also to try on that piece of aluminum I got. Seems like it will work well. If tests ok tomorrow will be ordering more of the piano hinge and grabbing rest of alum for other lids.


Whats a good solution for holding down 3 of the big marine batterys and the engine battery? I was thinking 2 on each side seems like a good fit. I saw there are some THmarine double battery trays. Maybe buy 2 of those? Or just mount some straps to the floor?

 

[reekhavuk]

Bought some sheet aluminum. 1/8" aluminum is not good enough for a 14" span by itself, bows bad when stepped on. Dropping it off at welder tomorrow to have reinforcements welded to bottom sides. This deck remodel is taking more time than the entire boat did. Every step I take i have to take 3/4 of a step back.

 

[Pusher]

I am familiar with the feeling! You'll have a nice setup went done. Do you plan on anchoring the battery treat to the floor, or do you have another plan?

 

[reekhavuk]

Took the day off yesterday, fished a tournament =)
Bite was tough, won with 10.9

 

[gm280]

Oh come on. Do you really think that is fair to post pictures of caught fish when some of us haven't finished our fishing boat project yet?

Is that what fish actually look like? It has been so long since I even wet a line. When I see pictures of fish caught, I get really anxious and can't wait to get back on the water again. But it has been so long since I have fished, that I am no longer sure which end of the fishing rod you hold anymore. :facepalm:

Oh, congratulations of the first place award. :first: