Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Is that your Ankona Dave? Looks like its got all the flats skiff bells and whistles.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

.....no.....but I wish! I saw this pic online and like the color......hopefully someday my build will look half as good!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

So of course, I picked these last 2 days...a hot ones....to get the transom in.....got it all fabricated day before and glued it in with thickened epoxy today in 85 deg ....so had to move fast! Waiting for it to set up a little more and then I'll go add some more PB fillets around the perimeter.....but it's in !!!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Cleaning up the transom....getting it ready to tab in with glass at hull....

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Niiiiiice! Coming right along. Once the transom and stringers are set up you can really start making some progress. She'll be a boat in no time! I like the raised transom too. Kinda wish I'd done that during my rebuild. It will help reduce water coming in over the stern when coming off plane quickly, you can use more modern long shaft motors and it looks nice. Keep us posted.....

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ya, I would like to be putting the floor in this next week.....and even start some bulkheads! I may actually add a curved raised top to the center area of transom as i finish it up ....to jack my outboard a little higher yet......I'd not bother with the manual jack plate as originally planned....but do need to get the cav plate a little higher than bottom of boat....as it stands now it would be about an 1" below.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Yeah, I'd skip the jack plate too. You have a chance to build a transom to fit, which is always best. I Twill look nice and clean too. Here are a couple similarish starcraft runabout/AT conversions into center console skiffs.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I'm pretty sure now I will go with the Rustoleum paint and get it mixed to match the pastel SeaFoam color I want....as suggested here..... Actually, I painted my 12' runabout with Rusty paint about 5 yrs ago and it still looks great....gets a lot of use, out in use in the sun & rain everyday of the season and banging around .....and I just used the rattle cans with the attachment handle spray too!!!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I like Rustoleum too. I use the old school Oil Based enamel on all of my wood work and it has help up great, considering it sits outside year round under little more than a tarp. Best of all. it's readily available should you ever need to do touch ups. I also found that thinning the first few coats really helped it soak in nicely. Some folks will even add a bit of hardener to the top coats for good measure.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Questions regarding PL vs PB for bedding my floor....... Will PL stick to the cured epoxy on the stringers and underside of deck with just a sanding to ruff it up???

I'm considering using the PL Premium instead of thickened epoxy.....can I walk on the deck in 12-24 hrs later or do I need to stay off it for 72 hrs ???

I'm thinking of going the PL route to save some mixing thickened epoxy and to control the bead of adhesive on the stringer tops ( I'll have plenty of that in tabbing deck in ) ....I would later remove screws used to clamp floor down....then drill out holes and inject with epoxy resin.

Any comments appreciated!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I think the PL will be fine. I know several fols have used it to glue the layers of their transom together as well. Besides, once the deck is on top, it won't be going anywhere.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

IMHO you need to grind the gel off the hull sides about 6-8 more inches and run your tabs out further. That's where the majority of the strength of your transom install will come from is these tabs. 3-4 inches is not enuf!!!! Pre drill the deck holes, fill with epoxy, coat the screws, use regular ext deck screws, screw the deck down, "FUGGITABOTIT"

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

WOG- I did add more glass at transom....I have 3 layers of glass, each larger than previous....extending 6". I did not grind the gelcoat further since it is in very good condition....I did rough it up with 60 grit and cleaned well with TPS wet sand beforehand and acetone after all sanding....epoxy seams to stick well. I plan to overlap 8" all sides and hull with the 17oz Biax mat when I cover the transom too.

Ya, I like your suggestion on the screws.....leaving them in as mech fastening coated with resin.....keeps it simple.

So I have the floor roughed in.....have to do more prep yet....sand/bevel plywood edges to hull, finish packing foam in and a complete wet sand for blush and then sand for tooth and give hull and structure one last coat of epoxy resin....resin coat the underside of ply and then put floor in with the PL ......that should keep me busy this weekend!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

@*#*@@*##* Sorry FcDave, I keep forgetting you're using Epoxy. It all sounds and looks good. Please excuse the Old Dumb Okie's forgetfullness!!!:facepalm:

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

WOG.....that's ok.....I need someone keeping an eye on me these days as this is my first time rebuilding a plastic boat!

A few yrs back, When I was building a wood boat with epoxy....I did some tests on my trial glued joints & coatings.....I took the piece & put it in boiling water for an hour, then in the freezer overnight....repeated this about 4 times .....everything held up .....then finally after taking a sledge hammer to it, only after several blows did the something break.....but it wasn't the actual glue joint....the wood split apart just off the glue joint! ....so I know the epoxy is tenacious with wood......but with fiberglass and plastic, it is all new to me! I guess it sticks to everything!!! .....just as long as its prepared well !

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I used epoxy a lot when I was in the Pool business and it is a great adhesive. Prep is the key. If it has something to "Bite" into, it takes a lot to tear it loose.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Finally have my floor in and gassed.....2 layers taped over PB fillet thickened with chopped Strand at perimeter and 9oz cloth over deck. This weekend hope to finish glassing in transom and then start the bulkheads and decks next week! Progress!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Lookin' good, lookin' good! Have you decided on a final layout and choice of motor?

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Now that I have a floor, I'll try a cardboard mockup of decks, bulkhd and seating I have in mind.....basically a 36" flush deck at stern with a small splashwell, then a lower bench seat with side console, then open floor area for portable cooler/seat, then 40" raised deck/platform about 6"-8" lower than bow deck(probably match bench seat hgt),& bow deck of 24". I would put a live well in forward raised platform and keep portable gas tank under bench seat...and battery astern of tank and bulkhead at bench seat back. Trolling mtr at bow deck with battery under raised platform....forward of live well.

For now I may just put my 10 hp Johnson tiller I have laying around....maybe put the 15 hp carb on it....once I finish completely I had in mind a new 25 or 30 ETec or Merc??? Probably do some shopping this coming winter/spring....if I don't get a yr end deal this fall? ....

I'm running out of time....it will be 49 deg here tonight....so I may only get a primer coat on the boat by time I head south (around 10/16) ....and then do finish paint at fl house. I'm hoping to get all the bulkheads, decks and finish fairing by end of this month!!!

Trailer needs new tires & wheel bearing, repair rollers and bunks and a quickie paint job too! It's the trailer that came with boat ....old painted steel relic....won't last long with salt water bathing.....I'll try to pick up an alum rig later in fl since I plan to keep the boat there mostly.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

49 degrees, Clesius I hope!!! It was 92 F here this afternoon I'd love a 30hp tiller Etec myself, but I'd have to sell a kidney or three to do that. Keep the pics coming. I hope it stays warm enough for you to use your glass and resin