Building out duck boat

[Wetwoodshunter]

I got up early today and set up lights to spray more paint. I’m calling the exterior camo done. It turned out exceptional.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Today I adjusted how the boat sits on the trailer. It sits more like it should. I am planning to flip the boat this afternoon and start on the bottom coat.

[Wetwoodshunter]

My neighbor helped me flip the boat this afternoon. I was hoping to start with the gator glide but looking at the bottom it needs a little prep work and dry time before I coat it.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I took a few days of prep to fill all pitting on the bottom and throughly clean the bottom. I brought my garage up to 70 degrees and applied GatorBase this morning. 6 coats (1/2 gallon) took me 3 1/2 hours before work, I mixed it in small batches and my boat has a lot of contours which was a pain. This is a cool product and it went on really thin per layer but integrated very well.

I’m going for 3 days cure time then prep and add GatorGlide over the top 5-6 thin coats. (1/2 gallon)

[Wetwoodshunter]

GatorGlide went on this morning.

[full choke]

Looking good! Way to stick with the project! 
This is a big project, and you are stating the course. Good job.

[BD1]

It is coming together nicely. My son and I installed a lightbar on the bow of our boat the other night. Nothing quite as gut wrenching as drilling into a brand new boat  but it turned out great. Keep the pictures coming.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I cut off the rollers and mounted the new hardware for the bunks. The boat is now on bunks and boy is that GatorGlide slippery stuff.

Motor went back on the boat too. Next steps is fuel lines and electrical. I also have to figure out how to mount new trailer lights. No metal was left from the original brackets.

[Kola16]

This is the bracket my EZ Loader trailer uses for lights. Looks like yours did too. The J-bolt is what holds the bracket to the trailer. The 'J' hooks to the bolt in the trailer beam. It isn't great in my opinion, but it's functional.

[Wetwoodshunter]

This is the bracket my EZ Loader trailer uses for lights. Looks like yours did too. The J-bolt is what holds the bracket to the trailer. The 'J' hooks to the bolt in the trailer beam. It isn't great in my opinion, but it's functional.

I think this is an exact replacement. My q bolts are still intact on the trailer. I think I’m going to try cutting a 3” piece of angle iron and drilling holes in it. I want to use the boat Sunday for a hunt. I may order from EZ loader when I order new fenders too.

I appreciate you sourcing the part for me!

[Special T]

I have carpeted side bunks on my boat trailer. I launch in rivers and tidal affected areas and it makes life much easier. I also mount my lights off the bunks so they dont get hooked on as much stuff nor go in the water as often. I also took some metal grating and welded it to the trailer so that when launching or retrieving in difficult situations i can walk 1/3 way down the center of the trailer to retrieve or launch the boat. gator glide might reduce the need for that but now would be the time to do that project. 

[full choke]

I have carpeted side bunks on my boat trailer. I launch in rivers and tidal affected areas and it makes life much easier. I also mount my lights off the bunks so they dont get hooked on as much stuff nor go in the water as often. I also took some metal grating and welded it to the trailer so that when launching or retrieving in difficult situations i can walk 1/3 way down the center of the trailer to retrieve or launch the boat. gator glide might reduce the need for that but now would be the time to do that project. 

I was just going to say the same thing as special t. Side bunks and mount the lights up high off of them. Keeps them out of the water for the most part.

Project is looking good.

[Wetwoodshunter]

@full choke @Special T do either of you have a picture. I can get a set of side bunks for $50 that may be a good option. I already bought waterproof LEDs but they can go anywhere.

[92xj]

99.674% of trailer wiring issues is because the trailer frame is used as the ground and the ground wire that comes out of the lights attaches to the frame either at the light bracket itself or some place within a few feet of the light with a self tap screw.  Eliminate this and run a full trailer length ground wire from your lights, with you other wires, to the tongue and plug.  Ground through the plug and you will never have trailer light issues again.  (as long as you run quality lights that have a water proof housing)   I do this with all my trailers now, boat or not, and never deal with annoying trailer light problems anymore. 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I took a step backwards to take a step forwards. I pulled the floors and installed the new fuel line and fuel filter. I also took the opportunity to put another coat of pain on all the edges of the floorboard.

I’m probably going to have to install and remove the floor one more time because I want to hunt it Sunday and my wires won’t be here yet.

That awesome fiberglas gas tank I painted also doesn’t fit below the bow. Looks like I’ll be painting up some 6 gallon tanks instead. I think the room in the boat is more important than fuel capacity.

I also went and got new registration decals for it yesterday.