Complete Aluminum Mod V Fishing Boat Rebuild - 14' Mirrocraft - From Start to Finish

[@tonyvaldivia7300]

Boat interiors wear out. It's the nature of the beast. And for those of us who don't want to spend to buy a new(er) boat, this is the route one takes and I commend you for the work you did and money you saved! YOWZA!!

[@jonstorm2219]

Thanks! Worth it for sure!

[@WitchDRofKabul]

Very cool. Love what you did. This looks much easier to fish from versus three bench seats and an uneven floor 😂. Had to be a ton of work, but hey, bigger reward

[@oxman1834]

I just picked up a old Delcraft. Has the transom welded to the hullside and hull bottom. I was amazed at that. Not riveted together like so many.!!

[@jonstorm2219]

That’s cool!

[@vinhha6073]

I wish I can have $$$ and get a use boat.. and bring my son to fish... I respect you as a super good father, and a very good and handsome young man there...👍👍

[@fishinfx3072]

Thanks for the great comment. Lots of great fishing in streams and ponds - don’t ever let a boat keep you from fishing. Kayaks and canoes are another option!

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

Vinh Get a used 12 or 14 footer for you and your son. They only run about $4-500. Less than 1 week of work. ! Don’t let anything stop you. I’m 55 and going to buy one.

[@MadebyCaldwell]

This was an awesome video!

[@jonstorm2219]

Hey thanks!

[@johndcoutureii9193]

Nice job fella"s! You guy"s are having fun now.

[@jonstorm2219]

John Couture II yes we are!!!

[@earlmcginty5355]

My Mirrocraft has been fully restored like yours even the colors are the same except I have white on top and green on the bottom. Mine is a real looker.

[@fishinfx3072]

Wow man that’s really cool!! Can you share some pics or a vid?

[@timbiffis6306]

I have the same boat Did you lose a little integrity with the middle seat bench gone as a cross support? Looks great and practical Im thinking of doing a walk-through also. Thanks

[@UncannyCheeto]

Do you have more pictures of how you did the middle section base floor? I have a Vhull boat that i am not sure how to secure a floor to. The interior looks similar to yours but my ribs down come up the sides as far.

[@fishinfx3072]

Let me check the video

[@slabhunter3072]

This is a real nice video good stuff

[@fishinfx3072]

Thanks slab hunter! It’s a great boat for crappie and bull bluegill

[@theweswillard]

Great job!

[@jonstorm2219]

Hey thanks!

[@waynebrown1609]

Awesome

[@fishinfx3072]

Thanks!

[@30secondswithDan]

Great job! I have a vhull also but the sides aren’t as tall. Do you think I’ll be able to do something similar?

[@fishinfx3072]

I would think so, yes!

[@nicks1294]

Love the build, I have a very similar boat I’m redoing, it’s a 14’ sea nymph. How is the paint holding up on the exterior? I’m going to be doing the exterior of the boat in a couple months and plan on using the same primer and probably total boat paint

[@jonstorm2219]

The exterior is holding up reasonably well. It’s rubs off in spots with harsh contact, like when tied up to docks. If I did it again I would definitely run a few clear coats on top of the paint for protection. Thanks for the question and good luck!

[@darrengillesdarrengilles8336]

Hm it's a small boat I think after watching this I would have scrapped the 2x4's and gone with 1" alum tubing for everything to maximize space I would also have used expanding foam in the nooks crannies and under floor, nice job overall.

[@fishinfx3072]

Tubing would be great. But for me it was a cost and time issue. I’m a good carpenter so wood was more natural. And I trailer the boat, and keep inside or under good cover, so there’s been zero degradation with the wood over 5-plus years. Looks like the day I finished it!

[@shortcircuit2001]

Great work! I am in the works of an old starcraft. Did you replace transom with plywood or dimensional lumber?

[@jonstorm2219]

Thanks! I replaced it with a doug fir dimensional lumber finished on all sides before installing with min wax spar urethane.

[@J33-v5j]

I like what you did with the boat. I have a 10' mirrocraft I'd like to fix up. Did you have benches in the boat before you fixed it up? Mine does, and I'd like to know how they installed them because I have to cut out some metal on the bench to remove them. The benches have foam in them that keep the boat afloat if it tips so I'm a little Leary about removing them.

