*Products used in this boat build:* Dualpro RS4 Battery Charger: tbnation.net/products/dual-pro-realpro-series-battery-charger-24a-4-bank Hydroturf Brown Camp: tbnation.net/pages/search-results-page?q=Hydroturf RPD Side console: tbnation.net/products/rpd-1422-side-console-kit-for-jon-boat Wiring kit: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-electrical-kit Safety/Nav kit: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-safety-kit Framing kits: tbnation.net/products/boat-build-aluminum-kit Cable sleeves: tbnation.net/products/tb-nation-outboard-motor-sock-sleeve Trolling motor sleeves: tbnation.net/products/tb-nation-trolling-motor-sleeve-sock *Times & Chapters for this video:* 1:17 - The boat & it’s history. 2:17 - Does pour foam ruin the hull? 5:47 - Gutting the boat 10:39 - Framing the boat 13:02 - Plywood decks: Standard vs Marine-grade 14:12 - Subfloor, Front deck & dry lid install 15:07 - Resin-coating Plywood 18:29 - wooden boat lids - how to make 23:56 - Installing the new motor. 24:33 - Rod locker lid 26:07 - Offset hinges for wooden lids 30:11 - prepping the deck for hydroturf 31:13 - Old carpet glue: How to get it off 33:12 - Hydroturf install 34:22 - painting the interior 37:01 - replacing the gas vents 39:09 - Hydro-turf install continued 47:01 - Trolling motor install 49:05 - Paint job 50:42 - Wiring & rigging 51:00 - Turfing the subfloor 51:18 - Side console install & rigging 57:56 - Other critical items needed 52:49 - Initial water test 53:56 - Nate & Anthony test the boat 55:09 - Final end product of this boat restoration
I restored a 16’ 1981 tracker III, the decks are aluminum. And the foam was saturated, but after new foam, new wiring, lights etc.. it’s a great boat for a retired guy
It definitely is a good boat. Thank heaven this one was not near that far gone, and I could just salvage most of it without having to do much of anything.
Im a foreman for a fairly large construction company, my quiestion is who tf would ever criticize this channel?! Have they not actually watched the videos or seen your boats?!
I just needed to post a comment because there isn’t much of an option for reviews but if anyone is ever looking for boat stuff check these guys first. Their service is top notch, SUPER fast shipping and the best prices around. I bought some bunk carpet and hydro turf from then and it arrived faster than Amazon would have delivered it. TBN prices are cheaper than the actual manufacturer or Amazon prices by a considerable amount and free shipping on the order too. These guys should be your first stop for boat stuff. I’m a customer for life if they sell what I need I’ll buy it from them no doubt.
I love that rant about the haters. I'm a tradesman, but was taught early in my career that nobody knows everything and to keep an open mind to learning. Even from someone with less experience. I have even taught this to my kids . Thanks for sharing your know how. And much respect for being humble through from start to present.
I just joined the channel a couple days ago. What i see is your extreme attention to detail in your builds. I 'am getting up there in the years and want to downsize from my 21' to something smaller for back woods lakes but have all the bells & whistles of a large rig. You can't buy something like that, and your channel has lit the spark of building imagination for me. Thanks for all the excellent content TBN and keep up the good work!!!!!
I have the same boat, a 1988 model. I am the 3rd owner. It was and still is kept inside when not in use. I even got the original cover that is still in pretty good shape. I did repower the old Mercury Classic 50 to a 50 HP Suzuki 4 stroke. It is super solid and super reliable.
I have to say thank you for making these videos. I’ve been wanting a boat for a long time but there’s always something that comes up so it’s been put on hold but I’m going to be picking up one of these bass trackers soon. At first I was going to just get a John boat but I’d rather have one already set up with a side console. I can weld and all that and I was a mechanic before I bought a semi truck and started driving trucks so these videos have given me enough info and confidence to not be worried about tearing into an older boat and redoing one. Thanks TBNation!!
