My Free Canoe Project! 2024
Joedodge reply :
so my father in law gave me a canoe a few months back. It's a 1987 michiccraft aluminum 14 foot. I've been working on making it my lake vessel since well it's free,a nd im on a budget lol. I've been able to clean and paint the inside, remove one of the three thwart bars, add foam padding, made DIY Rod holders, and built the frame for the back of my truck for hauling. I plan to add a trolling motor and mount and a humminbird piraña max. I just got the numbers put on it from the tax collector, and started cleaning the old decals off. It's a 39" beam in the center super stable canoe I can stand and paddle or fish no problem. Just wanted to show the younger guys or budget conscious guys a free canoe or boat and a lil work can be rewarding! 
Joedodge reply :
A few more progress pics it wouldn't let me add to original post 
Smokinal reply :
Nice! That's the way to make do with what you have and make it work for you.
Joedodge reply :
Thanks I'm trying lol! It's coming along
A-Jay reply :
Nice Job ~
Don't forget to install your "Floor"
A-Jay
Joedodge reply :
It's on the list!
A-Jay reply :
I'd also recommend that you consider what your anchoring requirements might be - because you're probably going to need one. . . . . eventually.
One suggestion is to mount a small cleat to the top of the gunwale (on your strong hand side) just behind where you sit but where it can still be reached to pull up.
The anchor & line can be stored behind you at the stern. A mess draw string bag works well to contain the line while still allowing it to dry after use.
A-Jay
Joedodge reply :
I actually have a mushroom anchor not sure if it van be seen in the loaded pic or not at the dock. I need to get a cleat tho. That's an excellent idea for position thanks so much!
Joedodge reply :
And the 5 gallon bucket in the pic will be replaced by the battery for the trolling motor. I just fill it for water and place it in the bow for ballast
Goose52 reply :
Looking good - have fun!
.....................................................................................................................and make sure you wear a PFD ! 
Joedodge reply :
Thanks so much!
Dogmatic reply :
I have to say, like I said in the other thread, thats a sweet rod holder design(I already stole the idea), and nice build.
Joedodge reply :
Thanks a lot everyone! More to come im working on a trolling motor mount now. Due to the design of the flotation caps a lot of them won't work. But Meyers boats owns michiccraft now. So I have an email in to them. I believe there pre made mount for the sportspal will work on this boat! Gotta add a cleat to the flotation cap for anchoring, and a get a battery box. Other than that it's pretty much ready to roll.
Fin Stalker reply :
Nice work man. I love to see guys save old stuff like that and make it serviceable again. Even if it did float to start out now it's your canoe.
buzzed bait reply :
Nice ride man!
Joedodge reply :
Thanks a lot guys more pics to come soon!
Joedodge reply :
Added a zig zag cleat today for anchoring. Only put one on the back by my seat for now.
Joedodge reply :
Added a sticker lol! Trolling motor and mount soon!
Joedodge reply :
A co worker had this mount he never even used once! I had to add a hole to make it work on my canoe but that was no big deal. Scored it for $20!!!!
A-Jay reply :
Sweet.
A-Jay
Goose52 reply :
Yes - a very clean mount - good score !
Joedodge reply :
It really is a nice clean mount. Way better than what I was going to make and much easier route! Thanks guys
Joedodge reply :
Well it's a month later pretty much but I got a motor guide 30# thrust motor with a composite shaft, went to a local battery shop and got a recon group 27 deep cycle and a 1.5 amp hr trickle charger. Extended the wiring and got some Velcro straps to try and keep it neat and tidy as possible. She's pretty much finished for now. Later on maybe a second battery for longer days on bigger lakes and a depth finder but for now she's complete. Gonna take her out on Friday after work I believe
mcgreggor57 reply :
Looking good!
Joedodge reply :
Thanks a lot nice thing is to everything I've done can basically be transferred to another canoe or Jon boat some day if anything happens to this one
Goose52 reply :
Looking good...............................................BUT......................................your extension wires between the TM and the battery look awfully puny (meaning too small a gauge wire for the job). You might not want to go too far from the dock on your first time out... and I'd be feeling those wires to see how hot they get.
When I ran extension wires for my canoe I used 6 gauge. 8 or 10 gauge might work for you - especially for only a 30lb TM. Your wires look like they're only about 14 gauge.....
Joedodge reply :
That's 10 gauge wire no worries and I consulted a wire gauge chart ( I'm a certified auto diesel tech). For my current draw 10 gauge at the length I ran should be fine. It's what I had laying around so I used that. I plan to check the wires with it under load after a while. If current draw seems excessive or I find to much voltage drop at the load I can always up the wire gauge. I greatly appreciate the concern and looking out for me and my project! Thanks everyone
Joedodge reply :
Also the conduit tube is a great idea! Hope ya don't mind if I steal that one lol
Goose52 reply :
On 5/5/2015 at 7:27 AM, Joedodge said:Also the conduit tube is a great idea! Hope ya don't mind if I steal that one lol
Good deal on the 10 ga.
