Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

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geeksterman

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Hello fellow boaters
I recently purchased a 12ft Aluminum SEARS V-Hull on Craigslist for $350 with trailer and want to Prep, Paint, and a install a wood carpeted floor. Due to the fact that this is my first ever boat...I am going to need all the advice that I can get. Please heed the fact that I am on a budget and do not want to spend zillions on my boat....the basics will do.
I will only be doing freshwater fishing with an electric trolling motor at all the local lakes in my area. I have attached pics of my boat so as to get good advice from any experience boaters. All suggestions are welcomed and heeded !


12ft V-Hull (6).jpg
12ft V-Hull (31).jpg
12ft V-Hull (4).jpg
12ft V-Hull (5).jpg
12ft V-Hull (1).jpg
 
G

geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Well I started making my templates for floor but can't decide which route to take....My top coat paint color will be blue (after priming of course).
 
Bondo

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

and a install a wood carpeted floor.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,...Welcome Aboard,...

I suggest you drop this idea,...
Your boat has a very limited weight carrying capacity, 'n the weight of the wood, 'n carpet just might be the Max...
 
Yacht Dr.

Yacht Dr.

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Hello Geek..and welcome to Iboats !

Wow..nice find for your first boat ( the wifey didnt catch this one on CL ;) ).

Were abouts in MI are ya ? why paint ? this looks sweet for some fishing times with the kiddies :) Nice trailer and everything..

Put an electric on there ( forget the floor ) and you have one hekofaboat. IF its leaking ask the BobVt tinny crowd to help ya out :) ...

I can take a personal look at it if your near..

YD.
 
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geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

To: Bond-O
If that's the case....why do I see floor installations on this same size make and model boat in this and other forums????
 
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geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

I am not in MI....the previous owner of this boat is from there....I reside in North Carolina. I just purchased this boat...It would have been cool if I was near you, that way you can check it out for yourself.
 
Bondo

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

geeksterman said:
To: Bond-O
If that's the case....why do I see floor installations on this same size make and model boat in this and other forums????
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... You, like everybodyelse, can make yer own decisions,...

I'm just pointing out that the hull has a safe weight Limit....

Everything you add to the hull has to be deducted from that Same weight....
Do the math,...
Do ya want a boat that's Over the safe limit, before ya even step aboard,..??
 
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geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

If this floor is to high...I can always go lower...what do you think?..any suggestions??
 
Bondo

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Due to the fact that this is my first ever boat...
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Have you even put this New boat in the water yet,..??

It's a Tiny Tinny,... it's gonna be Awlfully Tippy....
 
G

geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Yep...and no leaks too ! But just to make sure...I am going to purchase some 3M 5200 and do all the seams...better safe than sorry. SEARS has RUSTOLEUM Marine paint for $15 per Qt...I think 2 qts will do. First things first...Sanding, 50/50 water and vinegar, some Zinc Chromate, some etch primer and last Rustoleum Marine royal blue paint. Proper prep is the key to a proper paint job...don't ya think?
 
Bondo

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

don't ya think?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... a couple more thoughts,...

Ditch the 5200 Idea,... Search up Gluv-it...
It's a product designed exactly for that particular application....

I'm All for the Rustoleum Idea,...
Shop at a BigBox store,... Cheaper, 'n much Better selection...
'n, use All Rustoleum products,... etchin', primer, topcoat, All of it....
 
G

geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Good Idea....Gluv-it is what I'm going to seal it with....Thanks ! I hear a lot of good things about that product and I can purchase it right here on this site.

12ft V-Hull (6).jpg
12ft V-Hull (4).jpg
Fishing.jpg
DSCF4910.jpg
 
Bob_VT

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

5200 does not flow into seams and really should not be used as a primary hull sealant...... that is what the gluvit is designed for.

Your front deck will really be very very tough to use. Wear a PFD because I can see you doing some unanticipated swimming. The smaller aluminum boats get very tippy at the bow and even with 2 people (one forward and one aft) the condition is not improved. If you add a seat to that the situation gets really bad. It really makes no difference if you are in a lake or a small pond..........

The link I provided is to show what removable decking is and how it can be used.

The proper aluminum painting prep method can be found here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288451
 
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fishrdan

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Before decking the boat like that, take it out to the lake and stand up in the middle seat, walk from side-side and see how stable it is, then try it on the bow seat. You'll probably want to wear a PDF for this... I think once you "walking the plank" you will decide against decking the boat that high. Those high decks will throw off the boat's center of gravity and make it unstable.

Decking it a couple inches off the hull won't affect things too much and I like that idea.

As Bond-o said, keep the weight down. There is (hopefully) a capacity plate in the boat and you shouldn't go over this limit. The max rating is for everything in the boat; wood, carpet, trolling motor, outboard, fuel, batteries, cooler, tackle, humans...
 
G

geeksterman

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

Changed my mind...I am going to deck it as low as possible...Thanks !

prep 36.jpg
prep 34.jpg
prep 41.jpg
12ft V-Hull (58).jpg
 
Huron Angler

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Re: Modifying my 12ft Aluminum Sears V-Hull

I built some removable sections of decking out of pine slats for my 12' tinny, it's a tiny one too with low sides.

I like being able to stand on dry wood rather than rainwater or spray on cold days, but to draft shallower in shallow rivers...I don't always use them. Low weight is a HUGE priority with these little boats.

Great for getting to fishing spots that I can't launch my 16' boat.

x3 on the Gluvit and Rustoleum, great stuff to use without breaking the bank.

Good luck to ya!
 
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