Converting existing hulls into sneak boats

Ronald Bock

Ronald Bock

New member
I built a nice sneak boat when I was younger. It started as plans for a nice little skiff. It morphed into having a top with splash rails, hatches, etc. It putted around using a 5hp Sea King motor ( getting idea of age?). Simple little boat that I killed hundreds of ducks out of.
I just ended up with a nice jon boat in fantastic shape in exchange for snow plowing. I'm seriously thinking about removing most of the center seat and building a cockpit in it. Once that is in place I'd put 1/4" plywood over the rest of the top and gluing/screwing it down to the gunwales all the way around.
Essentially taking a squarish jon and putting a top on it with a cockpit. Anybody seen such an abomination or tried it?
It's either that or a tube frame and camo netting.
 
Yep, it’s been done by past or current site members!
Long time members: Who was the guy out west that had a boat like this? I think his name was Dave. Had a creek on his property he hunted. I sold him beaver traps 10+ years ago.
Also, didn’t Scott Farris do this with a semi V?
 
Ronald Bock said:
I built a nice sneak boat when I was younger. It started as plans for a nice little skiff. It morphed into having a top with splash rails, hatches, etc. It putted around using a 5hp Sea King motor ( getting idea of age?). Simple little boat that I killed hundreds of ducks out of.
I just ended up with a nice jon boat in fantastic shape in exchange for snow plowing. I'm seriously thinking about removing most of the center seat and building a cockpit in it. Once that is in place I'd put 1/4" plywood over the rest of the top and gluing/screwing it down to the gunwales all the way around.
Essentially taking a squarish jon and putting a top on it with a cockpit. Anybody seen such an abomination or tried it?
It's either that or a tube frame and camo netting.
Click to expand...
Ronald~

I have converted a number of hulls into gunning boats over the years (decades, actually). Although this one is a 2-man Scooter (layout elsewhere in North America), the framing and decking process may be helpful:

https://stevenjaysanford.com/white-wing-2-man-scooter/

This one is a Sunfish conversion. If I did one again, I would tear off the decks and replace with 1/4-inch plywood with more crown.

https://stevenjaysanford.com/gilgo-gunboat-sunfish-conversion-to-layout-boat/

If you have LOTs of time, search here for my restoration of my Sneakbox Red-Leg (circa 2016 I think). It'll give you lots of how-to detail - and also some features I like in a gunning vessel.

Hope this helps!

SJS
 
I've decked over three different V & semi-V 14 -ft aluminum boats using wood, welded aluminum & solid rivet aluminum decks. No John boats - I'm not sure if they have enough free-board to be worth it. Photos to stimulate ideas and discussions.

60's wolverine w/ wood deck:
deckupsidedown.jpg
Readytoroll.jpg
BoardsBirdsEye.jpg


Starcraft aluminum welded

transomplug.jpg

2ndcolorstarbquart.jpg

14underwaycloseupRI.JPG

Sears w/ jet outboard - riveted aluminum
fitting stern deck.JPG

24Painted.JPG

Jet from the stern.JPG
 

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That Sears with the jet drive is precisely what I have in mind. On a jon boat with a 55lb thrust trolling motor. I'll have to remove/ modify the center seat. Thanks for the pictures.
 
I've always said "digging clams from a boat, doesn't make it a clam boat"
For what it's worth. That being said, I've seen some sweet conversions. But the "Frankenboats" certainly outweigh them.
 
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