My 14' Polarkraft Jon Build(UPDATED 7/18/2010) 2024

00 mod reply :

Im new here, and actually found this site by looking for ideas on how to do this project...

I've grown up fishing with my dad, and after not fishing for several years, ok maybe 10, i've decided to get back in it! A couple years ago I ran across this deal on a 1974 Polarkraft 1436 jon boat and trailer for $350...so I jumped on it. Have taken it out a couple times over the last 3 or so years, and it's just hard to fish out of with the bench seats, no casting deck, trolling motor on the transom, and to be honest a little tipsy standing so high on the bench seats.

I've decided to remove bench seats, put full decking in bottom and mount bass style seats with pedestals. Oh yea and move the trolling motor to the front. So over the next few weeks I will be adding pictures to this thread and keep everyone up to date on how its going....

Started today with the removal of the bench seats...

***PS- before anyone jumps my case, I will use this boat in smaller ponds (5-35 acres) and electric only reservoirs around the area... I have done research and know that taking the foam seats out can allow the boat to twist under a gas motor, and also the chances of the boat swamping under bad conditions, but as I have stated this boat will see neither of those conditions...***

00 mod reply :

she wont look like this for long...

and after day 1!!

Andy Taylor reply :

Just don't forget the life jackets.

Grey Wolf reply :

Live and learn but be safe.

00 mod reply :

Live and learn? Am I doing something wrong? This is my first ever build.....if I am messing up please do tell!

Jeff

00 mod reply :

Sub flooring in and wired...

Floor/walls roughed in before removal and carpet....

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
Live and learn? Am I doing something wrong? This is my first ever build.....if I am messing up please do tell!
Jeff

No you're not messing up , all I meant was that life is a constant learning adventure as you go through it. Believe me you will learn something from your venture.

00 mod reply :

oh ok...wow, I thought I had made a terminal error already and you knew something I didn't....Good to know! I'm sure I won't like something about it once i'm finished, but hey, I can always change it!

Jeff

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
oh ok...wow, I thought I had made a terminal error already and you knew something I didn't....Good to know! I'm sure I won't like something about it once i'm finished, but hey, I can always change it!
Jeff

That's what I was talking about.

mark nowak reply :

Before I made mods to my boat, I spent a lot of time on this site and tinboats.net. Both very good sites and a lot of very smart people to answer any questions you might have.

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

Make sure you try hard to remember to install everything you need before carpeting. Theres nothing worse than having to cut a hole in the carpet to install something new. It can be done, but it's far easier to do it all first. Just take your time and think about everything you may want to put in the boat. Make a checklist and start going down it.

Nitrofreak reply :

Looking pretty good can't wait for more pics!!!

GLADES reply :

I would advise trying to keep any additional weight to a minimum. Also, do you plan on installing some additional support to replace the side to side support the bench seats provided? Just my .02

00 mod reply :

OK first to answer questions...

I wasn't planning on installing any additional support as there are ribs 16'' from front to back and I didn't think I needed any? Do I?

Wouldn't additional weight make the slim bottomed boat more stable?

Now for a question of my own.....???

Does having an engine on the rear help to control drift on windy days and does it act like a rudder to keep the boat straight when using the trolling motor?

Jeff

00 mod reply :

And now for updated pics.....

Carpeted all of the mocked up sides and floors...

Sanded and prepped underside and sides for paint....

And then rolled on the cheapo bed-liner stuff for DIY'ers!

Figured that would solve any problem I might run into with leaky rivets that I was unaware of and also help to deaden some sound from the flooring of the boat!

Next up is to finish paint on the outside, install flooring and sides to the inside, mount seat pedestals, trolling motor switches, fish finder, and cup holders! Then make a trolling motor mount, attach it, and off to the lake!

Jeff

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

You know, seeing this thread is giving me the itch to build another Jon....Maybe I should start with doing a few small things to the one I've already got though....

00 mod reply :

So today I finished the paint work, installed the carpeted flooring/sidewalls, installed hinges on storage areas, and put seat pedestal mounts in.......

northern basser reply :

Wow, I really like the way your boat turned out! I'm looking to buy a 14' alumacraft jon from my buddy and fix it up. I've been watching the boating forum lately for ideas.

