This is AWESOME!!! I had done a small portion wood frame that just don't work here is the Southeast...too much humidity! Was going to quit but now after watching your vids I'm going to try to bring my gunboat back to life! Thanks for the videos!!!
I have a Deep Lake John Boat 12 feet in length with a side factory built-in live well. Hope to do a good build someday.Your work is inspiring to contemplate as possible.
I’d like to see how you do the bottom framing with a boat with ribs and some more detailed stuff on the outside edge framing and compartment lids. I’m bout to start a project on a 1654 grizzly thanks for all your info been super helpful.
Just found your channel. I love the craftsmanship and thoughtful layouts. Keep them coming. I think if you started welding you might lose some interest from the average DIYers, but if you preface that everything can still be done with rivets I'm not sure it'd make much of a difference.
Mike, sometips on looking into the camera or not. Look off like you are being interviewed by someone that is standing next to the camera or look right into the camera. Don't go back and forth. Looks cleaner. By the way great videos on builds. I am fixin to start my own build soon. I will use all of your expertise and everyone else's. Keep up the great work!
Hey Micheal another great video. Thank you for making these. I have spent a while trying to aluminum mod my boat with out using any holes. And decided I had to. But I heard you say this on one of your previous videos.
Just a suggestion, but instead of putting your aluminum flat strip across the top of your frame work to tie it all together why not put them on the under side of the top frame section then set it on your supports that way the entire top frame work will all be flush
Any decking material available other than marine grade plywood? I'm rebuild an open bow into sort of a fishing boat and have been looking for light weight decking material.
Michael Lopez - Hey man, if I send you my photos can you put a video up for me? It would be an honor for me to have you put it together. I'm about halfway there more or less.
Michael Lopez - indeed, I will. Thank you for the Link. By the way, while I have your ear, you're an awesome builder and thank you for all the inspiration and step by step training on how to do this. I'm an electrician and I can fix about anything, but working on this old boat is something I actually enjoy, a lot. I just wanted to say thanks, because of your videos I was inspired to purchase my first boat and start building. I hope when it is finally finished it'll be a contender in the TB Nation.
Did you ever do the vid on cost? My trailer rebuild is done and she looks good. I have the boat stripped and ready to start but I'm watching everything I can and became a patreon. I feel like what I'm doing is very simple in comparison to these fully decked boats but I still want to be sure it's right.
Hey Michael. I have a 14 ft like that #10 build u are doing or have done. Would like to see more on thAt boat. I need help on how to frame it and make it decently sturdy. I'm dying to convert it.
you mentioned not having a welder but watching a couple of your shows you use aluminum welding rod, ever try that for your frames? doesnt seem like it would take that much longer to stitch together some welds than drilling and riveting, or would the heat distort the metal too much.
Boat companies target anyone with even so-so credit that is impulsive and can be talked into a loan; that is not just wealthy or pro fisherman.They want the masses who live above their means. Much better to build one for 1/4 to 1/3 price of new. Get the satisfaction of building / designing something and become proficient at all the skills it requires to do so. Also, like Michael, you can spend time with your sons and daughters; time you can never get back. Love your channel......
So man, how do you attach it to the boat itself - you rivet it on the top? I also see you have put aluminum plates at the bottom that look like they have rivets. Is that right? So you add a bunch of holes with rivets on the bottom and the side? I have been looking for a good explanation for for the flooring and framing with the foam inserts but people stop before they say after they put the foam in how do they attach or put the flooring in or how do you keep the foam down. you have great videos but want to start my boat mod this summer and this is the last couple of questions I have.
Can you do a video on making the Lip around the hull? That would be a big help and I can't seem to find a video on that. Perhaps you know a video link.
Im curious on how you actually built the lip and attached it under the lid. is it just aluminum channel that is riveted to the aluminum deck bracing and you cut through it at the corners and bent it around the box?
thats what i figured, genius! i can not wait to do this on my build! precisely the type of boat we need for the smaller waters of the southern indiana areas. When using a wooden deck how do you keep the rivets from pulling through on the hatches?
How did you get the correct angle for the lip of the aluminum that borders the whole boat and supports the whole frame because i know they only sell it in 90 degrees? Thanks for the help
hey Michael , awesome vid brotha, how high was the edge of the front of the boat to the deck, was the deck pretty level to stand on when the boat was in the water
Just acquired a 2008 Tracker Grizzly 1448 that's like new. I'd like either raise the front decking 2 3/4" so I can lower the foot pedal and maybe add a few shallow stows or sink a foot pedal into the aluminum deck. I'd also like to extend the front deck 2' to give me more room and a couple stow boxes. Any suggestions?
I am converting my 1236 min boat to a bass boat. The question I have is , when attaching the sect to the framing, what is the method you use? The way that I am planning is to use threaded rivet nuts. I'd like to know what you think.
