~~New Life for an old Smoker Craft ~~

[MotoBoat]

So that is a 16footer your working on. Cannot really tell by looking at the pictures. The stability is definitely better on that than the smaller 12 or 14ft versions. Again, curiosity lurks. Will the bottom of the open area have a level sub floor to stand on? I bet the dog would really appreciate the warmth of that over a cold aluminum floor to lay on. But then, he will probably be steering the boat most of the time.....Ha!

I had noticed your not using treated wood. I had read somewhere that the older version of treated wood, adversely effects aluminum when in contact. Something in the treated wood causing a dissimilar metals reaction or something? Could you mention what you know about that?

[edge540]

So that is a 16footer your working on. Cannot really tell by looking at the pictures. The stability is definitely better on that than the smaller 12 or 14ft versions. Again, curiosity lurks. Will the bottom of the open area have a level sub floor to stand on? I bet the dog would really appreciate the warmth of that over a cold aluminum floor to lay on. But then, he will probably be steering the boat most of the time.....Ha!

I had noticed your not using treated wood. I had read somewhere that the older version of treated wood, adversely effects aluminum when in contact. Something in the treated wood causing a dissimilar metals reaction or something? Could you mention what you know about that?

Yea it has a flat aluminum floor plate, I have a sheet of ply wood with carpet on it to go on the floor for the dog but I will pull it out in the warmer months so he can lay on the cool floor when he gets hot. I went with standard lumber and coated it with a couple coats of Thompson water seal and then painted it to match with rustoleum. Treated wood is extremely corrosive to an aluminum boat. You can actually have holes corrode in the hull around the contact points in less then a year with the right conditions. Not sure exactly what chemical is the culprit but its bad stuff.

[G-Man]

The problem chemical is copper sulfate. Copper and aluminum are dissimilar metals and when in contact with one another, aluminum will become the anode and corrode quickly. Of course, if you can take moisture out of the equation, you can prevent the reaction. However, we all know that is just about impossible on a boat.

[MotoBoat]

The problem chemical is copper sulfate. Copper and aluminum are dissimilar metals and when in contact with one another, aluminum will become the anode and corrode quickly. Of course, if you can take moisture out of the equation, you can prevent the reaction. However, we all know that is just about impossible on a boat.

What is the best scenario, to solve the issue when using a bunk type trailer?

[Mike Carey]

The attention to detail is really impressive. I know where to go someday when I have to gut my boat.

[G-Man]

The problem chemical is copper sulfate. Copper and aluminum are dissimilar metals and when in contact with one another, aluminum will become the anode and corrode quickly. Of course, if you can take moisture out of the equation, you can prevent the reaction. However, we all know that is just about impossible on a boat.

What is the best scenario, to solve the issue when using a bunk type trailer?

#1 Don't use pressure treated wood.
#2 Paint the hull of your boat.
#3 Use enough guide slicks to make sure that none of the carpet and or wood makes contact with the hull.

I can't imagine any boat trailer manufacturer using wood treated with a copper based chemical for their bunks. If you need to replace them go with untreated select grade pine/fir or if you are a big spender, clear cedar.

[edge540]

The attention to detail is really impressive. I know where to go someday when I have to gut my boat.

Id be glad to help when time allows, Let me know

The problem chemical is copper sulfate. Copper and aluminum are dissimilar metals and when in contact with one another, aluminum will become the anode and corrode quickly. Of course, if you can take moisture out of the equation, you can prevent the reaction. However, we all know that is just about impossible on a boat.

What is the best scenario, to solve the issue when using a bunk type trailer?

#1 Don't use pressure treated wood.
#2 Paint the hull of your boat.
#3 Use enough guide slicks to make sure that none of the carpet and or wood makes contact with the hull.

I can't imagine any boat trailer manufacturer using wood treated with a copper based chemical for their bunks. If you need to replace them go with untreated select grade pine/fir or if you are a big spender, clear cedar.

I have to agree 100% Just go with your standard hem/fir lumber and throw a little water sealer or paint on if you like and they will last for 5-10 years real easy. If they start to be an issue get $20 out and replace them again. I painted mine before I carpeted them, Think about how much time they are actually in the water or wet. They should be dry 99% of the time and not much of an issue. The BIG THING here is to use carpet glue and stainless steel staples( normal staples will rut out in less then a year).

