Lund 14 conversion

[MadThumper]

So here I am finally after being a lurker for the better part of a year reading up on your projects, identifying potential problems, benefits, advantages to converting my boat or not converting it and the desire to convert it is stronger than I am willing to admit. I'd like to thank all members here who have fueled my imagination and helped me on my decision.
So I have taken the plunge so to say and have begun this little journey into the realm of boat conversion, I have a Lund 14 foot, I've no idea as to the model for that part has been punched out of the ID tag but suffice to say it had 3 benches the first of which is split with 2 lockers w/doors and a small type of platform at the bow.

I have owned this for a few years now and really enjoy the way this boat handles and how fast it is to get on a plane, the previous owner had replaced the transom and reinforce with a heavy welded aluminium. It has an older 1979 2 smoke Evinrude 35 Hp outboard which I like because it has yet to let me down, always starts 1st to 2nd pull.

Like many of you I have opted to remove the middle bench for obvious reasons, 1. It's a pain every time you want to go Fore and you step up on it and are about to take a plunge in cold water. 2. Its is never used, when fishing we are always Aft and Fore and never has anyone fished in the middle, 3. It takes up unnecessary space, the cooler will fit well in it's place and leave plenty room to get around it.

So out comes the middle bench , and new floor, Fore and Aft raised fishing platforms, electrical, lights, bilge and plumbing.
I would like to get this all done within the next week. As for covering the floor and platforms that will have to wait for now, I'll probably attack that come the fall just before I put the boat away.

So if you have any questions, advice etc please feel free to ask and give, I'll try to answer all of them and gladly take any advice given as well as constructive criticism

 

[MadThumper]

OK, I've stripped out the boat, am left with only the aluminium, so I've removed the foam from the center bench which was a lot easier than I thought it would be, I took a square blade shovel and pried out large sections of the stuff, took me all of 2 minutes to get that done,
Next I rolled the boat into the garage (rain this weekend) and leveled off the boat side to side and set the trailer angle to as close as the boat would naturally sit as if in the water, I want me floor to be fairly level when stationary.
So now I've lined out whats to be removed from the center bench, and yes once the cross braces were removed you can see a noticeable weakening of the sides but I'll remedy that as we go along. So on the side of the aluminium material which will be left o the boat I've cut it an inch longer and then bend those so the bulkheads will be bolted tp the left over material.

I've chosen wood to do the mods, I know aluminium is lighter and will give a longer life, yet if this mod gives me 5 years of service I'll be a happy fisherman, I'll most likely be redoing the whole with new ideas in the future and will welcome the new project,

 

[MadThumper]

Got a laser line showing where my decks will be, this is a great help, and I've started cutting out the bottom ribs, I've also cut out the rear compartments for they would be useless to my the way they are set up, I'll build new ones facing fore, I hope to make them to accommodate equipment boxes.

Once I've all my pieces cut I'll soak them in Spar and that should give the wood good life.

 

[fishin98]

Interesting....Although Lunds are very stout boats....you have a OLDER boat.....those seats and other areas you are cutting out could affect the structural integrity of the hull. Look at your rivet line any flexing of the hull could result in hull failure. I would look for a way to have a brace of some sort near the center section you removed. Are you going to install some flotation under the floor to replace the flotation foam you removed?

 

[fhhuber]

Roll stability is based largely on beam and height of the center of gravity... You have a fairly narrow boat and are moving a LOT of weight (the fishermen) up....
Then there's the hull shape.. wide flat being very resistant to rolling... but yours is like the rockers of a rocking chair.

I wouldn't put the platforms as high as you seem to be indicating with that laser line

 

[bonz_d]

Definitely a different approach. Have to agree because I run these size boats that you should rethink the height of that forward deck. Trust me, raising that much is going to make that Lund unstable in rough water with someone standing or sitting up there. Also remember that any and all weight you add to this while building is going to reduce your overall carry capacity for people and gear. Keep track of your weights.

 

[MadThumper]

Thanks for the advice. I lowered the deck to the height of the fore bench. As to the question about the removed flotation I've removed from the middle bench I'll be adding closed cell polystyrene to the side compartments. I've read in an article somewhere that adding more buoyancy to the side higher up and closer to the rear of the craft is better, less chances of capsizing if the boat gets swamped, and more buoyancy nearer the outboard for I've read that many craft if swamped should remain level yet some have sunk aft and left the forward section of the boat floating because of the outboard weight, so I'll play it safe and fill the empty spaces under the gunwale between the fore and aft benches.

As for weight, the boat is rated to 455 kgs or 1003 lbs. I know that dry 2"x4"x8' spruce which = 5.3 linear ft has a weight of 7 - 8 lbs kiln dried, green is 14 lbs
Sanded plywood 4'x8' sheets at 3/8" spruce has a weight of 28.5 lbs and 1/2" is 40.6 lbs
http://theplywood.com/weight
http://www.osbornelumber.net/weights--measures.html

The outboard is weighing in at about 100 lbs,
I'm estimating about the same for the wood, but will know more once I've cut all the peices
My friend and myself I estimate at 450 lbs
And maybe at the very most 50 lbs of fishing gear (being generous)
So we are tipping the scales at approx 700 lbs make it 800 if I include the battery and trolling motor ( again being generous) lol

The main floor is comprised of 4 2X4x8' and 1 sheet of 3/8" plywood for approx 60 lbs, this is the largest amount of wood used. All the lumber I've used has been in storage for the better part of a year, I'm giving 2 coats of ValSpar extreem weather coat, all cuts and plywood eadges have been sealed with an exterior glue to help seal it better before applying the paint thus reducing the chances of moisture rotting out the edges specially the plywood

 

[bonz_d]

Looks like that will work! You won't regret lowering that forward deck. The Lund S14 I had I put a forward deck in it that was 2" lower than the front bench and on choppy days or when in heavy boat traffic it would rock pretty good.

 

[MadThumper]

So this is my finished project for this year, in the fall I'll put the nautilux over the wood, So in the for hatch is the fuel tank, one battery and life vest, I've a anchor cubby, the rear hatch houses secondary battery, spare prop etc, I've made storage racks for tackle boxed which keeps them out of the way, the boat isn't sitting any lower than when it had it's 3/4 inch marine ply flooring between the benches, the wood on the benches etc.

 

[bonz_d]

That's a fine job you did there. Now go and enjoy the season and catch a bunch. Tight lines my friend!

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Looks awesome and really opened it up. :thumb:

 

[Woodonglass]

I'm NOT a "Tin Boat Man" but....If I was, I'd prolly Modify my boat just about the same exact way!!!

I think you deserve on of these...