1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
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- Posts: 66
- Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:02 pm
- Location: Elkhart, IN
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1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
We started with a 16ft 1973 Harris FloteBote with a 55hp Johnson Outboard. The great thing is we picked this boat up for $1,000.00 and only had to drive about 25 minutes to get it. It had great aluminum, but everything else was pretty much garbage. Here are some pics of the day we picked it up:
Here we begin to tear down the boat to the aluminum logs and cross channels:
Here we have removed the railings from the deck. Our railings were attached with carriage bolts on top and standard nuts on the bottom. Once these were removed the railings were easily removed from the deck.
3/4 View of Completely Deconstructed. In this step we removed the plywood decking and everything that was on top. We took a grinder and cut off the bolts from the bottom side of the boat. You may need to pull your carpet up and determine how your deck is currently fastened, as not all pontoons were built the same.
We decided we would grind down the rust on top of the channels with an angle grinder and give them a good coat of Rustoleum Spray Paint to prevent furthur corrosion. This can be found at any home improvement store for about $3.00 a can. *Notice the front half of the pontoon compared to the rear. The front has been cleaned with Sharkhide Aluminum Cleaner and is neatly restored to a dull grey color. We will polish the toons with the Sharkhide Polish a little down the road.
We then added the decking. We used our 4'x8' CCA Treated Marine Grade Plywood. We secured the decking to the cross channels with our 2" Stainless Steel Deck Screws.
Next up was a 22oz Marine Grade Carpet
RECONSTRUCTION, FINALLY!
Here we begin to tear down the boat to the aluminum logs and cross channels:
Here we have removed the railings from the deck. Our railings were attached with carriage bolts on top and standard nuts on the bottom. Once these were removed the railings were easily removed from the deck.
3/4 View of Completely Deconstructed. In this step we removed the plywood decking and everything that was on top. We took a grinder and cut off the bolts from the bottom side of the boat. You may need to pull your carpet up and determine how your deck is currently fastened, as not all pontoons were built the same.
We decided we would grind down the rust on top of the channels with an angle grinder and give them a good coat of Rustoleum Spray Paint to prevent furthur corrosion. This can be found at any home improvement store for about $3.00 a can. *Notice the front half of the pontoon compared to the rear. The front has been cleaned with Sharkhide Aluminum Cleaner and is neatly restored to a dull grey color. We will polish the toons with the Sharkhide Polish a little down the road.
We then added the decking. We used our 4'x8' CCA Treated Marine Grade Plywood. We secured the decking to the cross channels with our 2" Stainless Steel Deck Screws.
Next up was a 22oz Marine Grade Carpet
RECONSTRUCTION, FINALLY!
David
- HandymanHerb
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Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
Good job, I'm still working on mine
In Memory of John 6x6 Larsen
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Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
I swear its never ending, I just picked up an early 90's Harris from a relative, plans to really take this one to the next level with some of our new products here at the shop! Pics coming as soon as it warms up haha!
David
Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
Hmm... What's missing from this picture?
2012 Tahoe 24' Fish-n-Fun Tritoon, with Mercury 115 HP 4-Stroke
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
Add a battery: viewtopic.php?t=13546&p=105893#p105893
I'm not a liberal, but I play one on this site.
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
Add a battery: viewtopic.php?t=13546&p=105893#p105893
I'm not a liberal, but I play one on this site.
- curtiscapk
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- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
ARe all pontoon aftermarket companies in Elkhart????
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
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- Posts: 66
- Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:02 pm
- Location: Elkhart, IN
- Contact:
Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
Haha yes, seems that way! That's where all the pontoons are built, so we have easy access to tons and tons of OEM vendors!curtiscapk wrote:ARe all pontoon aftermarket companies in Elkhart????
David
- HandymanHerb
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Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
He got the remote control, he don't need no steering wheelBobG wrote:Hmm... What's missing from this picture?
In Memory of John 6x6 Larsen
Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
Good job, looks nice.
Truman Lake
1986 24' Playcraft "The Georgia Peach"
1996 Evinrude 88 HP
14x11 Prop
1986 24' Playcraft "The Georgia Peach"
1996 Evinrude 88 HP
14x11 Prop
- Texoma Toon
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Re: 1973 16' Harris FloteBote Rebuild
Looks good!
2007 G3 LX 22 Fish & Cruise
90 Hp Yammy
Dual Axle Trailer
The proud American will go down into Obama's slavery without a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world how free he really is. The world will only snicker. - Pravda
90 Hp Yammy
Dual Axle Trailer
The proud American will go down into Obama's slavery without a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world how free he really is. The world will only snicker. - Pravda