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k so im looking for a boat to start doing tournaments in. Would it be possible to buy a 14ft aluminum and then add some extras to make it more suitable for bass fishing. I would like to add a front casting deck and trolling motor to the front. also, would it be possible to somehow add a livewell? if so how much would this cost and how would i go about doing it?

If you read through some previos reports, there are quite a few guys that have done their own boat

I'm sure if you do a google search for bass boat conversion or something to that effect you'll uncover lots of info about converting a 14' tinny into something more fishable. Do a search here for RJ's meat boat. 15' with lots of casting deck and a bowmount. If it's all RJ needs, it's all anyone really needs

A 14'er might limit you to smaller waters on nasty weather days and it might take longer to get to your spots but the fish don't really care what type of boat you are fishing from.

Most, if not all, tournaments will not let you participate if you don't have a working livewell. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. A cooler with an aerator and pump would probably suffice.

HTH,
Doug

My biggest tip for doing this is make sure you have a nice wide boat......a regular 14'r will be tippy.....but it can be done...but keep in mind it may be tippy...

Since I store indoors I didn't think I'd need to use "marine grade" plywood.....it's been there for 6 years with no issues...I believe I used 3/8ths ply. Marine Carpet glued down.

Mine has lasted me 6 plus years......have never regretted doing it....and will miss it badly when the time comes to upgrade.

For Livewell I use a cooler and Aerator.

RJ

My dad has a 16 foot springbok. He cut out the top of the centre bench and put a live well in it that he hand made. It's not huge, but it works as a live well and a bench!

I'll add my caution of a 12 foot boat along with some of the others here ... I've rented 12 footers at several lodges and have "white knuckled" it back to camp more times than I care to remember ... all the while watching bigger boats go by me with little or no problem ... having said that if you know this limitation and either watch the weather wisely, fish smaller bodies of water or "white knuckle it" from time to time then i suppose a 12 is a good entry level boat.

But personally I'd go for an extra 2 feet ...

My brother and I have done this to a 16' Princecraft Starfish...I think it was 72" wide... We built the deck back with 5/4 cedar directly on top of the plastic seats and all the way to the last full crossing seats and put a large cooler behind that for a livewell. We made a couple storage doors under the front section and just put large rubbermaid bins in the unfinished space underneath that was leftover.

If you are looking to build something like that on a 14' boat I'd recommend the Princecraft Resorter... It is a very wide boat and would make a perfect bass rig.

Farlane94 wrote:k so im looking for a boat to start doing tournaments in. Would it be possible to buy a 14ft aluminum and then add some extras to make it more suitable for bass fishing. I would like to add a front casting deck and trolling motor to the front. also, would it be possible to somehow add a livewell? if so how much would this cost and how would i go about doing it?

Check the plate usually located on the transom of the boat in question. There will be a HP rating and weight rating. Then, keep in mind that if you put a bunch of lumber in your boat; framing, decking and hardware... you will have a heavy boat that often won't plain without over powering (Putting a bigger HP motor than your boat is officially rated for). If you over power your boat, some series will disqualify for this.

There are a lot of decisions that need to be made prior to modding your own boat. The first one is finding the right one to use at a good price. Coming up with a design.
Deciding what material to use. Aluminum? Lumber? A combination?

There are MANY resources available on the net that will help you through.

My advice;
Keep it simple.
Keep it balanced.
Keep it safe.

Build the casting deck so that it can be removed... and try it out before you put it in permanent.

Or... figure out how much weight you will be adding... and put that weight in sand bags in your boat. See how it performs.

Good luck!

Craig

Another potential issue in modifying your boat is liability insurance. Most series require you to carry as much as a million in liability insurance. Can you get insurance for a boat you modify yourself? It might be an issue if you are fishing with a partner as well.

Have you considered fishing tournaments as a non boater? I fish with a local club and we fish a boater/non boater format.

You have to join the club to fish the tournaments and the number of non boaters is limited by the number of boaters but it might be an option for next season. I'm sure there are other series/clubs that run similar formats.

It also doesn't stop you from working on your own boat or fishing other tournaments such as SEBO as long as your boat meets the requirements.

Good luck, it sounds like a fun project.

Sure it`s possible, We did that with Nodie`s boat. Lot`s of storage in the front, nice casting deck for 2 anglers. Doesn`t move too fast but it`s nice when you get to the spot! Did not fish any tournies out of it but would be possible.

I`m actually thinking of doing this myself, Getting rid of the bigger boat since i blew the piston.

But definatly possible. I know cabelas sell or used to sell a livewell kit. Can`t seem to find it anymore..

Absolutely it is. The only thing I would be cautious about is whether you're looking at doing this with a shallow V or Deep V boat. I would choose the deep V for sure. I did this with a buddy of mine...you may remember Pietor or Weeder or whatever else he changed his name to.

Before.....
<img src="http://fish-hawk.net/photogallery/album ... eboat2.jpg">

After....
<img src="http://fish-hawk.net/photogallery/album ... fishon.jpg">

As you can see, the stabililty is compromized slightly, with even a floor in it. It can definately be done, but I would go with the deeper hull boat for sure.

Cheers.....and post pics!!!!

I owned a 14' Alumacraft that was floored throughout. I added seats and a trolling motor myself. I am not real handy and it was easy, even for me. Boat only had a 20 hp Johnson but she ran great. I had a compartment for a live well but never hooked it up. Like mentioned here before, it would have been simple but I didn't have the need. I now own a 16' Nitro bass boat. That "little" Alumacraft was handled bad weather great, including one hairy trip on the St Lawrence through the tail end of a trop storm. Go for it. The bigger boats might laugh at you but I caught lots of fish from that little boat.

cprince wrote: If you over power your boat, some series will disqualify for this.

I've read that in some tounament regulations before, but assumed it was aimed at those 250 HP bass boats. Would they really ding someone in a small tinny for being overpowered by a few HP?

so for the people who have done this themselves or had a friend do it, how much would this cost for all the building materials?