A Young Man's First Boat Project

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Moderator
Staff member
Last season we had several good hunts on the deep reaches of the Tennessee River in Jackson County with a friend who had a mud motor on his boat. That experience firmly planted in Thomas's mind the idea that a mud motor rig would be a nice compliment to our Devlins. With the season drawing nearer Thomas contacted Tina McAdam and asked if Bill's boat (Bill McAdam was a long time member here at duckboats.net and passed away this year) was available. It was so that started the whirlwind project to squeeze in a boat restoration before the weather turned cold and duck season started. Coming home from Alabama every weekend since he bought the boat Thomas, and his friends Patrick and Zac have just about completed this project. All that remains is the lower unit rebuild of the Mud Buddy Thomas picked up this weekend. With parts on order I think this project will be complete in about a week. I'll le the pictures below tell the story of how TP, Zacaroni & Cheese, brought a boat back to life.



View attachment AsFound1.jpg

Boat as found.


View attachment AsFound2.jpg

The boys saw a diamond in the rough.


View attachment AsFound3.jpg

They hauled it to my shop and started cleaning.


View attachment CleanUp1.jpg

Patrick has no fear of a little project.


View attachment CleanUp2.jpg

The console, pods, tilt/trim, and everything else attached to the hull were removed.


View attachment PrepNPaint1.jpg

With the hull stripped she is flipped and sanded. A 1/4" aluminum plate was welded to the transom to cover old holes and stiffen it for the motor.


View attachment PrepNPaint2.jpg

Area for Steel Flex taped off.

View attachment PrepNPaint3.jpg

Steel Flex rolled on. It cured and left a very low friction surface.


View attachment PrepNPaint4.jpg

Hull primed and ready for paint.


View attachment PrepNPaint5.jpg

Hull bottom paint complete.
 
Last edited:
View attachment PrepNPaint7.jpg

Primer down.


View attachment PrepNPaint8.jpg

Paint went on smooth after primer.


View attachment PrepNPaint9.jpg


With the help of Redlegs (TM) stencils the boys had a blast camoing the boat. It looks better in person.



View attachment Finished1.jpg

After camo was complete GI bed mats were cut and installed with rubber contact cement. The color is a bit off in the pictures. In real life it matches the paint quite closely. The cost as compared to Hydro-Turf is about 1/4 the cost and I think may be more durable and comfortable and is positively quieter and warmer.

View attachment Finished2.jpg


View attachment Finished3.jpg


View attachment Finished4.jpg

View attachment Finished5.jpg
 
Last edited:
I guess I better shoot some ducks while they go thru Iowa. They don't stand a chance once they get Huntsville. [w00t]

Looks to me like the boys can be quite proud of their efforts. I think they did a bang up job.
 
Awesome restoration, those young guys did a great job. Sweet duck hunting rig.

I'm also admiring the inside of the shed, I assume it's yours? Mine is totally inadequate by comparison, guess I need to get to work!
 
It was a blast to restore this boat. I greatly appreciate all of the things you were able to teach us Mr. Patterson. No matter what we're doing I am always learning new things in the shop. Duck season can not come soon enough!
 
Good morning, Eric~


Congratulations to the whole crew! This is the sort of experience that lasts forever and can be applied to so many challenges and opportunities throughout life. Fabulous!


All the best,


SJS

 
Super job Thomas! I hope you all don't mind me chuckling a little, seeing a tin boat project from the Patterson clan. Post up when you find out how she runs. Looking forward to the stories.

Eric, is that cork up on the selves? Are we going to see you, or Thomas, turning out decoys? Love that shop!

Best,
Scott
 
Appreciate the compliments guys. I know the boys are checking in and like the feedback too.

Scott, the load of cork you spied came from Jeff's shop. What you see filled up 2 1/2 truck beds plus there are a bunch of partially finished decoys and heads as well. One day I'll give decoy making a try, just not yet, too many other projects ahead of that.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for posting Eric & great job boys! That will be a fun rig to run indeed.

Tell me about this GI stuff? Doesn't hold moisture? I like my rubber mats but they are HEAVY.
 
Andrew L. said:
Thanks for posting Eric & great job boys! That will be a fun rig to run indeed.

Tell me about this GI stuff? Doesn't hold moisture? I like my rubber mats but they are HEAVY.
Click to expand...

They hold a little bit of water if wet down but dry quickly and never get mildew or put off a smell. This stuff is light since it was designed for soldiers to carry on their backs. I like working with it since it machines well. By that I mean I can rip it on the table saw. I also attach it with two-sided tape to a ply wood template and use a router with a bearing guide bit to cut it to any needed shape and chamfer the edges.
 
Last edited:
What a great looking boat. I can foresee years of enjoyment hunting out of it for sure. Excellent job of restoring a boat of a lost DBHF member.

I'll have to look into those GI Mats for use in my ice fishing shacks. I currently have some foam I throw down in front of the seats to keep the feet warm but I wonder if this wouldn't be better.

Mark
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top