Help me out here. Doesn't cramming foam in and around everything under the deck help with floatation when it's sinking, Right? A boat floats because of displacement of water. Should I be putting foam board in every open space on my build? Also Im building a typical build with a 20 hp motor on a 1436.... it seems with all this aluminum framing materials that the boat will be much heavier than the 3 bench seated 1436 that it once was. I took out the middle and bow seats because of the possible weight gain. I assume the boat will float a tad deeper in the water but how deep is too much?
Do you have to do any welding for your builds or is it strictly rivets? Wanting to do my own build but I don't have a welder that does aluminum. Also how do you figure out your plans? I want to make sure my first build is my only build and I'm not kicking myself for not adding "Something" else
Great video !!! What gauge aluminum angle did you use ? Saw your vid on aluminum vs wood , I love the versatility of the aluminum and the smaller footprint of framing it allows !!! Was the aluminum expensive? I’m thinking of doing something like this but might substitute some of that angle with some 20 gauge 1 5/8 metal studs if it’s cheaper than the angle
Is all that aluminum that looks like straps actually angle bolted together and what are those containers that you made the live well and storage out of? Thanks
Dude your channel has me hooked. Great builds! Do you have merch for sale for tbnation?? I would like to wear it on the lake in my tinny so others can check this out.
Dude I've been wanting a small bass boat so bad. Just big enough for two people, but yer talking a minimum of 10k. For a basic bare bones boat. Your boats are inspiring! I live in Northern CA (Napa) and would be happy just to have a bass boat that could fish Lake Hennessy ( which is small). Fishing the Delta would be nice but you can't have what you can't afford right!? Are you in California and do you have instagram ?
well, Id love to get to talk to you brother, maybe pick your brain or something. I have a facebook and Instagram, check me out at Silverback Blades on FB or silverback_blades on IG if ya get the chance, Id really like to talk to ya my friend.
Amazing builds, but I'm lost why you add extra foam. You say buoyancy, but that's not true. The boat acts the way it is designed, you can't really alter the buoyancy that way. I see how you could think it though. BUT, I do love your framing an ingenuity with the hatches and stuff.
I’m going back to watch some of the old builds that are more around my tools and skill level. Amazing how far you’ve come
This is AWESOME!!! I had done a small portion wood frame that just don't work here is the Southeast...too much humidity! Was going to quit but now after watching your vids I'm going to try to bring my gunboat back to life! Thanks for the videos!!!
You’ve come a long way from this style of framing. Keep up the good work!
Great video!! And I love the ideas!!
That is really encouraging. I like the idea of rivits. And the mix of red wood. Good that your doing the foam. Thanks for sharing.
I support your mission
I have a Deep Lake John Boat 12 feet in length with a side factory built-in live well. Hope to do a good build someday.Your work is inspiring to contemplate as possible.
Great stuff mate. I'm putting a new floor in my Webster 14ft Aluminium twin hull here in Australia.
I learned a bit & got a few ideas, thanks.
Awesome video Michael....Spot on with your thoughts regarding bass boats and weekend anglers. Keep the great content coming.
Love these vids you give tons of inspiration. I like the aluminum build vs the wood.
Mike you da man keep it up... so many ideas for when I do get a boat lol can't wait. I will be defently be revisiting alot of your videos
Your builds are sick man! You helped me wire up a control panel on my build in another one of your videos! Keep it up!
I can't wait to start my project. Keep up the good work.
this is great..un believable guality keep it up
I’d like to see how you do the bottom framing with a boat with ribs and some more detailed stuff on the outside edge framing and compartment lids. I’m bout to start a project on a 1654 grizzly thanks for all your info been super helpful.
Yeah I watched a couple more think I’m figuring it out thanks agian
Just found your channel. I love the craftsmanship and thoughtful layouts. Keep them coming. I think if you started welding you might lose some interest from the average DIYers, but if you preface that everything can still be done with rivets I'm not sure it'd make much of a difference.
Looks awesome bud.
Mike, sometips on looking into the camera or not. Look off like you are being interviewed by someone that is standing next to the camera or look right into the camera. Don't go back and forth. Looks cleaner. By the way great videos on builds. I am fixin to start my own build soon. I will use all of your expertise and everyone else's. Keep up the great work!
Hey Micheal another great video. Thank you for making these. I have spent a while trying to aluminum mod my boat with out using any holes. And decided I had to. But I heard you say this on one of your previous videos.
54k views and counting part 1 V hull to bass boat
If you do get a welder, you might want to check out the Alpha Tig. I've been considering it.
Just a suggestion, but instead of putting your aluminum flat strip across the top of your frame work to tie it all together why not put them on the under side of the top frame section then set it on your supports that way the entire top frame work will all be flush
nice you have given me a lot of good ideas and i really enjoy watching your channel and learning how to make my boat better
gosh man its looking good! freaking amazing
Nice work - do you have an explanation of how you did the curved lip?
