Ultimate lightweight 12' aluminum boat build project (pic heavy)

[DoWork]

Been working on a build lately, and realized it's been forever since I've checked in on Teh Forumz of Radnessezzz. If you don't know me irl, I'm a welder and custom fabricator by trade and I've been doing this for about 17 years now. I've got a few certifications in TIG welding and have full access to a pretty damn good sized metal shop, so this has been an exercise in actually putting my talents into something I can enjoy rather than just a paycheck. It's been a while since I've done something like that and I can't wait to get this thing back out on the water!


Picked up this lil 12' semi-v hull for a measly $400 with the trailer.






Neglected for sure but the bones were in great shape. I took it out once just to make sure she was seaworthy, and then the teardown began. I wanted simple carpeted floors, hidden storage and minimal clutter. It also has to stay extremely light, as I want it to be able to be carried by two people over short portages if necessary. It will also be run primarily by a trolling motor. Just as simple, light, clean and as well-executed as possible.


pulled the plank seats and started to run floor joists with 1x1 aluminum square tubing fitted and welded to the reinforcement hull bands.



(closeup of the fit-up before welding them in






Once I got the basic floor layout finished, I started in on the front platform structure. This was made to create a storage space as well as a *slightly* raised position for fishing. As you can see from the pics, it is double-reinforced to provide a strong base for the seating as well as the hinges to provide access to the front batter tray and the hidden storage up front. This part was particularly difficult since none of the hull bands were quite straight, so finding the middle ground between 8 sets of angles was challenging to say the least- but as long as the finished product is straight and lined up I'm happy.






all welded up and braced







The next step was the floor board for the main deck. I went with 11/32" to find a nice in-between for strength and weight. It will have a foam backing underneath it and have aluminum joists so i'm not concerned about it's durability int eh least. It is drying after being sealed as I type this.



Shown here with the seating mocked up.




I just finished up the front diamond plate platform and spacing a little while ago, but can't mount it until the boat is painted. This diamond plate section will be painted the same gloss gray as the rest of the boat.




Hopefully I can paint it today if I have time. I picked up Gloss "Smoke Gray" (lol) heavy duty industrial epoxy so I think that will look great. The floor should get carpeted this week sometime, the pourable foam flotation/subfloor will get poured as soon as the paint dries and then it's just putting in the flooring, seating, trolling motor and running wiring. I'm really hoping to get 'er back in the water by this weekend! I'll keep updating this thread as the project progresses too.


Your thoughts? Advice? Shit talk? Knock-knock jokes?

[shroom]

yes

[skifishbum]

ditch that red pop stand seat
weld in brackets for a yeti or other burl cooler
yall have a place to keep the buzz catchin supplies
and somethin tc can stand on and fling flies
paint eat me on the side
other than that kickin ass

[DoWork]

ditch that red pop stand seat
weld in brackets for a yeti or other burl cooler
yall have a place to keep the buzz catchin supplies
and somethin tc can stand on and fling flies
paint eat me on the side
other than that kickin ass

Yeah the seats are universal mount, so basically any office chair could go on there. Someday. there will be cooler mounts in the middle too of course.

[schwerty]

Cool project!!

[teleee]

Dude I've said it before and I will say it again, you have mad skillz!

[TNKen]

Jet--Jet--Jet. Jack up the transom and pop one on.

[Cabinfever]

Nicely done


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Binky]

Weld done dude!

[east or bust]

Nice project you got there.

I've wanted to do something similar but with a small "sighting" tower (maybe 5ft) for the 30lb carp we have swimming around down here.

[2FUNKY]

Cool project. I would have chose a flat bottom over that, due to the stability. That thing will list horribly.

[DoWork]

Cool project. I would have chose a flat bottom over that, due to the stability. That thing will list horribly.

It's actually not bad at all but that is why the seats are right up the middle with no side option like a bench. Even the battery is right up the middle to keep the load aligned.

Got some more shit done today and yesterday too.

Ran the battery conduit



Foamed the floor (two stages) and bolted down the floor so it would expand into the voids and glue it all together.


Front hatch is set and mounted



Then I prepped said hatch, flipped the boat and prepped the hull and painted everything.

Before



After

[DoWork]

Hit send by accident



Painted up the front platform too, inside and out so it would match.






And that's how she will sit in the shop under the fans for the next two days for a nice long cure. Sunday evening I will come in, reassemble the transom and maybe glue down the carpet if I have time but that's really it. It's a boat after that!

[east or bust]

Nice work!

[krp8128]

Looking good.

So what's its name?

[Chugachjed]

I was expecting to see one of these! Nice work, hope the framing doesn't make the hull toooo rigid.