Thread: Need Help - Project Boat

I purchased an 18' Jon boat so that it would be better for three of us (Dad, buddy, & I) to fish from instead of the bass boat. It is an empty hull with 3 pedestal seats. I plan to move one seat up on the deck and better space the remaining two. Please look at the pictures and give me some ideas on how to make this boat better. I am in need of a trolling motor and a depth finder. If you have something you are getting rid of please let me know. Thanks.

Looks like an old PolarKraft. I've got a 16 foot just like it. I'll see if I can get you some pics of what I've done to mine. May take a few days. My 2 cents, I'd put at least two brackets for seats up on the bow. I'm getting ready to remodel mine, and put three receivers across the bow, that way my dad and I can sit up there together while we are trolling down in MS. Like I said, give me few days or a week, as I still have the boat blind on my boat.

I'd like to see that. I took the blind off of this one. It's laying in the shed & need to get rid of it.

I bought a 14ft v bottom for my daughter and I on a tight budget and did the best I could to turn it into something to be proud of. My friends thought I was crazy because I bought it the same week that our second child was born and couldn't figure out how I got a way with it so like I said, I was on a budget.

Adding a very shallow carpeted floor was probably the best thing I did and then up front where the deck is, I added a nice cooler flush with the front deck and the space under it would otherwise have gone wasted. I also have a small opening up front just big enough to tuck my anchor and rope away when I'm not using them.

I just picked up a couple of rod holders which have been needed because I always seem to be setting my rods down in order to help my daughter do something (take a fish off, bait her hook, etc) and this will be another cheap upgrade (2 for $17 from Cabelas.com).

Good luck with the project, I sure have had fun with mine. I'll try to find some photos and post them to show you what I did.

I'd get rid of that front deck for more room, take out all seats, go to junk yard and get some luke bond to make nice floor or if ya cain't find luke bond use 3/4" marine plywood and get some GOOD, heavy marine/outdoor carpet, not that home improvement store crap. Don't know where you are but Benton carpet has the good stuff. Install 3/4" pin pedestals where ever ya want em. A 50# foot control oughta work up front. You can get a good MinnKota deal sometimes @ grizzly jig. Their recon motors are actually overstock but still new w/ 1yr warranty. Looks like ya might need a larger trailer with at least 13" tires. That 18' will get mighty heavy w/ 3 man gear.

I mounted one of my seats to the top of a cooler so i had a place for food and drinks,and someone could sill sit there and fish with out taking up alot of space.And the best part is who ever sits there has to hand out drinks all day!:D And if only 2 people go u can pull it out of the boat.

If you are plannin on doin a lot of Trollin, I would put in a 3 Pedistal pegs up on the front deck and a couple of Driftmaster rod holders . Keep the back seat for drivin. Leave the middle open for coolers and etc. Definately put down some type of flooring. Either plywood with carpet or Non Skid surface

I agree with previous post to put a floor in. For mine I used a sheet of the pink insulation you can get from menards, cut to fit between aluminum ribs and put the plywood on top screwing to the ribs. This will allow you to got thinner (lighter) on the plywood because the sheets of insulation will give more support. The insulation comes in many thicknesses so you can get one that comes to top of the ribs pretty closely. It's also inexpensive and you not only save weight but may also save money if you got to 1/2" plywood.

The pink insulation is a closed cell which means it won't absorb water like others.

Last tip, you can never have enough storage space...when I did mine, I had redone the front deck to allow more access and space.

Good Luck

Thanks for the tips....keep the ideas coming!

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