17' Roberts flats boat.

Hey all. I will give a small rundown on my flats boat. Was in the market for a backwater boat beginning of 13'. Wanted a tail fisher but couldn't find any within my price range at the time. Stumbled across a Roberts for 5,000$ and gambled. Boat came with a trolling motor and 6' power pole.







Console was jacked up, ugly bottom paint and a tiny livewell.
Trailer also was too small. It likely would have fit a 14' skiff fine.

Here are some of the fix er up pics.

Old console



New console going together with all new gauges, controls, wiring, gps/depthfinder, baystar steering & switches

 

We cut the floor out and re did it as well. Years of patchwork had taken its toll. Don't have a lot of pictures of that. But that's boring anyways

The trailer needed help. I found this for 600$ from a friend.


A pressure washing and bunk carpet and she looks like new and fits much better



More tomorrow friends.

 

New parts
Off with the motor


Old and new powerheads


Parts in the house (wife loved it lol)




Bare transom


New vs old


Re assembling with new Bobs action jack

 

Sorry my phone added a couple pictures in the above post. Thought I deleted them? Oh well. So it was time for the maiden voyage









Livewell holds whitebait beautifully


First redfishes on the boats maiden (mine and wife's)




Trip home after a successful first trip!

;D

 

Took the boat out today. Weather was pretty nice in the am. Halfway to the ramp I realize I forgot my trolling motor!! :'( so plans change and I say we are going to run crab traps and look for three tailed swimming dinosaurs. Low and behold...





10lbs and 24" I was mucho happy!

 

Thanks permit chaser. My next course of action is awlgrip on the exterior of the hull. Want a seafoam green color. I'm enjoying it a lot lately.

 

Well all, I am continuing this project with my brother in law who purchased it when I got my new action craft.

We have removed the old motor and are installing his 85 yamaha 3 cylinder. Installed a mini jacker now too. Goal is to make it float shallower than before.

We removed one battery from the stern
Removed the oil resivoir (85 is a premix motor)
Installed a micro jacker in place of my old bobs jackplate
Traded the v4 115 for the 3 cylinder 85.

These things alone should get us in shallower water.

Should have more pictures this weekend. Boat building Sunday!

Andy

 

Here are the pictures

 

What motor do you have?

Andy