so my father in law gave me a canoe a few months back. It's a 1987 michiccraft aluminum 14 foot. I've been working on making it my lake vessel since well it's free,a nd im on a budget lol. I've been able to clean and paint the inside, remove one of the three thwart bars, add foam padding, made DIY Rod holders, and built the frame for the back of my truck for hauling. I plan to add a trolling motor and mount and a humminbird piraña max. I just got the numbers put on it from the tax collector, and started cleaning the old decals off. It's a 39" beam in the center super stable canoe I can stand and paddle or fish no problem. Just wanted to show the younger guys or budget conscious guys a free canoe or boat and a lil work can be rewarding!

A few more progress pics it wouldn't let me add to original post

Nice! That's the way to make do with what you have and make it work for you.

Thanks I'm trying lol! It's coming along

Nice Job ~

 

Don't forget to install your "Floor"

 

 

A-Jay

It's on the list!

I'd also recommend that you consider what your anchoring requirements might be - because you're probably going to need one. . . . . eventually.

 

One suggestion is to mount a small cleat to the top of the gunwale (on your strong hand side) just behind where you sit but where it can still be reached to pull up. 

 

The anchor & line can be stored behind you at the stern.  A mess draw string bag works well to contain the line while still allowing it to dry after use.   

 

A-Jay

I actually have a mushroom anchor not sure if it van be seen in the loaded pic or not at the dock. I need to get a cleat tho. That's an excellent idea for position thanks so much!

And the 5 gallon bucket in the pic will be replaced by the battery for the trolling motor. I just fill it for water and place it in the bow for ballast

Looking good - have fun!  

 

.....................................................................................................................and make sure you wear a PFD !  

Thanks so much!

I have to say, like I said in the other thread, thats a sweet rod holder design(I already stole the idea), and nice build.

Thanks a lot everyone! More to come im working on a trolling motor mount now. Due to the design of the flotation caps a lot of them won't work. But Meyers boats owns michiccraft now. So I have an email in to them. I believe there pre made mount for the sportspal will work on this boat! Gotta add a cleat to the flotation cap for anchoring, and a get a battery box. Other than that it's pretty much ready to roll.

Nice work man. I love to see guys save old stuff like that and make it serviceable again. Even if it did float to start out now it's your canoe.

Nice ride man!

Thanks a lot guys more pics to come soon!

Added a zig zag cleat today for anchoring. Only put one on the back by my seat for now.

Added a sticker lol! Trolling motor and mount soon!

A co worker had this mount he never even used once! I had to add a hole to make it work on my canoe but that was no big deal. Scored it for $20!!!!

Sweet.

 

A-Jay

Yes - a very clean mount - good score !

It really is a nice clean mount. Way better than what I was going to make and much easier route! Thanks guys

Well it's a month later pretty much but I got a motor guide 30# thrust motor with a composite shaft, went to a local battery shop and got a recon group 27 deep cycle and a 1.5 amp hr trickle charger. Extended the wiring and got some Velcro straps to try and keep it neat and tidy as possible. She's pretty much finished for now. Later on maybe a second battery for longer days on bigger lakes and a depth finder but for now she's complete. Gonna take her out on Friday after work I believe

Looking good!

Thanks a lot nice thing is to everything I've done can basically be transferred to another canoe or Jon boat some day if anything happens to this one