Started on my jon boat 2024

jemackinnon83 reply :

I bought this 12 footer last week. It's in good shape, just needed the paint freshened up. I just painted it, next will be a small deck and some seats. It's my first boat, can't wait til it's done:)

Before

After

FishingBuds reply :

Smooth paint job my friend

You'll have some fun with that-it'a get into some good tight spots others can't

Small deck and some seats huh :-?

Paint job that good you'll have to dress it up with some carpet

Micro reply :

That's looking good.

Dean reply :

Lookin Sweet man!!!

Daniel My Brother reply :

nice paint...keep the pictures coming as you go. I love good jon boat mod.

jack1 reply :

what did you use to spray the paint on?

jemackinnon83 reply :

I bought a air powered HVLP sprayer from Harbor Freight for 15 bucks. I used an oil based exterior enamel from Sherwin Williams. Right out of the can the paint was too thick for the sprayer, I thinned it down with a few cap fulls of mineral spirits and it sprayed nicely. Harbor Freight is great for some things, especially when you need a tool that you know you won't use much, so any cheapo will do. Here's a pic of the sprayer.

Jr.Bass reply :

sweet paint job...i just hope you used the right type of paint and primer....but the paintjob looks real nice!

jemackinnon83 reply :

I covered the rear bench with plywood and carpet. Another piece of plywood sits on the rear one inch of the bench and extends back to the transom to cover up the battery, which will just sit there and can be lifted out(the plywood). On the middle bench I also put plywood and will carpet over it. There is another piece that sits on the front one inch of the middle bench and extends forward 13 inches that will hinge off of the bench piece making a storage compartment. Just need to finish carpeting and add a couple seats:)

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Looking good!!!

Did Sherwin Williams also have the metal etching primer or did you go with another brand? Details are critical, lots of guys use these threads as references to do their own.

Keep the pics coming too!!

jemackinnon83 reply :

Don't shoot me:) I didn't use primer. I sanded the original paint with 200 grit, cleaned it well, and painted 2 coats, sanding in between. I was worried because after 24 hours I could still scrape it hard with my fingernail and the paint would scratch. After 2 days it hardened up nicely. I can't scratch it now, not without tools anyway. Today I will finish the carpet and add a plug in receptacle for the TM on the back deck.

jemackinnon83 reply :

Just finished the carpet and put the hinges on the storage compartment.

_tyler_wright_ reply :

That is very nice and clean. If you wouldn,t mind please take a picture of the inside of your storage compartment so i can see how you supported the independent side. I might just want to steal your idea ;D

jemackinnon83 reply :

Quote
That is very nice and clean. If you wouldn,t mind please take a picture of the inside of your storage compartment so i can see how you supported the independent side. I might just want to steal your idea ;D

I just cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit across the boat. I attached a 2x2 across the top inside part of it to give it support so it wouldn't flex. I put it up against the rib that runs side to side so I could screw it to it with some self tapping screws. You can see that the lid sits on an inch of the aluminum bench so the weight bears on the bench and not on the hinges when someone stands on it.

fisherdave reply :

Looks pritty cool!!

FisherDave

=Matt 5.0= reply :

Nice clean upgrade! Keep us posted!

Skitterz reply :

Very nice Ilike the color .Keep us posted 8-)

Kansas Angler reply :

thanks soo much, i was trying to find a way to make a storage compartment that was simple and strong enough to support the weight of a person, but now i finally found an easy way to do it

thanks jemackinnon,

teenage angler

maxke01 reply :

looks very nice, Wish i had a garage to work in so i can start on mine- keep us posted with any new upgrades

jemackinnon83 reply :

I built a "console" with 2 cup holders and installed the Hummingbird 525. I also put the seat on the rear bench. I've got the 11" pedestal I can use if I want, I'll take it and try it on the water this weekend. I still need to install 2 rod holders and another seat mount on the middle bench, oh yeah, and hook up the depth finder:)

=Matt 5.0= reply :

I'd like to see pics of how you mount the transducer if possible. Thanx

Matt

jemackinnon83 reply :

I mounted the TM transducer to the transom with thru bolts and wing nuts. There is a nut on the outside to keep the bolt in place. It's easily removed for when I have to drag it to the water. I started to build a mount out of wood that hooked on the boat and dipped down in the water, but I thought it'd be ugly, so I did this instead. Snaps or velcro also crossed my mind, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