I wish I was capable of doing this. I have so many ideas for a small john boat build but lack the skills to do this type of modification. These videos are awesome
You earn those skills by trying. Take your time, do your research, measure twice/cut once. I never knew how to rebuild a motor....until I did it. I've been a machinist, a mechanic, an electrician, and a farmer. I didn't know how to do any of those things until I started the job. You can do it
Thank you sir. Gave me just the right tips to do mine same boat 16 ft . My foam was wasted live in wester wa so lots of rain moss etc. with your info mine will get passed to my kids. Removed everything, that damn glue. Think mine was built on a Friday before a 3 day weekend bring your kid to work then they got pulled into a meeting “ just keep going kiddos “ foam omg. Glue. Omg. Piss poor fit finish they couldn’t find any 💩 let alone 2 to give. New foam, wood, rivets, paint, wiring, Eva foam. Went gray with black, white and red splatter. Thank you again hopefully my kids will enjoy it as well.
We need a shop here in n.c, I made a o.g one back in the day with a wooden deck, 12 36 it's about time to put aluminum in. Still turns heads though!! You guys are on point 👉
Hey TBN I have been watching your videos for a while and just got a killer 14-foot v-hull and just purchased one of your kits. it's going to be killer.👌👌
Keep it up man it’s awesome watching your work and channel grown, I remember watching the tracker build few years ago. When I think you may have had a few thousand followers. Keep up the good work man!
Been watching your channel for long time. Never had a reason to go to competition. You always do professional work. Your work looks better than factory. Keep up the pro work. Like you said don't worry about the crows as they are always trying to catch the EAGLE but they always loose when the Eagle flies higher. Thanks for the great videos.
Really nice project - makes me want to go derelict boat shopping for another project myself... also @29:26 I had to pause and just be in awe of the amount of tools on deck 🤣
Love this type of video. This helped me with a question I asked on the fb page earlier with the hatches for more of a budget build. Also what happened to the podcasts ??? Those kept me sane at work when I can’t blare my music on a job site 🤣 I even searched for other podcasts you were guests on.
@@TinyBoatNation the drain plug podcast. I listened to all the episodes on Apple lol. Was good info and good conversation. But I like the UA-cam lives also.
Said guys that only seek clout will never have a deeper understanding of anything. Excellent build Mike. Makes me wish I never traded in my Fisher Avenger SC14.
A suggestion for you....use polyurethane thinned to near water consistency with mineral spirits to waterprood your wood. You can roll or brush it on, put several coats, and it will penetrate very deeply into the wood, and the mineral spirits will evaporate off. I did this as the subfloor to a camper i built, and when i drilled out the holes to mount it, the wood came out in plasticy curly ques. I drove that trailer over 10,000 miles, through torrential rains, snow, and ice, and the wood was in perfect shape after 5+ years I believe it is cheaper than resin too, and doesnt degrade in UV as badly (not that a carpeted piece would suffer from that). Also, I thought that resin pours can crack if they flex, which i can only assume boat decks will do constabtly. Maybe im wrong on that part
@@TinyBoatNation thanks for the response. After I wrote that, I had the "duh" moment. I had been reading about, and bought plans to build stitch and glue boats, and forgot everything I knew, I guess
Seems like after all the hours and money put into rebuilds u could probably get a good used bassboat😂.Cool to see the process of restoration though, sure its satisfying
It’s the same process. They pretty much hook up the same. You just don’t have to worry about two-stroke oil anymore and it’s way quieter and more gas efficient
So I've got a question. I've been watching you for years and have been wanting to build one for as long, but Jon boat prices in arkansas have become absolutely stupid. Is it as realistic to use an old bass boat for a build? There's several 90s trackers here for sale way cheaper.
If you wanna do the work to redo fiberglass, then it will be a more stable, faster platform. They're just so much more maintenance than that of an aluminum boat.
Ive done a full restoration exactly like the v haul build but dont know what price to put on it what would you price it? Boat cost 600$ with the trailer and ive put around 4k on it plus maybe 200h of my time 🤔
@@TinyBoatNation yes I also understand what sponsors paying your way is and most people don’t have that luxury. Because everyone has 1k plus laying around to buy aluminum framing. So question is do YOU know what a budget is because I have yet to see proof that you do
That huge tear in the hull should have condemned that boat to the scrap heap. The shoddy repair below the water line is not safe. Not the right boat to restore.
lol bitching about the framing yet the boat is how old and has worked fine, just because its not over engineered like a youtube engineer would do doesnt mean its bad lol
*Products used in this boat build:*
Dualpro RS4 Battery Charger: tbnation.net/products/dual-pro-realpro-series-battery-charger-24a-4-bank
Hydroturf Brown Camp: tbnation.net/pages/search-results-page?q=Hydroturf
RPD Side console: tbnation.net/products/rpd-1422-side-console-kit-for-jon-boat
Wiring kit: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-electrical-kit
Safety/Nav kit: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-safety-kit Framing kits: tbnation.net/products/boat-build-aluminum-kit
Cable sleeves: tbnation.net/products/tb-nation-outboard-motor-sock-sleeve
Trolling motor sleeves: tbnation.net/products/tb-nation-trolling-motor-sleeve-sock
*Times & Chapters for this video:*
1:17 - The boat & it’s history.
