Question from Left_Turn56

[MotherNature]

Hello all,
I am in need of some advice. I am going to do some serious renovation to the
SeaSprite over the winter and have some general questions.

I need to gut the hull and re-floor it (remember the "rocking chairs"?). Any
ideas as far a materials goes. Is marine plywood the best option (how
thick), how bout for the frame work? I am planning on using some marine
carpeting...good idea?

Any brilliant suggestions for lay-out of the floor and seating?

I would like to put a live well in too. Many of the tournament and club
rules mandate a "sufficient" live well...what is "sufficient"

I am under a pretty tight budget, and am going to do most of the work my
self...so any help would be great!!!

BTW I am re-wiring at the same time...I will even go so far as to use
different colors for different accessories!!!
Joel Brunk

[bassadict69]

Not sure what is in your boat, but my old RayCraft (1971) had a seat that was about 3 feet long & about 1 1/2 feet wide with storage underneath. The cushion was on a hinge to raise it up. I made it into my livewell. I bought a kit that had a pump & hose on it. Drop the pump over the side to fill, & put it back in to recirculate. The end of the hose had a pvc type end on it that was about a foot long with spray holes in it. I NEVER had a fish die in that livewell! The boat died plenty of times...but not my fish!

[Rowdy]

Joel

This sounds like quite a cool project dude. Now I will say a lot of work too LOL...Most of the boat builders are using composites now instead of the plywood laminates. But there is nothing wrong with the wood products in the boats if done right. Painted with resin and cloth the wood works great and is cheaper and a lot more forgiving when the layup is being done.

I would get the true marine grade plywood for both the floor and the stringers. Stringers, I like to use a couple of pieces with cloth in between them for the thickness and strength, two most of the time will do fine glassed together and then put in place and glassed to the hull. Now let me say two pieces of 3/4" plywood. If yopu use 1/2" I would do at least 3 pieces. Either way here with the cloth between each piece you will end up with more than 1 1/2" of stringers. Thicker stringers are cool too if you wish, but that would be the minimum I would do would be 1 1/2"...

Long as you don't get into a big hurry, you can enjoy this kind of project. You get hurried, things will not be as fun. As there is a lot of work into all this. The wiring is no different either. Now far as the bait well if were me dude, I would check into one of the plastic rounded designs. Incorparate this into the deck and if you choose cover the tank once you have it mounted and plumbed in. Just make sure to make the cover where its removeable easy enough so as to work on the pumps and fittings later as we all know they will need maintance.
I look forward to hearing how your project goes dude...

[Mike Cork]

Rowdy, thanks for your inputs. Sounds like an experienced man talking here very good point about the maintenance door. I am constantly working on my pumps, either because a peice of gravel go into them or they just take a dump.

[alias left_turn56]

Thanks for the input. I am really looking forward to this project! So Rowdy, when do you want me to come over so we can get this done?
Left_turn56

[calincalif50]

Left_Turn56,
        I did something similar to what your going to try.  I received an aluminum boat destined for the junk yard (had a hole it) got it heli-arc welded and the set about to put a deck on it.  I used 1/2 ply and covered it with glass and cloth.  My stringers/supports were the aluminum studs used in framing new houses.  Glued them to the inside of the boat using extra heavy duty construction glue, let it set and then pop riveted the main stringers to the bench seats in the boat. Used stainless screws to secure the decking to the stringers.    I then decked it out with marine carpet.  Made for a very solid fishing platform in an other wise seatless boat (its one of those rental type boats) Been working for 3 years now with no breakage, used 4-5 times a month on our local lakes.  Even withstood the pounding of the larger lakes I frequent (have to rent a 15 hp motor though). 

Good luck 

[alias left_turn56]

Cal,
Did you use marine plywood?
Left_turn56

[calincalif50]

actually no, just middle of the cost ply

[alias left_turn56]

Cal, thanks for the info! It sounds like your project is pretty simular to mine. do you have any pictures of the project (in progress or complete), I would love to see it.
I lived in Paso Robles from 90-95, raced at Santa Maria Speedway (sprint cars)and the airport (karts). I sure miss it there!
Left_turn56

[Mike Cork]

Left Turn I didn't know you had been in that neighborhood....

I used to live at the same base that Cal is from while my old man was in the military. We spend quite a bit of time running threw Paso Robles on our way to San Antonio lake. And Santa Maria well lets just say the BBQ is to die for  We actually live on base and in Lompoc for a few years.

[alias left_turn56]

I grew up in Santa Cruz. We went to San Antonio and Nacimento a bunch. We also spent a ton  of time riding three-wheelers (there I go dating my self again!) and quads at Pismo Beach. We used to be able to ride all the way to Devil's Slide then...that was back in the day. When I lived in PasoRobles, I wokred at the motorcycle/boat shop. I skied and fished  Naci many, many days! Beautiful lake!
Left_turn56

[Mike Cork]

Man the Memories come flooding back. We used to live at Naci during the summer. That place was great. Beautiful clear water and lots of it, but it sure could get hot!!!!

[alias left_turn56]

About the only thing not to like was the camping...VERY close together!!
Left_turn56

[calincalif50]

L_turn, no pics, but I can find get some.  The boat has the same color scheme as a John Deere tractor.  Why???  Becasue it was cheap and the guy who painted the boat renovated John Deere tractors.  JD Yellow trailer and JD Green boat with forest green carpet.

I've been here at Vandy land now for 17 years, came here as a MSgt and retired herre.

[Mike Cork]

I left the area in 86 looks like we just missed each other Cal. The old man was in communications. I posted a thread in the California fishing thread about the ponds out there check it out...

[calincalif50]

how do I do that mike

[Mike Cork]

I see you already found it 

[calincalif50]

got it