On the conduit - steal away! Another view....
Joedodge reply :
On 5/5/2015 at 7:58 AM, Goose52 said:Good deal on the 10 ga.
On the conduit - steal away! Another view....
Thanks for that! It looks great!
Master Bait'r reply :
Man aluminum canoes are awesome. One of these days!!!
Joedodge reply :
On 5/5/2015 at 8:37 AM, Master Bait said:Man aluminum canoes are awesome. One of these days!!!
Doesn't hold a candle to that beast your building tho!
Master Bait'r reply :
On 5/5/2015 at 9:03 AM, Joedodge said:Doesn't hold a candle to that beast your building tho!
That's cheating tho haha... Canoes are prefect for one person. Nice seating position, tons and tons of storage and you can walk em anywhere. I'd love an aluminum canoe project build! Keep up the great work!
Joedodge reply :
Thanks a lot. It'll work for me and my boy. Not near as ideal as a job boat. But for free I couldn't pass it up
Surfcaster reply :
I have an 18' Old Town Tripper that me and my son take out on the lake and I have always wanted to trick it out with a trolling motor and sonar. After seeing your project, I may be motivated to upgrade our canoe. We have a Yakima rack on the top of our vehicle we tie it down to when we transport the canoe. With the extras that are on your canoe you will need a trailer.
Joedodge reply :
No actually I strap mine down on the roof of my truck. The battery, trolling motor and trolling motor mount and Rod holders are all removable. It can be put on in less than 5 mins when I get to the lake. Very easy to transport and light and still a totally normal canoe if I'd like it to be.
Joedodge reply :
Found a piece of electrical conduit at the house today just long enought to make the wiring channel. I sanded it up and zip tied it to the top rail of the canoe. Lil hard to see in the pic but it works awesome keeps the wires up nice and neat! Thanks a ton goose!!! Great idea.
Goose52 reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 4:46 AM, Joedodge said:Found a piece of electrical conduit at the house today just long enought to make the wiring channel. I sanded it up and zip tied it to the top rail of the canoe. Lil hard to see in the pic but it works awesome keeps the wires up nice and neat! Thanks a ton goose!!! Great idea.
Looks great !
Joedodge reply :
Thanks a lot!! Thanks so much for the idea!!
Surfcaster reply :
On 5/5/2015 at 6:41 AM, Goose52 said:Looking good...............................................BUT......................................your extension wires between the TM and the battery look awfully puny (meaning too small a gauge wire for the job). You might not want to go too far from the dock on your first time out... and I'd be feeling those wires to see how hot they get.
When I ran extension wires for my canoe I used 6 gauge. 8 or 10 gauge might work for you - especially for only a 30lb TM. Your wires look like they're only about 14 gauge.....
What type of trolling motor are you using on your canoe and how well does it perform on the lake in windy conditions. Also, I noticed on a different picture you have what looks like an anti-tip float. Does that allow you to stand up and fish.
Goose52 reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 9:35 AM, Surfcaster said:What type of trolling motor are you using on your canoe and how well does it perform on the lake in windy conditions. Also, I noticed on a different picture you have what looks like an anti-tip float. Does that allow you to stand up and fish.
Apologies to the OP for going off-topic...
I use a 45lb Minn-Kota Traxxis TM. It pushes my small and light 12ft canoe nicely and in any reasonable wind condition. I've made headway into wind strong enough to generate white-caps (I wasn't fishing in that "sea state"...I was trying to get back to my launch point after that wind popped up). If I had a longer/heavier boat, I would probably move up to a 55lb (or more) TM.
Yes - I have outriggers (stabilizers) on the boat. I usually stand and fish all day - the only time I sit down is to land fish, change baits, and eat lunch.
Joedodge reply :
No apologies necessary! Canoe discussion is welcome!
I should have stated I went with the standard motor guide 30# thrust with a composite shaft from Walmart. It should push my canoe along fine as I'm just looking to be able to spend more time fishing than paddling. And by going with that one there's several Walmart near me that sell spare props and parts so it's easy to fix locally.
My canoe is 39" at the center. So it's a big boat with a wide beam. I can stand and fish and even stand and paddle no problem if the waters calm. But I plan to make some diy flotation pontoons eventually for added stability when my boy is with me
Joedodge reply :
Took her out today. Went great didn't catch anything but the motor is plenty of power. The lake I fish by the house has a lot of weeds so I did have to unclog it ocasionaly
A-Jay reply :
Congrats on your Maiden Voyage ~
Bet it felt good.
A-Jay
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