Building out duck boat

[Sundance]

For bigger holes that you cannot weld I'd recommend Pettit flexpoly. It's a 2-part mixing tube/caulk gun, expensive but does the trick. If you want to mix your own for the right "kick" then look at West Systems 655 gflex. Small holes where a less thick or runny compound is ok then check out Systems Three quick cure 5. I buy all these from Fisheries Supply, did a similar rebuild this spring on a 17' tracker.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Was that a carp shooting platform/blind in the first pic up by the bow?

Yep it’s a bow fishing platform. I took it off but I am going to mount the brackets so it can come on and off.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Transom is patched, hull is patched. The foam ate through a lot of aluminum. I went liberal with MarinTex Gray and filled in any pitting I saw along with holes. I used an aluminum grid backing to reach at least 1.5” past every hole larger than a pinhole.

I also pulled and patched some bolts from an old transducer and a low bilge pump port.

The front support for the bow platform was pressure treated. I pulled it and patched the corrosion. I’m going cut a white stud and seal it with epoxy to replace it.

[Wetwoodshunter]

The new transom was covered with epoxy and I wrapped the edges with fiberglass cloth.

Next step is clean up the inside again and apply GluvIT to all rivets and I’m going to encase where the foam came out of.

[Sundance]

looks great! I've considered using a poly uria spray-on truck bed liner on the inside and bottom of a small riveted boat I have. Only concern is bubbles/and trapping salt water against the aluminum for corrosion.

[Special T]

Was that a carp shooting platform/blind in the first pic up by the bow?

Yep it’s a bow fishing platform. I took it off but I am going to mount the brackets so it can come on and off.

Bow fishing is a hoot! Your putting a lot of work into this boat, hopefully you got it cheap. It's looking really good and I hope your able to set it up just like you want. The hours into a project like this your not gonna want to get rid of it!

[Wetwoodshunter]

Transom is installed. All new SS hardware installed on the whole boat. I also cut new support for the bow painted and mounted it all. Every bolt has 5200, nylock nuts & 2x washers with rubber gaskets attached.

This morning I started fitting the hatches in the boat.

[Wetwoodshunter]

More pictures of some progress. I used a compressor and sprayed the base coat on the inside. I’m leaving the gluvit unpainted so if I need to I can thicken it up.

I also did the base coat and tune up on the 30 hp evenrude. Compression is 150 on both cylinders. New gas, started on the third pull and ran it for 30 mins.

Appa can’t even dog after his morning hunt today.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Few more. I had some time to paint this morning. I have a lot more painting to go.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Today I cut new floor boards and got them painted. I also added brown to the camo pattern. Next step is to mount the floorboards and move on to the other camo stencil and go over the top to tie it all in.

[full choke]

I am enjoying following along on your build. I have also done a complete rebuild on a duck boat and I know how much time and work are required. Thanks for the posts- looking great so far! 

One question- the trailer looks short from the pictures. What size motor are you putting on the boat? Maybe it is an illusion, but the axle looks pretty far forward to have much weight hanging that far back?

[Wetwoodshunter]

I am enjoying following along on your build. I have also done a complete rebuild on a duck boat and I know how much time and work are required. Thanks for the posts- looking great so far! 

One question- the trailer looks short from the pictures. What size motor are you putting on the boat? Maybe it is an illusion, but the axle looks pretty far forward to have much weight hanging that far back?

I agree, the boat doesn’t fit the trailer as it is. The trailer is an easy loader from a 15’ arima. My plan is to move the winch mount forward 2’ and replace the rollers with bunks. That will significantly change how it rides on the trailer and the overhang will be reasonable.

I already made the bunks but won’t work on the trailer until I flip the boat and start rolling on gator base and gator glide. That’s a weeks process with dry time. The trailer should be a lot better set up when I am done.

I have a 30 hp 2 stroke evenrude prop that I am going to put on it. I have another 70 hp I was thinking of turning into a jet but I think that one’s going on marketplace. I think it’s too heavy.

[Wetwoodshunter]

The floor went in this morning before work. I thought I had it fitted right but it needed a little work. I also added D-rings so I can use a bungie net to keep everything in the boat.

[Wetwoodshunter]

A few more from tonight. I changed stencils and am blending it together. I think I am going to finish with 2 more colors and call it good. At this point it’s overkill.

I also realized I mounted the floor before wiring and fuel lines so the floor is coming off again.

[full choke]

 Looking really good. 
 Good job!