Thread: My past two jon boat remodels...

Here you go, johnboatjon. I have remodeled two boats so far. The first one was my old as dirt polarkraft 1442 jon. I didn’t do much to this one. I cut out the middle seat and laid plywood on the floor. It made a huge difference in walking from the motor up to the front end. Cutting out the middle seat did make the sides somewhat flimsy, but really not enough to matter. I also added posts to get the lights up and guide boards onto trailer, which was extremely helpful. Never unplug the lights, don’t have trouble backing up without the boat on the trailer, and if you load the boat onto the trailer at night it makes it very easy. I like this boat for sculling around shallow brushpiles.

For my second remodel, I decided to get a little bit fancier and more involved. The boat was a 2003 crestliner 1448 with the mod-v, 22” sides, and livewell in the middle seat. I took it for a test run to see how it fished before I did anything. The boat sat really high in the water, so adding weight to the boat was not an issue. In fact, I wanted to add a little weight to cut down on the wind hitting those tall sides. This is how the boat started its journey…







Worked on the front deck first. I wanted the deck to recessed as much as possible but leaving me enough room for a storage space under the deck. We used beefy treated lumber to do the framing (because weight wasn’t an issue).



Added a piece of marine grade plywood to the bow. Also added nav lights (for nightstalking).


Added a livewell aerator kit with pump in the back of the boat. If I had it to do over again, I would have just put a recirc kit on the livewell.


Finished decking and framing. Left hole for a hatch.


In the front, I went with a floor light and a switch panel for the electronics (nav lights, floor lights, bilge, and livewell. You can also see the adapter for the trolling motor.

Floored the back.


Front with switch panel, hatch, and depthfinder in place.


Finished product.

That looks like fun!! I partially redid a toon boat last summer. I enjoyed the heck out of that. And, it is like I want it too.
DP

Originally Posted by DRPEPPER

That looks like fun!! I partially redid a toon boat last summer. I enjoyed the heck out of that. And, it is like I want it too.
DP

Get some pics of that toon up on the board. You might inspire me to renovate mine.

Originally Posted by gooch

Get some pics of that toon up on the board. You might inspire me to renovate mine.

I'd like to have a fold-out bed in the back, with a little asian girl that pops out to give me a massage. I'll be looking forward to the next trip on the 'toon.

Originally Posted by gooch

Get some pics of that toon up on the board. You might inspire me to renovate mine.

My toon needed some major clean up. I found out all kinds of ways to eliminate mildew. I also re did some wiring to suit myself and replaced the stereo. I will probably replace some of the furniture after next summer.
When are we gonna start on yours? I would like to get some more practice on somebody else's before I get too far along with mine.
DP

I get Kethcher to do all stuff. No wood. Lighter and no rot. They did my 1452. We put a live well at the end of the front deck and floor and sides in it.

It's bout 12 years old now. Wish I had pictures of it when it was new. People looked at me funny with a boat that short and wide.

Would love to help anyone remodel a boat.

Will have to set up a nightstalk on Ouachita some time so you guys can check out the toon. I have several things planned to spruce up the thing. It would be nice to get some others opinions and ideas before I get started.