[@fishinfx3072]

J 33 yes the boat had bench seats - three of them. You can see the original boat in the first part of the video. They were held in by brackets. I unscrewed the benches from the brackets, then drilled out the rivers and relocated the brackets as needed. In the rear I actually reattached the bench and attached plywood on top of it. The benches keep the boat pulled together, so if you remove one, you need to replace it with some type of cross-tie or lengthwise stabilizer. I took the foam from underneath the seats and packed it under the seats and deck. The boat still floats if filled with water (tested it).

[@J33-v5j]

@@fishinfx3072 Thank you for the info, that was important information I need to know. I was going to take out one of the benches and hadn't even thought about the structural support that it provided.

[@stevencarter9296]

Any issue with weight or stability with all the wood? What kind of wood did you use

[@fishinfx3072]

Regarding weight, it of course sits a bit lower, but not appreciably. A full sheet of 1/2-inch marine plywood weights 42 pounds. Use two and a few 2x4s and you’re only adding about 100 pounds.

[@xcaliberwolf6090]

I wish I could find another cheap boat like this. I restored a 1953 larson 14ft with wood side rails and gunnels. Total cost is around 1000 for the boat, trailer, motor, and all the supplies. If u want I can send some pictures of it.

[@fishinfx3072]

Yeah I’d love to see it! And you’re right, these old boats are actually pretty expensive, although they might come down I price given the current economic conditions.

[@xcaliberwolf6090]

@@fishinfx3072 do you have an instagram or facebook or email?

[@pedrogomez3168]

Awesome. Say question for you did you sand over the bottom rivets?? How did you get the bottom to shine before you painted? I find that sanding shaves the rivet . Was that the cause for you as well ?

[@fishinfx3072]

No, I used a wire wheel

[@rjptrucking4598]

Did you notice any flex? Been wanting to do this to a 16'

[@jonstorm2219]

You mean flex in the sidewalks? No I haven’t.

[@rjptrucking4598]

@@jonstorm2219 do you think it'll be fine doing this to a deep v lund 16'

[@Hawaiibohntr]

How much weight did you add (just a guess) I load mine in the back of my pickup truck it's a 12 foot Gamefisher and me at #280 it's really unstable. Hopefully by adding weight should stabilize it some, but being to heavy to load is a concern, the only level spot besides the back yard is my driveway, so I have no room for a trailer.

[@fishinfx3072]

Maybe 150 pounds? That’s without the trolling motor mount and stuff. Definitely stick to marine plywood if weight is a concern. It’s the lightest!

[@brianchisnell1548]

Modified Vee if it is flat bottomed at the stern.

[@jonstorm2219]

True!

[@dallaserickson4146]

What kind of brazing rod did you use with propane torch? I got some brazing rods that I couldn't even melt with map gas.

[@jonstorm2219]

I used a Hobart 1/8” aluminum, which I believe I purchased at tractor supply. Make sure you heat the work, not the rod. If your rod won’t melt when you touch it to the work, you can cheat a little and direct the flame at the tip of the rod, but only for a second or two.

[@dallaserickson4146]

@@jonstorm2219 Thanks. I've braze welded with oxy but no luck with lower heat gas. Pre flux coated? Be good to have in truck while out. I accidentally put hole in uncle's little John boat years ago and tried fixing it with a rubber worm.

[@jonstorm2219]

Dallas Erickson no flux

[@luis.g.vecchio]

What kind of wheel did you use on the angle grinder

[@jonstorm2219]

I used this wheel from Harbor Freight: www.harborfreight.com/4-in-crimped-wire-cup-brush-60321.html?cid=paid_google|||60321&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4v2EBhCtARIsACan3nzR4ph-fn83oRtEqYUziVdyBfpNIju5V5CKDzxsyZbcY8G7AiWixR4aAg7kEALw_wcB

[@JT-bl2gd]

What type of framing did you put under the plywood sub flooring on the V hull? I see what you did at the Bow with aluminum framing. I am just wondering what’s underneath the floor and how it’s secured?

[@jonstorm2219]

J T I used aluminum angle secured to the ribs - same thing I did under the casting deck, except the angle was only a few inches above the floor of the boat. I set the plywood in, marked each side in the ribs, took the plywood out, then ran a line from mark to mark and figured where exactly to put the angle for each rib.

