Thanks to this article I finally got my first boat.  I found an individual near me with a boat, knocked on the door no answer.  Left a note and got a call back the next day.  I was able to get the 12' jon boat, fairly new battery, and a 40 lbs 5 speed MinnKota Trolling motor for $275.  I felt like it was a pretty good deal.  There aren't any noticeable holes, probably a few pin holes that will need patched, and the Transom boards are beginning to rot and will need replaced.  All in all I am pretty happy with my buy.

 

Any suggestions on replacing the Transom boards? I was thinking of getting a pressure treated board sealing and then painting it.

good deal man, it will change your fishing life

Don't go pressure treated, get marine grade. New pressure treated wood has chemicals that don't react well with aluminum. Other than that, sounds like a good deal. In my area you would probably find that for $700+ even without a trailer

Now its time to do a bass boat conversion!

Time to check out www.tinboats.net they have more information for tin boats and modifications then you can find anywhere else.

Congrats!  Ditto on the tinboats.net site suggestion by speed craw.

I thought I would give you guys a few pictures of the boat.  Getting pretty excited to get it out on the water.

As you can see the old owner has welded on an set of small tires.  Makes it super easy to pull around, although I am not sure I will leave them at the boat only weighs around 50 lbs with no gear in it.  I can easily throw it in the back of my truck.  Also a good look at the Transom that he placed on the exterior of the boat that is rotting away that needs to be removed.

Nice buy. The transom boards on the outside are a little different. If those tires aren't causing performance problems they may be useful to get to little ponds If you can get a boat where others can't it can be worth the effort. I have patched little holes with JB weld and it works great and last for years. Onward and upward

I picked up a few new hardware to attach the transom and got some JB Weld to fill some holes.  I got it all cleaned out and the old wood removed.  The fitted Transom board that wasn't just added on is still in decent shape.  I am going to continue to use it for now.  I should have it water ready today or tomorrow depending on the rain.

That is cool that he put those brackets on there for the wheels! Is that an axle that goes all the way through such that he kept them on all the time and fished with them on? LOL, that's even cooler if so. It's actually a good idea for a pond fisherman.

you are ready to roll now!

The wheels are permanent.  I could take them off but they are designed to be on full time.  I like the idea quite a bit for when I got fishing by my self.