Boat Makeover: Complete overhaul

December 18, 2020

Here's a complete overhaul of a 16-foot Lund. Ryan Hoffman of Minnesota converted this standard layout to a front-deck caster's dream on a small budget. — Here’s a complete overhaul of a 16-foot Lund. Ryan Hoffman of Minnesota converted this standard layout to a front-deck caster’s dream on a small budget.

The boat was well laid out, but needed some upgrades.

After some thought, Hoffman decided to completely gut it and start over.

Here's another look at the original layout. — Here’s another look at the original layout.

A solid boat on a solid trailer. This project started with an investment, and a vision.

Moving forward.

Here is Hoffman's boat completely gutted and ready for a new floor. — Here is Hoffman’s boat completely gutted and ready for a new floor.

Here's a look at the carpet on the base-layer floor. — Here’s a look at the carpet on the base-layer floor.

Hoffman began to build the front deck with 2x2s, which provided plenty of support for big men fishing up front, without sacrificing strength.

He built the front-deck frame to accommodate storage and a stereo. Genius, really.

Here's another look at the framework. — Here’s another look at the framework.

He also began to build storage compartments along the side of the boat.

Here's a look towards the rear with the same framing concept in mind. — Here’s a look towards the rear with the same framing concept in mind.

Another angle.

He chose to place the gas can on the side to make access at the pumps easier. Another fine idea.

Here you can see progress being made throughout.

Progress.

Another view of the side storage.

Another view of the overall framework.

Hoffman is adding carpet at this point.

More of the project is coming together here.

Another view of the side storage and carpeting.

Here you can see the floor layout coming together. The stereo and speakers were a nice touch.

The speakers would require a bit of room behind them, but not to a point that would inconvenience the space.

Note the seat pedestals in the floor.

A view from the front of the progress.

The rear of the boat is nearing completion.

Side storage as well.

Here's a closeup of how Hoffman secured and tied the storage boxes to the gunnel of the boat. — Here’s a closeup of how Hoffman secured and tied the storage boxes to the gunnel of the boat.

Both sides are about done in this picture.

Here's another angle. — Here’s another angle.

Hoffman put hinges on the inside so he could load gear and tackle from the outside of the boat without having to navigate around the hatch lid. Another solid decision.

Same with the other side.

He used cardboard to custom pattern the front deck pieces.

After precise measurements were made, he cut the front components out of two pieces of plywood. Sturdy marine-grade treated plywood was his choice.

Here's the front deck before the plywood was added ... — Here’s the front deck before the plywood was added …

and after.

Here's a closeup of how he secured it to the boat before adding carpet. — Here’s a closeup of how he secured it to the boat before adding carpet.

Starting with the front section.

A very sturdy deck, indeed.

Here is the big portion after carpet was installed. Put the carpet on before you fasten the boards. And, plan to leave a little extra fitting room around the perimeter to accommodate about half an inch of carpet.

Here it is fully installed.

another view.

Storage compartment hatches lids installed.

The two gaps either side of the speakers are to accommodate longer rods.

Battery storage box lid in the rear of the boat.

A view from the front of the nearly complete front deck.

Here it's basically completed. — Here it’s basically completed.

Another view.

Rods in the boat ready for a trip to the local muskie lake.

Totally done and ready for a bow mouth trolling motor.

The vision becoming a reality is very satisfying.

Another look.

The 24-volt Minn Kota Power Drive is installed and working like a charm.

Not a ton of open floor space, but comfortable casting space is abundant.

Here's another look at the finished front deck with the trolling motor mounted. — Here’s another look at the finished front deck with the trolling motor mounted.

Before and after.

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