Koditten random project/boat build thread.

Both gunnels reinforcements welded in. I'm done for the day.

 

Welds look fine to me. Though I’m no expert, only learned how to do stick welding years ago.

 

Kirk, I didn’t realize you were working on another boat. Looking great!

Best,
B

 

Yep. This is #2. Hopefully it goes well. I have materials fo a 3rd one. They are work, but they are fun...at least to me they are.

 

Looks amazing to me. Just curious though, are you keeping it or planning to sell. I assume you already have one for yourself so if you are keeping it, what is the plan for it?

 

This one will be sold, at least that is the intention. When I sold boat #1, I purchased all the aluminumn stock I would need to make 2 more boats. Build 2, sell 1 and and have exactly what I wanted as a boat to keep.

The back story: I've been in love with these boats since I was in my early 20's. I didn't know until I was in my 40's that all drift boats are custom built. None come off an assembly lline.

My buddy called me out while steelhead fishing. As a drift boat was passing us in the river and we were anchored in my Jon boat, I said "I still think those boats are art". He told me "stop talking about them and just build the damn thing!". Your a fuckig fabricator! Make it happen!"

I had no response except to build one.

 

Labor of love for sure. The first one looked like it turned out awesome.

I didn’t realize you were a trailer fab guru too… I’ve been planning to find someone to convert my front bunk to a roller, and possibly add a catwalk on my Hyde trailer this spring.

Between my trick back and a 3:1 weight imbalance between me and the boat, a front roller is definitely long overdue.

if you’re up for a side project this spring, let’s chat and I’ve got some pictures I could send ya. I’m thru central MI area pretty frequently.

Best,
B

 

I didn't realize that the drift boats are custom. That is a really cool fact. Good on you for being able to fabricate them at such a high end!

 

I'll PM you with deets.

 

Treated myself to a new lense. Kinda hard to see, but I'm holding 2 lenses.

 

Prepping to fab up the side shelves/lateral reinforcements.

Cheap laser level to find horizontal.

I positioned the boat on the lift as close as possable to its normal float height.

 

Installed the side shelves.

 

Fabbing up front bow braces/shelves.

This pic shows test fitting.

 

Got the 2 bow braces/shelves welded in.

The bottom shelves really isn't very big, but it is at a nice height to rest a foot on while casting. just like the pub foot rail. Takes some strain off the lower back when standing.

 

Starting the floor supports.

This part is a bit slow. The 3/4 x 2" rectangular tube must be flexed to match the bend of the bottom of the boat.

It's a pain because of all the in and out of the boat making adjustments before the braces can be welded in.

The second pic shows the amount of bend I need to put on the center brace.

 

I use the lift table and a scrap piece of tubing braced against the ceiling joist to press against.

 

The floor braces are welded in now.

There will be foam board fitted into the space between the braces, then plywood wrapped with outdoor carpet bolted to the braces

The foam serves 2 purposes. It helps keep your feet cool or warm as well as adds floatation in case of a capsize.

The small pieces in the front are to prevent dropping and losing anything under the floor.

 

Flipping the boat in preparation to weld on the trim pieces.

Pretty much where I stopped.

Stay tuned...

 

Wow. Making some serious progress!

Just curious, is that the same bottom profile you used on your first? How did it row?

B

 

I've only rowed 1 other aluminum drifter. It was a turd compared to mine. It wasn't bad, but mine could be spun around much easier.

I'll try to find pics of the boat I narrowed a bit later.

I'm actually working on the boat right now.

Mine rows amazing. I know I'm biased, but mine really was much better.

I'm trying to keep every thing close to the same as my 1st boat.