[@JT-bl2gd]

Thank you so much for the reply. As far as the type of aluminum angle, did you use 1/16 or 1/8? My boat is a 16 foot deep V hull with three bench seats. Structurally, is there an issue with removing one of these seats?

[@jonstorm2219]

J T I’m traveling but will check on the size aluminum. Yes the bench seats are critical for structure - they stabilize the sides. I overcame that by leaving the bow and stern bench brackets in place, then using them to tie in the bow and rear. The I stabilized the middle with storage areas.

[@Backwater-wanderer]

In regards to the foam in the benches, did you reuse the same foam? And the same amount? Thanks! Your boat looks great

[@jonstorm2219]

Yep, I reused the foam from under the seats. And we did have a disaster when an unknown road hazard punctured the side. We launched and the boat filled with water about 1/3 and still floated. You could also spray expanding foam under their floor or deck. Just be careful. It’s powerful stuff and it could blow out your rivers if it doesn’t have a place to expand. I also think the wood helps float the boat for a bit too.

[@Backwater-wanderer]

@@jonstorm2219 thanks for the tip! Looking forward to upgrading my mirrocraft. I definitely will subscribe!

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

@@jonstorm2219 Thanks for the tip on using great stuff for replacing old rotted styrofoam. I plan on getting an old rowboat and storing it out in the yard. Animals like to destroy that stuff. Great stuff also works if you’re filling a hole in a wall and you just want to skim coat it with mortar or cement.

[@barryiwashita6352]

Didn’t see any protection for all that plywood from water ?... it’ll soak with water soon enough ,wouldn’t it ?

[@jonstorm2219]

Barry Iwashita I haven’t had any issues. Most of it is exterior grade. I trailer the boat, and use a cover when stored outside. I also used a hole saw to cut a 2” hole in the deck for ventilation and shop vac. When I have several days of sun I uncover and let it breathe, if needed.

[@ryanmclaughlin8708]

How did you install the wood side rails at 7:00?

[@jonstorm2219]

Ryan Mclaughlin I used lag bolts with washers - they were either 1/4 or 3/8 - installed from the outside so they suck the wood tight against the sides. Be generous with the silicone before you tighten them down. Still watertight after 3 years. You want the edge of the 2x4 to stabilize the boat side, like a floor joist.

[@ryanmclaughlin8708]

Thanks was wondering how effective it would be at being water tight and that gives me confidence to set it up thanks again for the idea

[@jonstorm2219]

Ryan Mclaughlin also be sure to bring the sides in to final shape before attaching any structure. I used the tie-down strap with a come-along that you see in the photo.

[@ralphgomez78]

How did you secure the floor

[@fishinfx3072]

Sorry, somehow I missed your comment. I used aluminum angle across, riveted to the ribs, then screwed the floor to the angle.

[@nicknutting4385]

How wide is this boat

[@jonstorm2219]

Nick, I will measure and get back to you

[@fishinfx3072]

Nick Nutting its 60 inches inside gunnel to gunnel at midpoint

[@MrBassinhuntin]

Thanks for the time and videoing your Restoration. Oh and check out my upgrades on my G3 Sportsman for more ideas at kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3OkYniuqr12kNE

[@jonstorm2219]

Wow your customized G3 is awesome

[@pstrap1311]

So, do you live in Cuba or something?

[@dennismosley9163]

I have 15 aluminium want to do the same thing want some help bro

[@jtbassgambler2594]

Making boat more heavier lol this iscwhy i don't add deck

[@Bass_attack7755]

Find yourself some old road signs (big ones for highway) heavy enough to support weight with framing. Less weight overall

[@edstimator1]

OK...two seconds in....they have a tool for removing rivets in a professional manner.

[@fishinfx3072]

Guess I'm old school

[@michaelbradley7529]

Wow a lot of questionable technics being used in this build and all the comments are like " great job". I just don't get it.

[@fishinfx3072]

Okay let’s hear them. I can testify that it’s all held up. And we tested it and it floats - won’t sink. 4 years later and the boat has fished Hundreds of days all over - Quebec, Ontario, Champlain, Niagara River, Erie, Kinzua. Fish-catching machine!

[@dennismosley9163]

Where are you ...lol

[@dennismosley9163]

But seriously where are u bro?