My aluminum boat rebuild

[speck tackler]

I have had more fun with this. I had been looking for an inexpensive used boat for some time, but could not find what I was looking for, anywhere near my price range. Solution...

I bought a 1974 16' EldoCraft jon boat (boat only), for $150, and went to work. Though it wasn't much to look at, the boat was in excellent shape. Very few, very minor dents and dings. No holes and not a single leak. The only structural problem was the rotten transom.

I sanded the boat (inside and out), replaced the wood in the transom, sprayed on a self-etching aluminum primer, and topped that with a good quality marine grade aluminum paint. I picked up some camo stencils off the internet and applied the camo job with good old rattle-can spray paint. I floored and decked the boat with 3/4" marine grade plywood, coated with Tuff Coat non-slip marine floor coating. I hinged the deck lid, to give me plenty of dry storage.

I already had the trailer, trolling motor and fish finder (from my last boat). My rod holders (don't laugh... they were free) were given to me. I bought the 1998 25hp electric start Johnson. All-in-all, I've got about $1,500 in the rig. However, more important than that is the enjoyment I got out of this project. I have never done anything like this before (never even held a paint spray gun in my hand before). If I didn't LOVE this boat, I might be looking to pick up another used boat and start all over!!! :D:D:D

Here are a few pics (before, during and after)...







There are a few additional pics at...

Boat Build pictures by speck-tackler - Photobucket

Let me know what you think.

[haus]

That looks good, I'm about to post a picture of what I've been working on.

[GCD]

You did an excellent job!

Hard to believe it's the same boat!

[shipahoy41]

Very nice job.

[Redy2Fish]

That really looks good!

[rcfillingham]

Thats awesome. Good old American ingenuity!

[Dhawk]

Great job. Looks like a great fishing machine!

[Crestliner08]

Great job! Looks awesome. Congrats!

[jaxsprat]

I like, you should be proud that's a excellent rebuild job.

[JET4]

looks good, nice job