I bought this 12 footer last week.  It's in good shape, just needed the paint freshened up.  I just painted it, next will be a small deck and some seats.  It's my first boat, can't wait til it's done:)

Before

After

Smooth paint job my friend

You'll have some fun with that-it'a get into some good tight spots others can't

Small deck and some seats huh :-?

Paint job that good you'll have to dress it up with some carpet

That's looking good.  

Lookin Sweet man!!!

nice paint...keep the pictures coming as you go. I love good jon boat mod.

what did you use to spray the paint on?

I bought a air powered HVLP sprayer from Harbor Freight for 15 bucks.  I used an oil based exterior enamel from Sherwin Williams.  Right out of the can the paint was too thick for the sprayer, I thinned it down with a few cap fulls of mineral spirits and it sprayed nicely.  Harbor Freight is great for some things, especially when you need a tool that you know you won't use much, so any cheapo will do.  Here's a pic of the sprayer.

sweet paint job...i just hope you used the right type of paint and primer....but the paintjob looks real nice!

I covered the rear bench with plywood and carpet.  Another piece of plywood sits on the rear one inch of the bench and extends back to the transom to cover up the battery, which will just sit there and can be lifted out(the plywood).  On the middle bench I also put plywood and will carpet over it.  There is another piece that sits on the front one inch of the middle bench and extends forward 13 inches that will hinge off of the bench piece making a storage compartment.  Just need to finish carpeting and add a couple seats:)

Looking good!!!

Did Sherwin Williams also have the metal etching primer or did you go with another brand?  Details are critical, lots of guys use these threads as references to do their own.  

Keep the pics coming too!!

Don't shoot me:) I didn't use primer.  I sanded the original paint with 200 grit, cleaned it well, and painted 2 coats, sanding in between.  I was worried because after 24 hours I could still scrape it hard with my fingernail and the paint would scratch.  After 2 days it hardened up nicely.  I can't scratch it now, not without tools anyway.  Today I will finish the carpet and add a plug in receptacle for the TM on the back deck.

Just finished the carpet and put the hinges on the storage compartment.

That is very nice and clean. If you wouldn,t mind please take a picture of the inside of your storage compartment so i can see how you supported the independent side. I might just want to steal your idea ;D

That is very nice and clean. If you wouldn,t mind please take a picture of the inside of your storage compartment so i can see how you supported the independent side. I might just want to steal your idea ;D

I just cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit across the boat.  I attached a 2x2 across the top inside part of it to give it support so it wouldn't flex.  I put it up against the rib that runs side to side so I could screw it to it with some self tapping screws.  You can see that the lid sits on an inch of the aluminum bench so the weight bears on the bench and not on the hinges when someone stands on it.

Looks pritty cool!!

FisherDave

Nice clean upgrade! Keep us posted!  

Very nice Ilike the color .Keep us posted  8-)

thanks soo much, i was trying to find a way to make a storage compartment that was simple and strong enough to support the weight of a person, but now i finally found an easy way to do it

thanks jemackinnon,

teenage angler

looks very nice, Wish i had a garage to work in so i can start on mine- keep us posted with any new upgrades  

I built a "console" with 2 cup holders and installed the Hummingbird 525.  I also put the seat on the rear bench.  I've got the 11" pedestal I can use if I want, I'll take it and try it on the water this weekend.  I still need to install 2 rod holders and another seat mount on the middle bench, oh yeah, and hook up the depth finder:)

I'd like to see pics of how you mount the transducer if possible. Thanx  

Matt

I mounted the TM transducer to the transom with thru bolts and wing nuts.  There is a nut on the outside to keep the bolt in place.  It's easily removed for when I have to drag it to the water.  I started to build a mount out of wood that hooked on the boat and dipped down in the water, but I thought it'd be ugly, so I did this instead.  Snaps or velcro also crossed my mind, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Thank you sir!

Oh yeah.....it's a little lower than I intended.  I held it up to the boat to mark and drill the holes, but when I put the nut on behind the transducer it held it out off the boat about 1/4", thus lowering it a little because of the transom angle.  It oughtta work the way it is though.

Nice work!  Have fun sneakin up on those lunkers