run about out of a john boat

[invaderjim]

I find a lot of people removing bows from gorgeous old runabouts to make fishing boats,go figure. But I have just acquired a nice old v bottom "johnboat"duracraft says 640lbs max16hp. And haven't seen anyone make a sportsman or run about out of one. Any links to builds? Or hey this guy did its?

 

[sphelps]

Yep most want the extra space for fishing .. But if you want to close the bow in I see no reason you can't . You need to keep it as light weight as possible though . Adding weight up high will change the center of gravity and possibly make it a bit tippy ..

 

[jbcurt00]

Not that I can think of off hand.

640lbs of additional material to convert to a runabout, a 16hp outboard, fuel, gear and people will be a limiting factor, IMO.

A 16hp outboard will push a fishing boat about what people might expect from a smaller fishing boat. But it'll be a very slow cruising runabout compared to typical factory made runabouts, esp running the same boat w more material weight added.

Guessing its a14ft semiV jon boat?

Lots of rigging to add runabout steering and motor controls.

Can it be done? Yep, just need time, money and want to.

Even if you havent bought the Duracraft yet, how about some pix of the boat to see what you're talking about.

FYI: I too hate to see great vintage boats turned into fishing boats. It can only be original once. I've got a 13ftr fishing boat I havent picked up yet but it was slated for a conversion. Guy thought it would make it more saleable. And I have a line on the same model of boat, but w a factory added helm section so it'll be sort of a eunabout but still a decent small fishing boat

Welcome to iboats. Tin or fiberglass Duracraft?

 

[jigngrub]

I LOVE chopping the bow covers out of old runabouts to make fishing boats!!!

At 16 (probably only 15) hp. you'll have a putt-about instead of a runabout.

I strongly suggest aluminum framing and sheet for closing in the bow, wood will be way too heavy... so how is your sheet metal working skills?

 

[64osby]

Welcome to the site. :welcome:

I had a Dura Craft a couple years ago. Very stout little fishing boat.

If your max HP is 16 and the max capacity is 640lbs. I would be looking to find a nice tin hull that could truly be or is a runabout. Something with about 40 or 50 HP and able to carry 4, or at least 2 adults and 2 kids.

 

[invaderjim]

Jb it says 640lbs max weight. It's aluminum. And a buddy gave it to me cause I was explaining how I was gonna make a plywood and glass canoe hah. It's pretty straight ill post a pick when I get it home. I rode in a 3 person glass boat in Mexico made me think run about. Plus I always loved the boats on jaws hah. Wasn't looking for fast just gonna fish and ride around . If I want speed I got a harley

 

[invaderjim]

Jig a run about into a fishing boat is like a 4x4 corvette. Some will applaud and others just shake their head. I'd be a head shaker and I hate corvettes. My metal skills are decent we got slip rollers bead rollers metal breaks aluminum welder. And some big ole hammers! I like the looks of the duracraft sportsman. Super simple

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, one of the things on my "Bucket List" is to take a Fiberglass V-Hull and chop the top off of it, and put a Wood Top back on it to make it look like one of the Classic Mahogany Runabouts!!! Something kinda like this...

 

[64osby]

Do you want a closed bow? Are you just wanting steering up front?

 

[gm280]

After reading this over the second time, The fact that you are limited to a 15HP max engine, makes most any conversions really iffy at best. I realize you are not looking for speed, but honestly changing most anything on this hull will surely slow it down even more. If that is of no concern to you, ha, have at it and post pictures of your conversions... :thumb:

 

[invaderjim]

Make it slower? It's setting on a rack with no motor right now! Haha that's as slow as she gets. A buddy has a 7.5 Johnson seahorse for a 100$ I'm looking at one of the cool 50ish ones. Wood on glass that would look awesome now that's a build to suscribe to! Well thanks guys I'll think on this till I got some progress to post