Boat @ 85%

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03-16-2009, 11:07 PM
Crappie Reaper

Boat @ 85%

I've been very busy on the boat. Worked on it from 4:30 am till 2 am this last friday to try and get her functional for the Okie meet.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...erdance006.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...erdance007.jpg
Little more wood added. Then I did up a switch box along with getting some wiring done.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...chboxes001.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...chboxes004.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...chboxes010.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...chboxes009.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...chboxes007.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...oreboat001.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...oreboat002.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...oreboat003.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...oreboat004.jpg
I still need a couple of hinges for back storage lids, may have to modify something to get the hinge I want. Also, I love the LED Courtesy lights I put in. I have them switched for front or back of boat operation. Me and two of the kids took it out for a trip Saturday afternoon. With an 18 year son and a 17 year old daughter, I was able to get her up to a little over 32mph after trimming it out. I was impressed with the ride. I am going to be very happy with it. The bait well worked great, as well the fwd livewell. Had an impeller go out too, I changed it today. I am down to minimal sheet metal work, the missing storage lid hinges, carpet, latches and 3 finger pulls for the floor storage.
03-17-2009, 02:07 AM
Scott S

It looked good scootin across the lake Saturday. Did the transducer for the Lowrance work okay?
03-17-2009, 05:32 AM
Crappie Reaper

It worked just fine. I think I need to adjust it somehow as I get vertical lines while riding wide open.
03-17-2009, 05:50 AM
Crappie_Jowell

what size boat and model is this? I am interested in purchasing and customizing a boat like this as well! looks great you did a great job!
03-17-2009, 06:07 AM
Crappie Reaper

It's an '80 model Traveler Sea Nymph. I think it was one of the model vieing for the Bass Tracker bid when they were just getting started with the line of Trackers. I am only guessing when I say, I believe it's an Arkansas Traveler. 16'4" bow to transom, 48" wide floor, 72" wide top of 24" deep sidewalls. It's been a fun project, but a heck of a lot of time involved. If I were to do again, I might try to find premade lids made of plastic and build the deck and storage areas to them.

I have a 90hp Yamaha laying around. If I can get it going for a song, I will begin to look for my next project. Anyone know of any 20' plus center console aluminum that needs brought back from the dead?
03-17-2009, 06:29 AM
Crappie Reaper

I will say that having all the original aluminum from the original interior layout was a blessing. I really didn't have to spend much $$$ wise on material. I bought the boat originally for $500. I sold the motor for $750.

Items I HAD to have....

New tires $60
seats (4) $200
paint and primer $40
one sheet plywood, (rest came from scrap stock) $32
metal screws $7
saw blades/hole saws $30
plumbing $45
switches (12) $36
carpet/glue Trade out/$13

Things I bought to enhance....

Lowrance 520c w 3,000 antenna $400
LED courtesy lights (6) $48
120v recepts (4) $12
12v outlets (2) $12

Another member of the forum, Starfish gave me a Garmin 192c head. I ordered a power cable for it and an internal antenna. I cannot find a gimble bracket for it and will have to fabricate something. That's about it. I am going to mount a radio/mp3 player eventually.
03-17-2009, 07:00 AM
dedawg1149

looking good
03-17-2009, 07:51 AM
Stinkfinger

It looks really good reaper, easy to tell that you take a lot of pride in your work. Thanks for sharing the pics with us and keep em coming. Very nice boat!!!!:D
03-17-2009, 08:09 AM
ReelFunGuy

Good Job

Howdy !!
I just had to put my two cents in and let you know that I think you have one good lookin boat there and every right to be proud of your accomplishment.
I only wish that I were able to do something like that, when it comes to metal I can weld just about anything but I have yet to be able to weld wood and no matter how any times I cut it it is still to short to do what I want to with it.
Thanks for taking the time to post your project so that we are able to follow along.
Have a good day and may you spend it fishing!!
Rusty
03-17-2009, 09:58 AM
LBM

Great looking work there Reaper. I sure enjoy the pictures of your project.
03-17-2009, 11:56 AM
grubby

Its looking real good Reaper.When you get it done and your sitting on the water pulling in some of those slabs it will give you allot of satisfaction that you did it yourself and you done it right. keep posting the pics!
03-17-2009, 03:41 PM
baptistpreach

Great job, you really are the man! I'd love to fish with you out of it someday! Mine is coming along well.
03-17-2009, 04:35 PM
Cope

Looking good Reaper. About time to start hitting Talala Creek with it.
03-17-2009, 04:38 PM
CRAPPIEDENTIST

hey cope,,, thats where he's at rite now,, & if I know him we'll prolly hear from him bout midnight when he comes dragg'n in....

JAKE
03-17-2009, 05:19 PM
fish.on

The only thing missing is the kitchen sink. Awesome job. Had project boat one time and had it half done when a youngster talked me out of it. With a wad of cash of course. So I bought the one I have now and enhanced it. May be able to break free tonight if your still going.
03-17-2009, 05:43 PM
Cope

Dentist, then hopefully he'll be able to tell us the crappie are biting like crazy and to get out there.
03-17-2009, 07:03 PM
CRAPPIEDENTIST

ya know Reaper,, he'll tell us where, how,what color,depth.. he pretty much give a full & accurate report....

JAKE
03-17-2009, 08:19 PM
crappie josh

wow man it looks really nice and you can tell that you put a lot of hard work in to it i just wish that i was that talented :) :p
03-17-2009, 11:26 PM
Stinkfinger

I dunno, the more the more I look at the pictures, the more I wonder who really built this boat? Was it reaper or the guy sitting in the front of the boat holding the fishing pole.

Something fishy about this boat is all I got to say.
03-18-2009, 08:19 AM
Crappie Reaper

Thanks all! I was out on Oologah in it yesterday. I started out fishing stumps in the shallows of lightning creek and plumb creek. Way too windy and never got up into the creeks themselves. I loaded back up and went over to Talala. Odie was there and said they were catching an occasional fish. I had pretty much been skunked for the day other than getting into a few dinks close to dark. I sat under the black light till around 9:30 and couldn't get a hit.

As far as the boat goes, inside Talala creek I had rode up onto a stump while easing through the creek. I was on there GOOD! I could not back off in reverse (full throttle), and almost didn't get off of it in forward. I had it in full throttle forward and was just spinning around on top of it. Shifting my weight and rocking the boat caused it to break free. I'm am surprised I didn't put a major hole in the boat.

This boat also has some trailering issues when it comes to loading. I am going to have to figure out how to make it more friendly.

I want to thank everyone for the compliments. There were two guys that loaded their boat right before I got to the ramp. A really nice deep, wide, center console aluminum Lowes. Very nice rig! We chatted awhile, and showed him my boat. He liked the LED courtesy lights I installed on my rig so much, he said he was going to get some. They really worked great in lighting up the area of the boat. Great for not tripping over everything while on the water, great for stowing everything when going home.
03-18-2009, 06:23 PM
bc1448

That is a nice looking project. You have a lot of talent!
Blake
03-21-2009, 09:56 AM
baptistpreach

Where can I get those LED lights from?
03-21-2009, 10:30 PM
Crappie Reaper

Quote:

Originally Posted by baptistpreach

Where can I get those LED lights from?

I found them at Walmart for 8 bucks each. 3 LEDs and must use a 1 3/4" hole saw to install them. They carry a surface mount with 2 LED's, but I like the recessed. They work great!