[edge540]

One other note on bunks, Get a can of silicone spray and keep it in the tow rig, Spray them down every 4 or 5 times out before you pick the boat back up and it will slide like ball bearing rollers

[bassplayer17]

Steve nice work can't wait to come down fish out of it. Id like to fish some of those lakes down there . Just need it to warm up some .

[edge540]

Steve nice work can't wait to come down fish out of it. Id like to fish some of those lakes down there . Just need it to warm up some .

Heck yea, Ill get you out on some of "My Lakes." Cant wait for the warmer weather to hit, I figure the boat will be finished in 2 weeks and with some luck the lakes will be ready to give up some fish

[edge540]

I slowed it down a bit, been working 10-12hrs a day all week so not a whole lot of energy left for the boat. Picked up some more parts at limit out tonight and got to work on the plumbing. I basically did a full "mock up" now its time for a few days of plumbing and electrical so all the cool stuff works. Cleaned the shop, pulled the decks back out so I can finish it. I got my seat posts but the seats wont be here for a week ( stupid cabellas 12 day free shipping) Live well is about done but I need one more thru hull fitting, thin its time for some wiring.

[MotoBoat]

What is your live well liner made of? I can't make out in the picture. If it is a one piece pre-made liner or made it your self/form it type product.

[edge540]

What is your live well liner made of? I can't make out in the picture. If it is a one piece pre-made liner or made it your self/form it type product.

Its a clear Rubbermaid storage bin, seems pretty tough. I framed under and around it for support. I could have painted it but I was worried it might become brittle. 90qt storage bin a at wall mart + $15

[MotoBoat]

What is your live well liner made of? I can't make out in the picture. If it is a one piece pre-made liner or made it your self/form it type product.

Its a clear Rubbermaid storage bin, seems pretty tough. I framed under and around it for support. I could have painted it but I was worried it might become brittle. 90qt storage bin a at wall mart + $15

Alrighty then. Way to look at something on the shelf at Wally World and say, Hmmmm I think this would make a good live well liner.

What is the fitting at the bottom of the live well for? Water inlet or aerator or?

[edge540]

The one in the bottom is a drain that when un-plugged will dump all the water out the line thru the transom. Water is picked up at the transom through the screened inlet and aerated/pumped through the nozzle on the left side and then drains out the right side to another thru hull fitting.

[Rosann G]

Spray furniture polish like Pledge will work on the bunks to keep them slippery too, just don't drive the boat on too hard. Ha ha! Bill almost did that the first time we used it.
Your Smoker looks really great. We added front and back platforms and a rod locker on one side to our first Smoker but nothing as fancy as you are doing.

[edge540]

Spray furniture polish like Pledge will work on the bunks to keep them slippery too, just don't drive the boat on too hard. Ha ha! Bill almost did that the first time we used it.
Your Smoker looks really great. We added front and back platforms and a rod locker on one side to our first Smoker but nothing as fancy as you are doing.

Thats a great idea, Who doesnt have a can of pledge around? I actually detail my vehicles with pledge, dust flies rite off the dashbords I usually have a can in the console of my tow rig since im always getting my interior messy.

I remember landing my old reinell on the trailer in a HEAVY surf at radando years ago... thought I was going to end up in the back of the truck but all worked out well I slammed onto the trailer on a following wave and my buddie snapped the winch hook and burned rubber up the ramp. Good times

[edge540]

I sure wish my seats and bilge pump were here. I got all the plumbing and electrical finished. Shut off the lights in the shop to show the lights working. It will be really nice after an evening of fishing to be able to stow all the gear without needing a flashlight to see what im doing. The light are all switched separately and there are two separate live well pumps one that in aerates fresh water coming in from the transom and overflows out the side of the boats thru hull fitting. The other is a recirculating pump that runs on a timer to save the batteries. I Hope to gave time and a break in the rain to take it out on the pond in the morning

[Rosann G]

Really cool, I'm going to have to show Bill tomorrow. You have done a really good job on it. Hope you get to take it out on a maiden voyage soon.

[edge540]

She floats Went out and played on my pond for an hour and a half and tested all systems. Live well works awesome!!! The Fill pump works great and you can drain most of the water out just pulling the plug in the bottom before you get to the trailer. Its still stable as heck and I can walk on the side benches to get from the front to the back without feeling tippy at all.

When I got done I found out the wife had been snapping pics of me from the front porch so Ill post em. Note the pics of me standing on the sides of the back corner