Ideas for converting older boats

[hpgoh2]

I've been fishing for the past year or so out of an old Savage tinny. It had 3 bench seats when I got my hands on it. These were soon converted into casting decks with some bits of wood and carpet. Also added a bow-mount Motorguide and some seats and it's been adequate for taking two on enclosed waters down in the Gippsland Lakes.

So far, it's been "cheap" as far as owning a boat goes....

I have an itch to scratch though. Every time after a trip, I keep thinking to myself, "Time to get a bigger boat..." All the usual reasons, all the usual requirements (price being the main one).

Anyway, I've been throwing around a few ideas on what to do next and thought I'd put them here. Firstly, most obvious route is to get some basic alum. hull and fit that out. I'm guesstimating I could manage something for 5-7k. Easier option would find a used Hornet/Edge Tracker/Polycraft/other make or model, which would stretch that figure a bit

Another idea which I've been thinking about is converting an older fibreglass hull. I've had a look at the Glastron tri-hulls from the late 70s/early 80s. The bow-rider layout looks set for converting to a lure-fishing boat. Did a bit of research on the Net and a lot of owners report that they ride quite hard on anything but flat water.

Yet another idea was to convert a ski/speed-boat type hull like a Swiftcraft Stiletto. What I had in mind was removing the entire foredeck and replacing with a casting deck, bass boat style. Will this compromise structural strength? Can this be done simply and cheaply? Is this even legal? Problems with insurance? Are these boats suitable for this - stable at rest/low speeds?

A lot of questions that need answering. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will set me straight before I even think about doing anything potentially dangerous.

[yellow door 1]

Is this the stiletto -

[hpgoh2]

Yes, that looks like the same one. I started saving pictures of these old boats the last time I started thinking about these stupid ideas. This Swiftcraft Stiletto seems like the best one I've seen so far, which is what got me started thinking again.

For the price that they're asking for, that'd give me some room to play around with fitting it out. Are these things even stable at rest?

The Glastrons which I'd been thinking about are the ones like this and this.

[crabcrusher]

Mate fancy you post this subjec t because ive had the same thought in mind . Im quiet sure that if you put reinforcement under the casting deck this would more than certainly reinforce the hull .the only problem ,is that fibreglass is a bugger to work with .Let me know your thoughts as im more than interested on your opinion and what youve heard or think on the matter . A ski boat would look crazy with a castring deck .,and if the bream aint around , pull out thewakeboard>>>

[breamN2wheels]

hey hpgoh2 do you have any pics of that savage boat you set up? thinking of doing the same to myn

[hpgoh2]

Don't have any pictures of my current set-up. If I get around to taking some pictures, I'll put them up. The larger front casting deck is between the front two bench seats and the rear one is between the rear bench and the transom. I used 12mm ply and it's just supported by a few lengths of shelving steel angle that are riveted to the bench seats. I know...I should have used aluminium angle, but it was all I could find at the time. The wood is finished with two coats of polyurethane varnish on the bottom and outdoor carpet on the top (and also the bench seats) to make it a bit more comfortable to walk on with bare feet.

Mate fancy you post this subjec t because ive had the same thought in mind . Im quiet sure that if you put reinforcement under the casting deck this would more than certainly reinforce the hull .the only problem ,is that fibreglass is a bugger to work with .Let me know your thoughts as im more than interested on your opinionnd what youve heard or think on the matter . A ski boat would look crazy with a castring deck .,and if the bream aint around, pull out thewakeboard>>>

You know what they say about great minds...

I haven't found any other information about this idea of cutting the foredeck. That sounds like a good start though - horizontal reinforcements across the hull to reduce any flexing and I think another load-bearing structure from the new casting deck to the keel.

[Dave W]

Great minds indeed............

I think it is do-able, but something to keep in mind is that Ski hulls aren't exactly built to go hard in rough water.......... you don't ski in it if you know what I mean.

A boat builder I spoke to said it can be done, but you'd need to completely strip the hull, add plenty of glass re-inforcing, then work your way up in terms of decks etc...... and be very fussy about the hull you choose.

Depends if you've got the time/money/ inclination I suppose.

[hpgoh2]

The more this great mind thinks about it, the more it's starting to sound like an ill-conceived idea. It's one of those ideas you just can't get out of your head though...

A 4.1m Polycraft is starting to sound more appealing. Months ago when I went down to the Melbourne Polycraft dealer, they had a custom order just in, waiting to be fitted out - purple and pink. Whatever turns you on, I guess. I think we we all know you can't beat black. Black goes faster.

I actually wanted something with more freeboard though. Then at least I could take it on the Bay on a good day. Isn't that always the case - we want something that will "do it all". If only I had the money for two boats and the space to store them.

[Bream Addict]

hpgoh2,i think ity was a good idea but in the end would probably end up costing u more than u had budgeted for.as for the poly,they could easily handle the bay on a reasonable day but imo,are a bit pricey for what they are.if ur after something that is somewhere between an breamin rig and a bay rig then it might be an idea to have a look at some of the boat builders around darwin and gulf country as alot of their barra boats end up this way,just a thought.