Very nice
Any decking material available other than marine grade plywood? I'm rebuild an open bow into sort of a fishing boat and have been looking for light weight decking material.
Michael Lopez - Hey man, if I send you my photos can you put a video up for me? It would be an honor for me to have you put it together. I'm about halfway there more or less.
Michael Lopez - I am boycotting face book. What is this patrion website you're talking about?
Michael Lopez - indeed, I will. Thank you for the Link. By the way, while I have your ear, you're an awesome builder and thank you for all the inspiration and step by step training on how to do this. I'm an electrician and I can fix about anything, but working on this old boat is something I actually enjoy, a lot. I just wanted to say thanks, because of your videos I was inspired to purchase my first boat and start building. I hope when it is finally finished it'll be a contender in the TB Nation.
Did you ever do the vid on cost? My trailer rebuild is done and she looks good. I have the boat stripped and ready to start but I'm watching everything I can and became a patreon. I feel like what I'm doing is very simple in comparison to these fully decked boats but I still want to be sure it's right.
What are the dimensions of the angled aluminum?
All of your bills look good but I have an 18 foot Jon boat, I would like to see you do a larger build. Will you do an 18 footer.
What is the size of the angled aluminum
Hey Michael. I have a 14 ft like that #10 build u are doing or have done. Would like to see more on thAt boat. I need help on how to frame it and make it decently sturdy. I'm dying to convert it.
I wish you lived in Miami Florida so you can do my boat... I got no boat building skills... lol
you mentioned not having a welder but watching a couple of your shows you use aluminum welding rod, ever try that for your frames? doesnt seem like it would take that much longer to stitch together some welds than drilling and riveting, or would the heat distort the metal too much.
Boat companies target anyone with even so-so credit that is impulsive and can be talked into a loan; that is not just wealthy or pro fisherman.They want the masses who live above their means. Much better to build one for 1/4 to 1/3 price of new. Get the satisfaction of building / designing something and become proficient at all the skills it requires to do so. Also, like Michael, you can spend time with your sons and daughters; time you can never get back. Love your channel......
How do you attach the aluminum lip to the boat? Do you just use rivets with seal around them to ensure no water leakage?
What kind of rivets do you use to attach your lip to the hull?
I do like what you do though
Do I need pop rivets or blind rivets? how many do you think id need to create a similar yet less complex build to yours?
So man, how do you attach it to the boat itself - you rivet it on the top? I also see you have put aluminum plates at the bottom that look like they have rivets. Is that right? So you add a bunch of holes with rivets on the bottom and the side?
I have been looking for a good explanation for for the flooring and framing with the foam inserts but people stop before they say after they put the foam in how do they attach or put the flooring in or how do you keep the foam down.
you have great videos but want to start my boat mod this summer and this is the last couple of questions I have.
How did you determine the line to follow for making your lip level so your top platform sits level in the water.
Can you do a video on making the Lip around the hull? That would be a big help and I can't seem to find a video on that. Perhaps you know a video link.
I did it when I framed a 1448 jon boat.
What size of rivets are you using? I just picked up all my aluminum and I'm going to begin framing soon.
what would you do with a fiberglass boat? i have a 1970 dagger boat boat i am redoing would you use the same stuff?
Im curious on how you actually built the lip and attached it under the lid. is it just aluminum channel that is riveted to the aluminum deck bracing and you cut through it at the corners and bent it around the box?
thats what i figured, genius! i can not wait to do this on my build! precisely the type of boat we need for the smaller waters of the southern indiana areas. When using a wooden deck how do you keep the rivets from pulling through on the hatches?
How did you get the correct angle for the lip of the aluminum that borders the whole boat and supports the whole frame because i know they only sell it in 90 degrees? Thanks for the help
hey Michael , awesome vid brotha, how high was the edge of the front of the boat to the deck, was the deck pretty level to stand on when the boat was in the water
How did you finish the top of your DIY livewell to reduce the opening like that?
Just acquired a 2008 Tracker Grizzly 1448 that's like new. I'd like either raise the front decking 2 3/4" so I can lower the foot pedal and maybe add a few shallow stows or sink a foot pedal into the aluminum deck. I'd also like to extend the front deck 2' to give me more room and a couple stow boxes. Any suggestions?
Great videos and passion for builds by the way! Hope you get to fish also!
Michael Lopez I found and requested to join tiny boat nation on FB
I am converting my 1236 min boat to a bass boat. The question I have is , when attaching the sect to the framing, what is the method you use? The way that I am planning is to use threaded rivet nuts. I'd like to know what you think.
