Bass Boat Gutting?

T

Tom Roberts

Well-known member
Has anyone ever considered or tried taking an old used aluminum hull bass boat,stripping the fishing decks out, and then putting a new floor in the bottom? There are alot of old boats out there for sale real cheap that are basically the same hulls but different interior configuration. Do you lose any structural integrity when messing around with the interior design? Looks to me like there's the potential to save thousands on a nice custom duck boat without paying thousands for a new one. Would love to hear some input from you experienced boaters.
 
Thats what I did to 1988 18' Bluefinn Spectrum, we call her Frankenstein. The boat is rated for 120 hp, I removed all the rigging and decks and install a 40hp tiller w/ 1/2" pipe steering make a great skiff for Ducking and Fishin in the bays and ocean 3' to 6' sea's no problem. I am thing of investing in a surfacedrive motor for her..

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Nice looking rig Kenneth! I was thinking about doing something like that to a BassTracker, Duracraft,....etc. I've been surprised how cheap some of those are selling for in my area. Many of these are welded and are wide. Looks like they could be ideal duck boats with a little imagination. How much weight does all the rigging and decks weigh?
 
That's what I love about this site. Post a question and get fast, good, quality responses! Pat....That's exactly what I'm looking for!......Thanks.
 
Kenneth, I forgot to mention I really like your boat. It looks like works for a lot of different situations. I'm kicking myself for not getting one similar to yours. I had just boughten my 16' v-hull last summer and at the begining of last fall came accross an 18' set up similar to yours but with a steering wheel. Should have pulled the trigger! I most likely would have had to sell mine first and would have lost money there because of the fall, and didn't want to explain why I was storing TWO boats at the in-laws. Would have made getting to the cabin in Canada crossing Rainy Lake a little easier and Diver hunting on Lake Michigan.
 
How deep does your boat run? Any idea how much weight I would lose taking out all the fishing decks/live wells/steering works? I've got a new 20 HP Nissan. Do you think that would be sufficient to move a 17ft gutted bass boat? I know it won't be a speedster but will it do till I get something bigger?
 
Dont know about a stripped out 17' bass boat, but my 18 nissan pushes my 1440 mv jon about 24 mph.
 
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