Painted my boat

[franklauzon]

This past EricB and I painted my boat... Need to get her ready for whacking season... He old name was Luc's Miss Ugly, She went from:

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/miss_ugly1.jpg
http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/miss_ugly2.jpg

To this! Miss-Not-So-Ugly

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/miss_not_so_ugly1.JPG
http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/miss_not_so_ugly2.JPG

Used Pettit Paint Z-Spar enamel 3303 Dull Dead Grass, which I was only able to find at Ron Bankes Boats. Cost was 125 for the Paint, and then about 100 for supplies, such as acetone and thinner, rags, sand paper.

I have the blind at home, need to install it, and then get some grass for the blind, get a slip cover sown up for the motor, buy a dog ladder, a paddle/push pole, and we're in business...

Then i gotta get to the river with my waders and figuer out how I'm getting back in the boat!

[Greg]

Nice job! Post some pics after you have the blind on it :)

[Zingerman]

Good looking paint job Frank. Can you give us a quick rundown on the process of painting the boat. I know painting aluminum can have questionable results depending on the prep work?? I will be painting my rig next year so any tips would be great!

[franklauzon]

Well I dunno how well it will last, but it looks good, and Eric says he's has good luck with this paint sticking...

We followed the instuctions on the can, we basically sanded the entire boat using 100grit sandpaper to get some nice tooth for the paint to stick to. We then cleaned the whole boat twice with Acetone, let it dry for 20 minutes.

We thinnned the paint out as instructed the 15-20%, and sprayed it on. Sanded using 220 between coats, and used tack cloths to get the losse particles off.

Eric was using a Low Pressure, High Velocity gun.

Mind you the old paint on the boat was beat up, but the paint that was there was still in good shape, so we just painted over it.

[Eric B]

I have good luck using this method. I have also use Krylon paint from CTC to paint a 12 ft for hunting as well. 15 years later the paint as not peeled off.

[Drew Good]

Looks great Frank, the only thing it is missing is a couple of dead greenheads hanging over the edge..... :spoton:

Drew

[franklauzon]

Got the blind installed last night...

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Blind1.JPG

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Blind2.JPG

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Blind3.JPG

Now I'm missing:
Push/Pole Paddle Combination
Some Grass Mats of some Description
Dog Vest
Dog Ladder.

[yellowlab04]

looks great Frank lot better then the first pic your mentor Eric is pointing u in the right way the first bird killed in that boat will last a life time GOOD JOB TIM

[franklauzon]

For sure, I can't wait to get the quick grass on now...

[GOLDHUNTER]

Hey Frank, great job on the boat!!!

Goldhunter

[Huntmaster]

Frank, Look at this setup for holding your decoys, this would be way to easy to make. No more steping on them or having the coys in the way. I would use burlap and a pop rivit gun to install it. What do you think?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/goinggoingsold/IMG_0934.jpg

[Eric B]

Frank, Look at this setup for holding your decoys, this would be way to easy to make. No more steping on them or having the coys in the way. I would use burlap and a pop rivit gun to install it. What do you think?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/goinggoingsold/IMG_0934.jpg

It's a good idea when you have a flat bottom boat. Frank's is a deep V so it would be very difficult.

[Huntmaster]

Frank, maybe it would be better to put hooks on the boat and some eye buttons on the burlap so you could remove the whole thing when not in use. Netting would last longer then burlap, but would cost more. If you had the bags so you could easily take it out it would work great to store the coys in a garage hanging them the same way as they hang in the boat. Just an idea!

[Huntmaster]

It's a good idea when you have a flat bottom boat. Frank's is a deep V so it would be very difficult.

Yeh, I see what you mean Eric, Franks seats are kind of in the way, but it still might work if he could hang the netting up high enough to miss the seats. the coys might make some noise when driving, and they might be in the way of his blind. Hard to tell by his picture! To bad, it looks like a great way to keep the coys handy to set out and pick up. Im going to try it on my 14'.

[yellowlab04]

looks like a great way to store deks how dose it work later season do the deks freeze in the bags ??? and how many do u have made for that boat ie how big is that boat thanks Tim

[franklauzon]

Well Last week Eric came over and we got the mats installed, looks good...

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Grassed1.JPG

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Grassed2.JPG

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Grassed3.JPG

http://web.295.ca/~kodiak/boat/MNSU_Grassed4.JPG

[TK'S]

Frank you would need a real long boat or not many decoys what is there 14-15 on each side? Terry

[franklauzon]

I agree Terry, I didn't post those and personally don't think it's a great idea... I'd rather have em in bags or something...

[Greg]

The boat looks awesome :)

Where did you get the mats from or did you make them?

[franklauzon]

They're Avery Quick Grass, drove down to Gander in Plattsburg to getem...

[Mike Bons]

Wow Frank the boat looks great! Great job.
Mike

[heimedw]

Hi Frank, I Was Just Wondering The Frame Of You Blind Did You Make It Or Buy It? If You Purchased It What Brand Is It And Where Did You Buy It?

[franklauzon]

I wish I could take credit for it, but the blind was Designed by Eric's buddy, cut up by Eric, Welded by an aluminum welder... Sorry.

I know KEvin Hannah has the Avery Quick Set, likes it, and is readily available.

[Spear]

Wow, great job. Very impressed.