=Matt 5.0= reply :

Thank you sir!

jemackinnon83 reply :

Oh yeah.....it's a little lower than I intended. I held it up to the boat to mark and drill the holes, but when I put the nut on behind the transducer it held it out off the boat about 1/4", thus lowering it a little because of the transom angle. It oughtta work the way it is though.

littlefisher reply :

Nice work! Have fun sneakin up on those lunkers

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Quote
Oh yeah.....it's a little lower than I intended. I held it up to the boat to mark and drill the holes, but when I put the nut on behind the transducer it held it out off the boat about 1/4", thus lowering it a little because of the transom angle. It oughtta work the way it is though.

Too low is ok, too high, not ok. (signal bounces off hull if mounted too high)

littlefisher reply :

Quote

Quote
Oh yeah.....it's a little lower than I intended. I held it up to the boat to mark and drill the holes, but when I put the nut on behind the transducer it held it out off the boat about 1/4", thus lowering it a little because of the transom angle. It oughtta work the way it is though.

Too low is ok, too high, not ok. (signal bounces off hull if mounted too high)

Way too low can be bad also. We mounted a transducer on our Crestliner FishHawk before last summer and when we took it out the water would shoot between the mount and the transducer and come flying out of the water like a jet skis rooster tail. Looked pretty ridiculous to me lol.

SenkoBasser reply :

You the man! That's looking real good. Could you possibly post a side view of the bow and maybe clue me in on how much its running your wallet? I'm able to purchase a similar jon boat (almost identical) and would like to do something similar to what you're doing if I purchase it.

Thanks, keep up the good work.

jemackinnon83 reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
Oh yeah.....it's a little lower than I intended. I held it up to the boat to mark and drill the holes, but when I put the nut on behind the transducer it held it out off the boat about 1/4", thus lowering it a little because of the transom angle. It oughtta work the way it is though.

Too low is ok, too high, not ok. (signal bounces off hull if mounted too high)

Way too low can be bad also. We mounted a transducer on our Crestliner FishHawk before last summer and when we took it out the water would shoot between the mount and the transducer and come flying out of the water like a jet skis rooster tail. Looked pretty ridiculous to me lol.

I don't think I have to worry about rooster tails since my max speed is like a mile an hour:).... I'm gonna go out and finish the boat right now, as soon as I'm done I'll get a good "complete" pic. And I'll get you a cost list A.J.

jemackinnon83 reply :

Ok...finished...for now:). I wired the depth finder, installed 2 rod holders, installed the front seat mount, and took it fishing today:). This has been a fun project, I worked on it on and off for the last two weeks. I'm pretty happy with the end result, although I would probably do a few things different on the next one. Paint for one, I already have a few scratches, all due to transport, 0 related to actually fishing. Next time I will strip it down to bare metal and use the best marine paint(and primer) I can find. I don't know about you all but I think it's very uncomfortable reaching back to operate the TM. I would like a foot controlled bow mount but they're a little pricey for my liking. I've got some ideas on how to "relocate" the tiller handle up next to me while leaving the TM in the same spot. That'll be my next project. Here's a final pic. And thanks for the kind words everyone:). Almost forgot, I took it out today and I can say I prefer the 11" pedestal on the back opposed to the seat directly on the mount, much easier casting and easier to drive.

Here's what it cost me.

1. boat and TM $300

2. 1 sheet 3/4 plywood free from work:)

3. carpet and adhesive $40

4. Depth finder $120

5. Rod holders $40

6. Seat $35

7. Seat mounts and pedestal $60

8. Battery $65

9. Nuts, bolts, cup holders, misc. $30

10. Paint $30

Grand total $720 +-

_tyler_wright_ reply :

Hey man GREAT job on the boat! It looks amazing. Where did you get your cup holders?

jemackinnon83 reply :

Bass Pro Shops. They sell them at Academy too, probably cheaper, but I happened to be at BPS already getting the seat.

_tyler_wright_ reply :

Oh well dang. The nearest BPS is about 2 hours away and Academy is about that far too.

Cujo reply :

Very cool boat! Nice work!

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Started on my jon boat 2024

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