2:17 - Does pour foam ruin the hull?
5:47 - Gutting the boat
10:39 - Framing the boat
13:02 - Plywood decks: Standard vs Marine-grade
14:12 - Subfloor, Front deck & dry lid install
15:07 - Resin-coating Plywood
18:29 - wooden boat lids - how to make
23:56 - Installing the new motor.
24:33 - Rod locker lid
26:07 - Offset hinges for wooden lids
30:11 - prepping the deck for hydroturf
31:13 - Old carpet glue: How to get it off
33:12 - Hydroturf install
34:22 - painting the interior
37:01 - replacing the gas vents
39:09 - Hydro-turf install continued
47:01 - Trolling motor install
49:05 - Paint job
50:42 - Wiring & rigging
51:00 - Turfing the subfloor
51:18 - Side console install & rigging
57:56 - Other critical items needed
52:49 - Initial water test
53:56 - Nate & Anthony test the boat
55:09 - Final end product of this boat restoration
I restored a 16’ 1981 tracker III, the decks are aluminum. And the foam was saturated, but after new foam, new wiring, lights etc.. it’s a great boat for a retired guy
It definitely is a good boat. Thank heaven this one was not near that far gone, and I could just salvage most of it without having to do much of anything.
I am retired and doing the same to the same.
I definitely don’t mind the raw videos. The candid information about the process is the juice. 😊
Good to know!
Im a foreman for a fairly large construction company, my quiestion is who tf would ever criticize this channel?! Have they not actually watched the videos or seen your boats?!
I just needed to post a comment because there isn’t much of an option for reviews but if anyone is ever looking for boat stuff check these guys first. Their service is top notch, SUPER fast shipping and the best prices around. I bought some bunk carpet and hydro turf from then and it arrived faster than Amazon would have delivered it. TBN prices are cheaper than the actual manufacturer or Amazon prices by a considerable amount and free shipping on the order too. These guys should be your first stop for boat stuff. I’m a customer for life if they sell what I need I’ll buy it from them no doubt.
I love that rant about the haters. I'm a tradesman, but was taught early in my career that nobody knows everything and to keep an open mind to learning. Even from someone with less experience. I have even taught this to my kids . Thanks for sharing your know how. And much respect for being humble through from start to present.
I just joined the channel a couple days ago. What i see is your extreme attention to detail in your builds. I 'am getting up there in the years and want to downsize from my 21' to something smaller for back woods lakes but have all the bells & whistles of a large rig. You can't buy something like that, and your channel has lit the spark of building imagination for me. Thanks for all the excellent content TBN and keep up the good work!!!!!
I have the same boat, a 1988 model. I am the 3rd owner. It was and still is kept inside when not in use. I even got the original cover that is still in pretty good shape. I did repower the old Mercury Classic 50 to a 50 HP Suzuki 4 stroke.
It is super solid and super reliable.
I just acquired a 60's model Blue Star the is already gutted and I am enjoying the recommendations
I have to say thank you for making these videos. I’ve been wanting a boat for a long time but there’s always something that comes up so it’s been put on hold but I’m going to be picking up one of these bass trackers soon. At first I was going to just get a John boat but I’d rather have one already set up with a side console. I can weld and all that and I was a mechanic before I bought a semi truck and started driving trucks so these videos have given me enough info and confidence to not be worried about tearing into an older boat and redoing one. Thanks TBNation!!
Definitely prefer the raw. Feels more like a conversation than a movie and we don’t come to watch boat building movies lol. Keep up the great work!
I wish I was capable of doing this. I have so many ideas for a small john boat build but lack the skills to do this type of modification. These videos are awesome
You earn those skills by trying. Take your time, do your research, measure twice/cut once.