Do you have any idea how much weight you added? Also, I was curious to see if taking out the benches really matters all that much. Boats this size aren't normally rated for too high a hp anyway.

Make sure and give us an update after you hit the water.

helms83 reply :

Your boat is coming out nicely! Very impressed with your handy work. I too was curious about the added weight: what is the rated weight capcity for an aluminum boat; how much will you be adding? What size motor do you have? What is your plan for a front mounted trolling motor? If you don't mind me asking, how much have you put into it?

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

Lookin good so far.

Andy Taylor reply :

Looks great. Why did you decide to incline the front, instead of a casting/flat deck with storage underneath?

00 mod reply :

Thanks for all of the comments...

I decided to angle the front and make storage under there instead of a casting deck because of the narrow bottom of the boat! At just 36'' i want to be safe first and foremost!

I'm not sure how much added weight but the boat is rated for 4 persons so I would assume 2 people and the added weight wouldn't be too much!

The only motor I have is a 9.9 which I am not going to use on this boat(for now)! Just a 45lb thrust trolling motor!

I haven't exactly figured out the front mount trolling motor just yet, still searching pictures of everyone else's boats, but stay tuned! I hope to figure something out tonight and tomorrow!

I have a running total of receipts but I have sworn to myself not to add them up until the first day I hit the water! So sometime this week I will post exact total of the build!

Jeff

erau618 reply :

I wouldn't be afraid to put a motor on your boat. I have a 16' X 36" jon boat with a 9.9 on the back and it has a front deck. I didn't remove the seats, but I have never fallen in. It does get a little shakey at times, but it's not as bad as everyone says it is.

nice looking mod btw

00 mod reply :

OK, I couldn't help myself and went ahead and added up the receipts! I have everything to finish the accessories including trolling motor, fish finder, rod holders, battery, battery box, seat poles, finger pulls for compartments ect....

The grand total I have in my boat is $1249.02

That includes $100 boat, $250 trailer, $110 battery, $140 troll motor and $85 fish finder...so subtract those and the total cost of redoing the boat has cost $564.02

Hope this helps anyone wanting to do their own, and I will post more pictures once everything is mounted! Planning on taking my maiden voyage Thurs afternoon! Will post results!

Jeff

helms83 reply :

Mod, you're killing me, lol. I've been waiting to hear about your first trip out on her!

00 mod reply :

ok well I didn't want to post about it, lol but here it goes

went out to a local lake(Poplar Tree Lake) about 125 acres electric only

got out there about 5:15pm and fished until we couldnt see the bank anymore, about 8:30 and I got skunked...

dont know if it was just too hot during the day (97 with heat index of 108) or what but I didn't catch a thing

good news is I checked and not one drop of water leaked!

I made a makeshift troll motor mount that has to be changed, and i needed a longer extended handle for it but other than that I am VERY pleased with the boat, now if I can just get my act in order....lol

BassCats reply :

Good work, pls post pic of final product.

00 mod reply :

will do! Its been raining a bit here so I havent worked on the boat in a week or so, and the couple days it wasnt raqingin I was fishing...lol

Hopefully to get back to work on it soon and post the finalized pics!

Jeff

dixieboysles reply :

Nice PolarKraft! looks great!

I have a 1985 Polarkraft 1440 myself. not finished but here is my build so far:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1266949833

I am going a different direction than you. I went with a casting deck up front (still need to cover in plywood but it is framed out you can see. Then i wnet with an aluminum floor so that i dont have to worry about rot. I also ripped out the middle bench but kept the back bench for rigidiypurposes. going to mount the seat to that and put a pedestal up front.

Josh D reply :

Can't wait to see it finished.......starting on my own project boat...all these great ideas from these builds really helps my planning...

NHBASSMASTER reply :

Great work so far! I just picked myself up a 1966 Starcraft 12' tin boat and I was planning on doing some work this winter on it. Great to see this!

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My 14' Polarkraft Jon Build(UPDATED 7/18/2010) 2024

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