In the tradition of Evan, I'm setting out to spruce up and repair a new to me boat. See https://pnwflyfishing.com/forum/index.php?threads/evans-boat-projects-floor-replacement.6292/ for further inspiration. This project I figure will take all winter.
The boat at the center of our story: a 2002 Lowe Sea Nymph V AN165. Riveted hull. 40hp Yamaha 4 stroke that runs well, a bow mount MinnKota Terrova with wireless remote, and a Humminbird 596eHD sonar unit. At purchase I liked it because it was very inexpensive for 4-stroke power, it's a bit smaller and lighter than similar boats, and this boat will be used on small-medium inland freshwater chasing trout a lot, but also pursing carp and bass. The boat does have pretty good mojo, here's my son:
As with all old boats, the wiring was a mess and required repair to run reliably immediately. We're reliable now, straightening out the rest of the nest will be part of the winter project. I've replaced the seat mounts as the others were fused together to the bases as they are wont to do with time, and trailer bearings and parts, yada yada. The boat makes an unreasonable amount of water into the bilge, so I am initially expecting seam leaks, though the thru hull fittings for the livewell system are not sealed to my satisfaction, and I suspect some of those hoses may be compromised. I'm pretty suspicious of a livewell anyway...should I actually keep it?
I'm thinking of naming the boat Cinco: it's my fifth boat, and, well, it kinda leaks.
Biggest issue: the floor. Bad juju. Carpet deteriorated to the point where it actually saved labor: little bits of it would blow out as you cruised down the highway to the launch. The plan, rip out the carpet, examine the hull and such things for leaks, and replace the deteriorating deck board and covering.
So, over the course of a day I disassembled the interior seats and console, then gathered up one garbage bag full of icky old carpet. After vaccuming about 2/3 of a cubic yard of sand and general debris, I found the deck had been fastened with 1 1/4" steel (magnetic) self tapping screws into the aluminum frame. They came right out, so I've retained the original floor material. It's too deteriorated to use. It appears to be 15/32" ACX exterior plywood, perhaps treated.
I've examined the hull remaining, and there is no waterlogged or otherwise even damp floatation foam in the bottom of the hull. Excellent news. There are a couple of broken deckbeams which I'll try to find extrusions for, but in general, the hull seems in great shape. I haven't given the livewell plumbing a thorough inspection yet.
Next steps: 1) measure and acquire proper amounts of new plywood for the deck, and trim out new pieces. Seal with Thompson's or some equivalent sealer; 2) replace broken deck beams; 3) Decide whether to keep livewell, if so inspect, repair and replace parts as necessary, adding seacocks on the through-hull fittings; 4) decide on flooring options ....carpet, vinyl, EVA foam, other?? and install. Last will be reassembly and finally refreshing the wiring.
For those of us embarking upon similar projects, I present this as an example> maybe not a good example, but an example.
Cheers!
The boat at the center of our story: a 2002 Lowe Sea Nymph V AN165. Riveted hull. 40hp Yamaha 4 stroke that runs well, a bow mount MinnKota Terrova with wireless remote, and a Humminbird 596eHD sonar unit. At purchase I liked it because it was very inexpensive for 4-stroke power, it's a bit smaller and lighter than similar boats, and this boat will be used on small-medium inland freshwater chasing trout a lot, but also pursing carp and bass. The boat does have pretty good mojo, here's my son:
As with all old boats, the wiring was a mess and required repair to run reliably immediately. We're reliable now, straightening out the rest of the nest will be part of the winter project. I've replaced the seat mounts as the others were fused together to the bases as they are wont to do with time, and trailer bearings and parts, yada yada. The boat makes an unreasonable amount of water into the bilge, so I am initially expecting seam leaks, though the thru hull fittings for the livewell system are not sealed to my satisfaction, and I suspect some of those hoses may be compromised. I'm pretty suspicious of a livewell anyway...should I actually keep it?
I'm thinking of naming the boat Cinco: it's my fifth boat, and, well, it kinda leaks.
Biggest issue: the floor. Bad juju. Carpet deteriorated to the point where it actually saved labor: little bits of it would blow out as you cruised down the highway to the launch. The plan, rip out the carpet, examine the hull and such things for leaks, and replace the deteriorating deck board and covering.
So, over the course of a day I disassembled the interior seats and console, then gathered up one garbage bag full of icky old carpet. After vaccuming about 2/3 of a cubic yard of sand and general debris, I found the deck had been fastened with 1 1/4" steel (magnetic) self tapping screws into the aluminum frame. They came right out, so I've retained the original floor material. It's too deteriorated to use. It appears to be 15/32" ACX exterior plywood, perhaps treated.
I've examined the hull remaining, and there is no waterlogged or otherwise even damp floatation foam in the bottom of the hull. Excellent news. There are a couple of broken deckbeams which I'll try to find extrusions for, but in general, the hull seems in great shape. I haven't given the livewell plumbing a thorough inspection yet.
Next steps: 1) measure and acquire proper amounts of new plywood for the deck, and trim out new pieces. Seal with Thompson's or some equivalent sealer; 2) replace broken deck beams; 3) Decide whether to keep livewell, if so inspect, repair and replace parts as necessary, adding seacocks on the through-hull fittings; 4) decide on flooring options ....carpet, vinyl, EVA foam, other?? and install. Last will be reassembly and finally refreshing the wiring.
For those of us embarking upon similar projects, I present this as an example> maybe not a good example, but an example.
Cheers!
