It begins

the_fanatic · #1 10-03-2004, 03:07 AM

Just come back from Queensland. I bought a boat up there at christmas time and just went to collect it.

Its a 3.5 Quintrex Explorer on a Redco trailer. I plan to do it up, adding a livewell, painted hull, front and rear casting platform ect.

I plan to paint the hull first. so far i have taken off al the stickers and sanded it back with 600grit wet and dry.

What do i have to do next?

Is it better to get a painter to do it or is it easy enough to do it yourself (keeping in mind that i want a really good finish).

Does any body know the best way to remove silicone from aluminium?

Here are some pics

the_fanatic · #2 10-03-2004, 03:10 AM

the decks

the_fanatic · #3 10-03-2004, 03:13 AM

the work begins

the_fanatic · #4 10-03-2004, 03:20 AM

front

Nath_18 · #5 10-03-2004, 03:40 AM

WOW DID IT COME WITH A FREE WHEELIE BIN TO???

;D

chears NAthan

P.S nice boat!

the_fanatic · #6 10-03-2004, 04:23 AM

nah there were new bins delivered so we took the old one home for my dads factory.

Josh

the_fanatic · #7 10-03-2004, 07:56 AM

does anybody know a way of leagally extending the lenght of the boat from 3.5 to 3.7 so that i can fish comps (such as welding steps/pod on to the back?)

Josh

Bear · #8 10-03-2004, 08:02 AM

To be honest mate, I wouldn't waste your money doing something like that to a 3.5. You're going to end up spending more than you want and in the end you'd be better off selling it and getting a 3.7 to start with.

JMO.

the_fanatic · #9 16-03-2004, 02:46 AM

did some work over the weekend. i cut out the aluminium that was up the front and replaced it with ply to create 3 storage hatches that rest onto 20mm x 20mm angle

the_fanatic · #10 16-03-2004, 02:50 AM

can any one tell me if aluminium welding is expensive? I need to get a livewell built and a bracket for the trolling motor welded as well as filling up a couple of holes.

Thanks Josh

Angry · #11 16-03-2004, 06:09 AM

Aluminium is fairly expensive to begin with. Aluminium welding can be anywhere from reasonable to dramatically. Just remember one major thing Getting a cheap weld job in the begining could cost you everything in the long run. Find someone reputable (like personal references) who understands your needs (someone in the fishing/boating world) and pay the bit extra to get it done right once.

the_fanatic · #12 16-03-2004, 07:20 AM

thanks angry
I actually thought that aluminium was fairly cheap as i got 6.5m of 20 x 20mm 1.6 angle yesterday for $11

the_fanatic · #13 23-04-2004, 08:41 AM

Hi All
Its been a while since i posted but i couldnt find the card reader

So far i have ripped up all the carpet at the front and cut the aluminium out to creat a larger storage area. i have replaced the aluminium with ply and re-carpeted the front casting platform. i have also got a pair of Springfield seats and a livewell

I took the boat out for a test at easter time and gave it a little test run at lake Eildon it didnt perform to badly but i found that the minn kota would have gradual speed increments for speeds 1,2,3 and 4 but when i put it on 5 it would go really powerful is this suppose to happen?

I will do some more work over the weekend and post up some more pics

here is a pic of the boat at Eildon

Nath_18 · #14 23-04-2004, 08:45 AM

Hey the Fanatic your boats looking pretty shmick now!
Looks perfect for Bream in

Do you have any pics of the inside of the boat?!

chears, Nathan

the_fanatic · #15 23-04-2004, 09:37 PM

yeah ill put some up later today or tomorrow.

Josh