Well, I finally got my 12' Aluminum riveted semi-V hull boat back from my ex-in-laws. I was given it by a freind about 3 years ago and put it on their property to store it until I could do something with it, then I got a divorce.
Anyways, now that I have it back, I have a mandate from my landlord to "Either fix that eye sore or get rid of it!". So besides stripping the peeling white/brow/green rattle-can paint off and giving it a gray or white bedliner type paint job, what should I do?
Tight lines,
Wade

Congratulations on your first boat Wade. I guess that this will give you a little bit more range than your float tube inshore in the Capitola area. My first boat was a 14' alum skiff for the more dangerous Half Moon Bay area.

I guess that first you need the required safety gear, which, unless I am forgetting something, includes anchor with ample line, flotation device, and signaling flares or horn (unless not required under 16'). I am not sure about the most current Coast Guard requirements, so check their web site. If you are only going to fish the local kelp and be mostly alone or with one passenger, and if you are on a tight budget, a motor as small as 5hp should be sufficient (although some might disagree). (I carry so much gear and so many rods that a 12 foot boat is too small for me to have even one passenger). For motors that come with a 3 gallon fuel tank I like to replace it with a 6 gallon tank because sometimes I want to troll for a 12 hour day. Once motorized you need registration for the boat.

A hand-held GPS would be nice, or at least a small compass if you already know your spots and are only concerned about heading out to Hawaii instead of Capitola if a sudden thick fog develops.

I like Fishin' Buddy portable fish finders on a small skiff. If it does not fit right and tight you may need a strip of thin wood to fill the gap. I do not like the plastic holder that comes with the Fishin' Buddy, so I use a much better aluminum one (overpriced at about $30.00).

You might want a net with a longer handle than you use with a float tube. Having once lost a monster halibut because of a net that was too small, I now use the widest and deepest net that I can find. You should also consider rod holders. I like to have a small urinal also. A tight plastic 1 gallon jar with a little bleach in it can work ( for males at least). I likely left a lot out and included items not relevant to your situation.

Good luck.

Bob

Wade,

Look up "jon boat conversion" on google. There's quite a few guys out there that show all thier rigging step by step.

Wade....Not sure if your lookin to waste this much time or $$$ on yours but here's a pic of the "WellFair"...I had to rebuild this thing from the ground up when I got it....I mostly fish saltwater but its set up at a ghetto bass boat...This boat has won a couple of Calico tourneys for me...A little dangerous because its 12 feet long but is wider than most 14 footers out there.....If you have any questions email me and i'll try to help....I know it aint much but its mine..JPG:D . I also own a 14 footer.......Warren
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/warren1974/images/boat

Thanks guys,
This is actually my 4th boat. Atleast that has had my name on the title. It is however my 1st boat since I got married (and now divorced) 12 years ago. I've had 1/2 ownership w/ my brother, God rest his soul, of an 18' Hobie Cat w/ a set of 1/2 ladders (this was the funnest boat I've owned). 1/2 ownership again w/ my brother of a 27' VentureCraft Sailboat after my Dad passed on in '89 and full ownership of a 16' Kaddo Semi-tri-hull Bassboat early '91 to late '92. I still have plenty of safety gear except I probably should change out the flares as they're 15 years old, and the EPIRB and VHF from the sailboat are dead.
On to the current boat and what it/I have already. It came with 10 and 12Hp motors. The 10 needs new seals atleast in the lower unit which aren't available anymore. The 12 needs a new pull cord spindle and atleast a new head gasket, both of which I have'nt been able to find. I'm thinking I'll use liquid gasket on the 10 and see what else might have to be fixed. I also have a 1.75Hp gas trolling motor which has the intake manifold broken.
It has a 15# Davenport and I have a plastic coated 10# Navy and a rusty mafeshift 12# reef anchor, not to mention 2 coffecan-cement anchors if I can get them. It has 2 Fish-On rod holders and oar locks that might accept an old set of Driftmasters that I can't find yet. It has a 3 gallon tank that came with it and I might have another that doesn't have rust problems but I have to find it and check. Otherwise, I can use a gas can.
I want to take the 6 rod holder off my kickboat and put it in the boat, putting the old 4 rod holder back on the kick. I also want to put in a removable front deck, removable livewell/baitwell capable of holding a 30" Hali or a monster bass, and maybe downriggers.
Tight lines,
Wade