I never knew how to rebuild a motor....until I did it. I've been a machinist, a mechanic, an electrician, and a farmer. I didn't know how to do any of those things until I started the job.
You can do it
Thank you sir. Gave me just the right tips to do mine same boat 16 ft . My foam was wasted live in wester wa so lots of rain moss etc. with your info mine will get passed to my kids. Removed everything, that damn glue. Think mine was built on a Friday before a 3 day weekend bring your kid to work then they got pulled into a meeting “ just keep going kiddos “ foam omg. Glue. Omg. Piss poor fit finish they couldn’t find any 💩 let alone 2 to give. New foam, wood, rivets, paint, wiring, Eva foam. Went gray with black, white and red splatter. Thank you again hopefully my kids will enjoy it as well.
We sell two-part pork foam on our website tbnation.net
We need a shop here in n.c, I made a o.g one back in the day with a wooden deck, 12 36 it's about time to put aluminum in. Still turns heads though!! You guys are on point 👉
We have a shop in GA, not too far from you
As Cousin Taryl say's "It is NOT the Space Shuttle!!!!!! Great job!! and great save of a Boat that would go into a Landfill? or as a Lawn Ornament!!!
Always a pleasure to see new content
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey TBN I have been watching your videos for a while and just got a killer 14-foot v-hull and just purchased one of your kits. it's going to be killer.👌👌
Heck yeah!
Huge fan of these type of videos! Currently got a 90s Jon that I plan on rebuilding, so these videos help a ton👍🏻
Great to hear!
I restored 1993 tournament v17 and i love it! I have a 2005 60 horse johnson on the back.
Keep it up man it’s awesome watching your work and channel grown, I remember watching the tracker build few years ago. When I think you may have had a few thousand followers. Keep up the good work man!
Yeah, long time ago, and that boat didn’t turn out near as well as this one.
Been a fan since your beginning, Fly on my eagle friend!!!
Fly on!
back to the original style of builds. love it.
Thanks for watching!
Been watching your channel for long time. Never had a reason to go to competition. You always do professional work. Your work looks better than factory. Keep up the pro work. Like you said don't worry about the crows as they are always trying to catch the EAGLE but they always loose when the Eagle flies higher.
Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks man!
I love this!!! Need more family of four builds
I been watching your videos from day one keep up the good work
Love these rebuild videos.
More to come!
Keep the good vibes going
I’ll do my best
Love the more raw videos!!
Thank you for your feedback.
Really nice project - makes me want to go derelict boat shopping for another project myself... also @29:26 I had to pause and just be in awe of the amount of tools on deck 🤣
I do have a lot of tools!
I bought a tracker 3 (the older brother of the tx/pro) and i love it.
Love the raw videos 👍🏾
More to come
I ❤ TBN 🦅
Same!
I love these videos.
Love this type of video. This helped me with a question I asked on the fb page earlier with the hatches for more of a budget build. Also what happened to the podcasts ??? Those kept me sane at work when I can’t blare my music on a job site 🤣 I even searched for other podcasts you were guests on.
Give me the lives? I don’t do podcasts we still have them.
@@TinyBoatNation the drain plug podcast. I listened to all the episodes on Apple lol. Was good info and good conversation. But I like the UA-cam lives also.
Said guys that only seek clout will never have a deeper understanding of anything. Excellent build Mike. Makes me wish I never traded in my Fisher Avenger SC14.
Use what you got! Thanks for the watching.
Good work
Thanks
How durable is the EVA foam compared to vinyl when it comes to putting gear down on it such as anchors, heavy coolers and other outboards?
It's better. It's thicker & more impact-resistant and much easier to repair.
A suggestion for you....use polyurethane thinned to near water consistency with mineral spirits to waterprood your wood. You can roll or brush it on, put several coats, and it will penetrate very deeply into the wood, and the mineral spirits will evaporate off. I did this as the subfloor to a camper i built, and when i drilled out the holes to mount it, the wood came out in plasticy curly ques. I drove that trailer over 10,000 miles, through torrential rains, snow, and ice, and the wood was in perfect shape after 5+ years
I believe it is cheaper than resin too, and doesnt degrade in UV as badly (not that a carpeted piece would suffer from that). Also, I thought that resin pours can crack if they flex, which i can only assume boat decks will do constabtly. Maybe im wrong on that part
Polyurethane will evaporate. Nobody uses it in the Marine industry because of that.
