Restoring jonboat- questions and advice...Pictures posted

[Nanichito]

Hi there,
I've read so much useful information, I'm ready to tackle my boat restoration. First of all does any one have any information about a 1978 Eldocraft; Eldosport V. I have owned this boat since I was in High School and want to fix it up and take her fishing (+/- 21 years later).
All I know is that it can hold a max 25 hp. It's 15 foot. 15" transom. Just wondering any new info I could attain that y'all could offer, thus assist my endeavour!

So here are my questions? Add any advise that you can. More pics below!

1. Has any one seen a raised deck on this particular model.
2. If I do build raised deck, how will the weight affect it. What can I get away with.
3. I do plan on buying new motor. 25 four stroke or 20 two stroke. Any comments.
5. I currently have a wireless 50lb thrust trolling motor. Is this over-kill?
6. I want to paint. Any recommendations on paint for hull and inside walls. Tuffpaint., etc.!
7. What do you think of a jack plate. Can I attain better performance out of my motor?
8. Big question. Once foam is waterlogged, if dried is it still good or do I have to buy new foam? Where do I buy new foam? Should I even bother?
9. I plan on working on this for 4 month so I want to learn the most I can before commencing with major aspect of project.

Thank y'all in advance and God Bless!

Nanichito

Lake Bridgeport, Republic of Texas!!!!!!

 

[sschefer]

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

HI there,
I've read so much useful information, I'm ready to tackle my boat restoration. First of all does any one have any information about a 1978 Eldocraft; Eldosport V. I have owned this boat since I was in High School and want to fix it up and take her fishing (+/- 21 years later).
All I know is that it can hold a max 25 hp. It's 15 foot. Just wondering any new info I could attain that y'all could offer, thus assist my endeavour!

So here are my questions? Add any advise that you can. Pics will follow.


Thank y'all in advance and God Bless!

Nanichito

1. Has any one seen a raised deck on this particular model.
A. Can you post a picture of it?

2. If I do build raised deck, how will the weight affect it. What can I get away with.
A. Depends on what you have to put underneath it for support. Again, a picture would help us help you.

3. I do plan on buying new motor. 25 four stroke or 20 two stroke. Any comments.

A. Personally I'd go with a 25 4 stroke the weight difference isn't all that much anymore.

5. I currently have a wireless 50lb thrust trolling motor. Is this over-kill?

A. Nope, just about right. People and manufactures from what I've seen tend to recommend sizes based on pond trolling. You get out on a lake with waves and wind and you'll be glad you have that extra umpfff..

6. I want to paint. Any recommendations on paint for hull and inside walls. Tuffpaint., etc.!

A. If this is your first, then stick to the easy 1 part paints. They will not hold up as well but are easier to apply and maintain over time. Try to stick with marine grade paints. Rustoleum has them now and there's also Interlux, Petit, Epifane, etc.

7. What do you think of a jack plate. Can I attain better performance out of my motor?

A. Jack plates are most benificial on Bass boats and deep V fishing over 16'. Anything under that really doesn't benefit from the added expense. Order your 25 with shallow water drive and that should be all you need.

8. Big question. Once foam is waterlogged, if dried is it still good or do I have to buy new foam? Where do I buy new foam? Should I even bother?

A. I've never seen any that waterlogged that wasn't bad. There are a ton of foam options. I can't even begin to make a proper recommendation for your boat. Do a search on floatation foam and try to make a decision from there. I took mine out and replaced it with pool noodles from a local Pool Supply outfit. The guy thought I was having a pool party in the middle of winter when I ordered 50 of them.

9. I plan on working on this for 4 month so I want to learn the most I can before commencing with major aspect of project.

A. Good, you have a goal and a time line. With boats, patience is a virtue. Number 1 rule, don't sacrafice quality for a slipping timeline. It's better to miss a season and run for many thereafter than it is to hurry up and run for this season only.

 

[Nanichito]

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Excellent start,I do intend to post pics of the boat as a starting time line as well so that others may help me with the project. Hopefully by this time next week I will have the boat in my garage at home and will be able to work on it every day for two to three hours, before I head out to work!
Thanks and keep it coming!
nanichito

 

[Nanichito]

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

I Finally have pictures of the jon boat I am restoring, it looks worse than it really is, but I am starting with trailer safety first, so that I can move it into my garage and work on it as much as possible. My second goal is to figure out if I am going to add a deck or just the fiber-glass boxes with seats on them (see picture: original way). Following that will be the electrical wiring. After, I have to decide weather new carpet of paint on the inside.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
As soon as I do the trailer work I will post pictures.
Thank you!

 

[chrishayes]

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

are those FG seat bases the tops of a outdoor dog kennel?lol!

If I were you I would hold off on the electrical until you get the interior of the boat sorted out. There will inevitably be things that you will add that you will then have to re-plan around. Not to mention all the wiring will be in the way when and if you go to paint. Just my .02.

 

[Nanichito]

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Re: New project - questons and advice...please

Thats funny, it does look like dog kennels...but I am fairly sure they are not..LOL

And thanks you make a good point, I'll take your advice on waiting for the electrical. See, those are the wise pointers I was expecting from the forum. Thank you!

Nanichito

 

[Nanichito]

Re: Restoring jonboat- questions and advice...Pictures posted

I was inspecting the fiberglass supports for the seats and they seam brittle to me. Can UV degrade fiberglass over time? I am thinking of just putting some pedestal seats instead, but don't want to waste money if the fiberglass is safe.

Also my trailer has a slight bend at the hitch. Seems to work fine, would it be fine to let it be!

Thannk and God Bless1

Nanichito

 

[Nanichito]

Help with transom!

Help with transom!

It's been a while since I posted due to some family health issues that were more important than the boat. But I have the boat at home and have it stripped down. One problem howeveris the transom wood needs replacing, and it is hard to get to. Any one have any recomendations? I am planning on cutting the aluminum that covers the transon in the cleanest way possible and replace the wood, then weld and rivet all the pieces back, unless someone has some better advise. I have pictures attached.
Also, I made some more measurements and the beam is 60 inches on top and 46 on bottom. Would any one recomend against a flat deck with these specs. I am 6"1 and weight about 215 and my fishing partners generally weight about the same or less. I plan on istalling a 25 hp 4 stroke on her when finished!
Thanks for the advise!!
Nanichito

 

[a7x386]

Re: Restoring jonboat- questions and advice...Pictures posted

I have this exact same boat. mine is in a bit worse condition though. i dont have a outboard control all i have is a mariner 25 outboard and a steering wheel that i dont even know if it works. my hull has 2 cracks in it that i need to have welded. i stripped all the indoor outdoor carpet and everything and im stripping the paint right now.



any suggestions on what i should get or do?