Gear

Boat Makeover: The Green Hornet

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This was my first boat, probably in that 2004 to 2005 time frame. My wife and I had moved from Minot, N.D., to Ely, Iowa, closer to home, and a boat was a long-time dream. This where I started. Putting this gallery together has been a pleasure and a trip down memory lane for me. I'm glad I took photos of some of the process, but wished I had taken more and better images. Some of the pix will be blurry, but at the very end of this thing, you'll learn about an untimely and unfortunate end to the Green Hornet -- name I picked from
This was my first boat, probably in that 2004 to 2005 time frame. My wife and I had moved from Minot, N.D., to Ely, Iowa, closer to home, and a boat was a long-time dream. This where I started. Putting this gallery together has been a pleasure and a trip down memory lane for me. I’m glad I took photos of some of the process, but wished I had taken more and better images. Some of the pix will be blurry, but at the very end of this thing, you’ll learn about an untimely and unfortunate end to the Green Hornet — name I picked from “Grumpy Old Men” after a few weeks of using this thing. The memories are wonderful, and having a boat, that in the end cost me a little over a $1,000 total investment, changed my life as a fisherman. I caught some donkey bass and big muskies from this thing back in the day.
You’ll have to pardon me if I get a little misty here …
The 14-foot double wide, double deep johnboat and 25 hp motor cost $250. It had a tree growing out of it when I picked it up. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of that thing.
The 14-foot double wide, double deep johnboat and 25 hp motor cost $250. It had a tree growing out of it when I picked it up. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a photo of that thing.
This boat was a disaster, but I had a vision.
This boat was a disaster, but I had a vision.
The cable-drive system was one of the first things to rip out. I didn't even work ...
The cable-drive system was one of the first things to rip out. I didn’t even work …
The transom was rotten from several consecutive years of being stored uncovered in the Iowa elements.
The transom was rotten from several consecutive years of being stored uncovered in the Iowa elements.
Here's a closer look at the old-school cable-steer system. Giant hot mess...
Here’s a closer look at the old-school cable-steer system. Giant hot mess…
The motor hadn't been maintained in long time, so I figured I could probably dump $400-$500 into it and have it running like a top.
The motor hadn’t been maintained in long time, so I figured I could probably dump $400-$500 into it and have it running like a top.
A throttle and something else ... I' not even sure if this thing worked, I tore it out and went straight to the tiller.
A throttle and something else … I’ not even sure if this thing worked, I tore it out and went straight to the tiller.
The trailer was a home-made job, but it was stout. And for the most part, it was a solid, fully operational trailer. It wasn't pretty, but it fit right in with the rig it was carrying an it's new owner.
The trailer was a home-made job, but it was stout. And for the most part, it was a solid, fully operational trailer. It wasn’t pretty, but it fit right in with the rig it was carrying an it’s new owner.
The tongue was a rigging job, too.
The tongue was a rigging job, too.
Now, let's get into some modifications: I replaced that roller at the first boat ramp I visited. I think the front of the boat had sustained some damage at some point in its life, and was welded. I couldn't be sure, but it was a $200 boat. It never leaked a drop.
Now, let’s get into some modifications: I replaced that roller at the first boat ramp I visited. I think the front of the boat had sustained some damage at some point in its life, and was welded. I couldn’t be sure, but it was a $200 boat. It never leaked a drop.
Here I put in a new front storage area and a closable lid. Simple, but effective.
Here I put in a new front storage area and a closable lid. Simple, but effective.
That aluminum edge was an old L-bracket I found in my dad's shop. He never missed it, or at least I never heard about it.
That aluminum edge was an old L-bracket I found in my dad’s shop. He never missed it, or at least I never heard about it.
The front stopper was non-existent, so I covered a chunk of green-treated 4x4 and wrapped it in outdoor carpet.
The front stopper was non-existent, so I covered a chunk of green-treated 4×4 and wrapped it in outdoor carpet.
Here's a look at the newly remodeled interior.
Here’s a look at the newly remodeled interior.
I took the junky console out completely, and built up the back seat to accommodate a tiller-driven boat.
I took the junky console out completely, and built up the back seat to accommodate a tiller-driven boat.
I worked in a metal shop at the time, and found a piece of square tubing and tig welded it together to make a seat post. Buying one new was over $100, and I wasn't about to spend that when I could built it. I had that seat post into the next boat after this one, and I'll bet it's still in use today.
I worked in a metal shop at the time, and found a piece of square tubing and tig welded it together to make a seat post. Buying one new was over $100, and I wasn’t about to spend that when I could built it. I had that seat post into the next boat after this one, and I’ll bet it’s still in use today.
Here's a look at the captain's chair.
Here’s a look at the captain’s chair.
I had to completely rip out the old transom, it was rotten to the core. A couple pieces of marine-grade green-treated plywood, a bunch of new bolts and serious caulking, and I was back in business.
I had to completely rip out the old transom, it was rotten to the core. A couple pieces of marine-grade green-treated plywood, a bunch of new bolts and serious caulking, and I was back in business.
This rig was plated for a whopping 25 hp motor, but with this new rear end, it could easily hold a 30. Don't want to go too fast in a flat-bottom, though.
This rig was plated for a whopping 25 hp motor, but with this new rear end, it could easily hold a 30. Don’t want to go too fast in a flat-bottom, though.
The Johnson 25 hp outboard needed some attention. New carbs, a few new seals, plugs and wires and she ran hard. I spent about $400 on getting it back to operating condition.
The Johnson 25 hp outboard needed some attention. New carbs, a few new seals, plugs and wires and she ran hard. I spent about $400 on getting it back to operating condition.
I navigated some big waves in this thing, and got very wet.
I navigated some big waves in this thing, and got very wet.
But it was my first boat, and I'll never forget her!
But it was my first boat, and I’ll never forget her!
As I eluded to earlier, she met an untimely end. Driving home to Iowa from Minnesota, I was rear-ended, which totaled the boat out.
As I eluded to earlier, she met an untimely end. Driving home to Iowa from Minnesota, I was rear-ended, which totaled the boat out.
Jammed it up on the pickup's tailgate, scared the hell out of my dog, and ended a 2-year relationship with the Green Hornet, may she rest in peace.
Jammed it up on the pickup’s tailgate, scared the hell out of my dog, and ended a 2-year relationship with the Green Hornet, may she rest in peace.
The accident broke the trailer, re-opened the split down her belly, and smashed my transom job. But... Insurance afforded me a small upgrade a few months later. Enter The Red Wasp ... </P> <br> Dreaming about your first boat? It doesn't have to be much, it just has to get you out there. It takes time to get to a point where a full-blown bass boat makes sense. One like this makes you appreciate a nice boat, and will be the ground work to a lot of great memories.
The accident broke the trailer, re-opened the split down her belly, and smashed my transom job. But… Insurance afforded me a small upgrade a few months later. Enter The Red Wasp …

Dreaming about your first boat? It doesn’t have to be much, it just has to get you out there. It takes time to get to a point where a full-blown bass boat makes sense. One like this makes you appreciate a nice boat, and will be the ground work to a lot of great memories.

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