@@TinyBoatNation thanks for the response.
After I wrote that, I had the "duh" moment. I had been reading about, and bought plans to build stitch and glue boats, and forgot everything I knew, I guess
Great Video... Many answered questions! I think i need your help for my V-hull overhaul...
Thanks for watching!
Got a 1950 14 foot aluminum lonestar that I'm trying to fix up with 3 vintage motors.
The motors are another challenge
@@TinyBoatNation yeah it's been a pain trying to find info about them to get parts.
Who cares how you install something as long as it works for you especially if it's your boat shit I like the way you put that stuff on.
Seems like after all the hours and money put into rebuilds u could probably get a good used bassboat😂.Cool to see the process of restoration though, sure its satisfying
No, this is way better
What kind of welder do you use to weld aluminum
Miller 255p
What kind of resin are you using to coat the wood and is the wood treated?
Also you guys do a great job.
West Systems 105 epoxy with 205 or 206 hardener
What resin was used to coat the wood?
What’s the process of installing a 4 stroke motor on a 2 stroke boat?
It’s the same process. They pretty much hook up the same. You just don’t have to worry about two-stroke oil anymore and it’s way quieter and more gas efficient
Almost first ahahha been building a v haul since November!!
Im installing float pods right know
Good luck!
should have got the 3x3 hatch handles, those tiny stock ones suck, you can get like 1 finger in there.
Are you located in havasu?
Yeah
So I've got a question. I've been watching you for years and have been wanting to build one for as long, but Jon boat prices in arkansas have become absolutely stupid. Is it as realistic to use an old bass boat for a build? There's several 90s trackers here for sale way cheaper.
If you wanna do the work to redo fiberglass, then it will be a more stable, faster platform. They're just so much more maintenance than that of an aluminum boat.
@@TinyBoatNation Good to know, I appreciate the reply!
Ive done a full restoration exactly like the v haul build but dont know what price to put on it what would you price it? Boat cost 600$ with the trailer and ive put around 4k on it plus maybe 200h of my time 🤔
You could probably sell it for 10 grand if it has a good motor
Great video. In your opinion is it worth reworking a riveted boat or save up for a welded one?
Well, this riveted boat is almost 30 years old and has had multiple owners who abused it overtime and look at it?
Nice! Also, I sent you an email a few days ago, not sure if you’ve seen it yet.
I'll check it soon. Been super backed-up with all the editing.
@@TinyBoatNation no worries, the video is great!
I enjoy the ideas but have yet to see a low budget build. Do one for less than $500. That’s a true budget build.
Do you understand what a boat is?
@@TinyBoatNation yes I also understand what sponsors paying your way is and most people don’t have that luxury. Because everyone has 1k plus laying around to buy aluminum framing. So question is do YOU know what a budget is because I have yet to see proof that you do
Rental info?
What was the budget on this, not including the outboard?
A little over a grand
I need that old merc lol
Well dang it, should’ve hit me up a few weeks earlier 🤣
Dang lol
You must live in las vegas or arizona. I live in las vegas and that area you live in looks just like henderson area
You are correct.
Pigment the epoxy/resin black. It will save time on the painting
Smart! Thank you
Shoot I need a boat bad I can’t find any good ones around here to do
Sometimes that out-of-state drive is what needs to be done!
@@TinyBoatNation true
Boat prices up here in eastern washington state have gone way up.
I love to you do my boat, brother
I do all these videos to show you how to do it yourself though
Hope 60 hp mercury is 2 stroke
Looks like a tractor front loader went through it like a tin can
Who knows. Would like to get the story from the original fail 😂
There is a lot of bootleggery going on at manufacturers also.
That huge tear in the hull should have condemned that boat to the scrap heap. The shoddy repair below the water line is not safe. Not the right boat to restore.
It’ll be all right
lol bitching about the framing yet the boat is how old and has worked fine, just because its not over engineered like a youtube engineer would do doesnt mean its bad lol
I completely agree, and actually gave your point credit in this video at some point. The fact is it did work for almost 40 years!
good video, except for the boring and uninspired self help nonsense rant.
Noted
If you quit talking so much and start getting to work maybe I will give you a thumbs up👎👎