Sorry, auto correct got me. Jon boat not min boat, and deck not sect
Hey Michael what do you use to seal your plywood? And are you using marine grade? Thanks man great videos 👍🏻👍🏻
Help me out here. Doesn't cramming foam in and around everything under the deck help with floatation when it's sinking, Right? A boat floats because of displacement of water. Should I be putting foam board in every open space on my build?
Also Im building a typical build with a 20 hp motor on a 1436.... it seems with all this aluminum framing materials that the boat will be much heavier than the 3 bench seated 1436 that it once was. I took out the middle and bow seats because of the possible weight gain. I assume the boat will float a tad deeper in the water but how deep is too much?
Yes, but use pour foam, not noodles
How did you make the lip for the frame to go along with the contour of the boat?
Do you have to do any welding for your builds or is it strictly rivets? Wanting to do my own build but I don't have a welder that does aluminum. Also how do you figure out your plans? I want to make sure my first build is my only build and I'm not kicking myself for not adding "Something" else
do an updated Carolina skiff build
On your hull framing. Did you use the standard rivets or sealed rivets
Standard
What are the dimensions on the aluminum you are using to frame everything?
Great video !!! What gauge aluminum angle did you use ? Saw your vid on aluminum vs wood , I love the versatility of the aluminum and the smaller footprint of framing it allows !!! Was the aluminum expensive? I’m thinking of doing something like this but might substitute some of that angle with some 20 gauge 1 5/8 metal studs if it’s cheaper than the angle
I would like to do this to my 15 foot war eagle duck blind special with a 6.0 Johnson outboard 54 inch wide
How do you level the angle with the keel of the boat?
It is a little creepy how you always avoid looking at the camera. Good content.
Is all that aluminum that looks like straps actually angle bolted together and what are those containers that you made the live well and storage out of? Thanks
What is HDPE boxes and where to get them. Is that al 1-1/2 angle the framing is done in for Lowes. Thanks, Tom
What size angle did you use? And thickness
Nice vid
What gallon tote box did you use. I just got a new empty valco 14ft boat and i wondering the gallon size.
Michael Lopez ok thanks and keep up the great content and builds!
Hey Michael...I stay in Ga...I have a 1542ft Jon...wanna know how much would you charge me for building my Jon for me out of aluminum...
I wish you would adjust your audio levels when you edit. They fluctuate from low high to back to low when you cut. It can be distracting.
hey man, where can I find the aluminum needed to do stuff like this?
Did you rivet through the boat with the aluminum lip and the bottom support ?
Did you worry about it at first and did you do anything extra to seal those
Dude your channel has me hooked. Great builds! Do you have merch for sale for tbnation?? I would like to wear it on the lake in my tinny so others can check this out.
Where do you get the ports around the boxes
That is so nice. Do you want to do the bow of my boat for me.
how thick of aluminum did you use?
Great informative vid man. So all those rivets go through the side and bottom of the boat? What do you for leak protection?
Epoxy or 3M 5200? Directly on the aluminum? Inside & out?
Thanks for the help!
I just bought my first boat and I'm trying to do something like this
How,did you bend the metal on the sides can you go more in detail when doing these trying to do,my own
Michael Lopez how do I look at that?
What is the aluminum framing called ? I couldnt find it on the list thanks
Step by step framing instructions please. I have no clue where to start
Dude I've been wanting a small bass boat so bad. Just big enough for two people, but yer talking a minimum of 10k. For a basic bare bones boat. Your boats are inspiring! I live in Northern CA (Napa) and would be happy just to have a bass boat that could fish Lake Hennessy ( which is small). Fishing the Delta would be nice but you can't have what you can't afford right!? Are you in California and do you have instagram ?
Great
How much do you charge for a conversion?
So Mike, do you build these for people?
well, Id love to get to talk to you brother, maybe pick your brain or something. I have a facebook and Instagram, check me out at Silverback Blades on FB or silverback_blades on IG if ya get the chance, Id really like to talk to ya my friend.
Can't you hear and bend the angle aluminum to make the lip? Looks like a lot of slotting and holes
*heat
What cut tool did you use to slot the 1/8 inch angle aluminum lip? Before you used the torch to heat them up and bend it?
@michael Lopez how can I get into contact with u to build me a boat?
I’m stocked
Opps stoked
In death live well vid please trying to find one for my boat
Mike, learn aluminum l brazen. I'm trying to learn, before I learn to weld.
Michael Lopez Ok. So you are saying the framing to the boat?
Amazing builds, but I'm lost why you add extra foam. You say buoyancy, but that's not true. The boat acts the way it is designed, you can't really alter the buoyancy that way. I see how you could think it though. BUT, I do love your framing an ingenuity with the hatches and stuff.
MrMosh931 its reserve buoyancy. If the boat is swamped it will still float.
Just so you know, "lasting for a minute" is not a very long time at all!
Third
Dude you seriously need to start using the toys you are building and let everyone else piss off
1st
How much is a remodel like that take in materials