My 1985 PolarKraft 1440 Mod-V Boat Restoration

[dixie_boysles]

I have been working on this project for a year. I bought the boat and trailer for $600 and drove 2 hours to get it down in Gastonia, NC. Its a 1985 PolarKraft 1440 (14 feet long X 40" at bottom beam).

I had big plans for this boat and it is about done now. I'll go over the past year for ya:

Bought the boat

Some grinding. There was a spot the size of a softball that someone had tried to weld using the wrong kind of wleder. So I grinded it down and had an aluminum plate welded on top and bottom of that spot. Also the front gunwale was in bad shape so i cut it off as well to be replaced.

My buddy doing some grinding:

The spot in floor gining me so much trouble

Spot fixed:

Completely sanded the boat:

Decals made for it:

new flooroard--a lodging roadsign

Removed middle bench:

Floor support in:

Floorboard cut along with sides:

 

[dixie_boysles]

Casting deck framed:

Had my neightbor sandblast this for me and I painted it:

Front storage access:

Tunring out nicely:

got the front cleaned up a little:

New gunwale welded on:

Primered ready for paint:

Painted:

 

[dixie_boysles]

New Bow Eyelet installed:

Stickers installed

Carpeted:

 

[dixie_boysles]

Two Ranger domelights installed

fishfinder mocked into place:

My beatufiul fiance with the boat

 

[hoosier1104]

 

[straycat]

You spelled your boat wrong.....it's a Pole Cat...lol. That is a lot of work to redo that boat. It is looking!!! You going to put on a motor or row it to 'da fishguys???

 

[nate09]

looking good, the boat and the girl.

 

[dasfinc]

Judging by your Fiancee, You must be a Youngin! Nice lookin boat!

 

[dixie_boysles]

Judging by your Fiancee, You must be a Youngin! Nice lookin boat!

ripe ol age of 23 going on 24!

I have a 55lb thrust trolling motor for this thing that pushes it good! i have a 25 hp gas motor lined up as well

 

[dixie_boysles]

One of my side mount rod holders came in today!

 

[06RangerXLT]

fiance? shes 16...

 

[dixie_boysles]

she is 23!!

 

[dixie_boysles]

a few things ive got done the past few days:

Rear light pole Socket:

Then the seat support for my rear swivel seat. My papa cut a 1/8" steel plate and drilled holes for me to go up under the wood on top of the back bench. Today i cut a pocket in the bottom of the wood for the plate and nuts to recess into. I used a skilsaw and a router.

Tomorrow the board will get carpeted and the seat will get mounted.
I also installed the front seat today to the swivel and to the pedestal but did take pics.

and here are my GREAT RodSaver SM6 side mount rod holders!

Before anyone askes, i know its over the ligth but no it will not hinder it. Im using LEDs in the lights and a little ol rod aint gonna block all that light. Those bulbs should be here soon.

After tomorrow, ALL i lack is wiring and fastening all the panels down and this boat is DONE!!!

next is the trailer painting and new bunks for it and this WHOLE project is done!!

 

[dixie_boysles]

Just because I like looking at before and afters of this thing!

Earlier this year:

Yesterday!!!:

Will look even better when the trailer is painted flat black or something light that, even gloss black!

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Not a big boat guy but you have done one hellava job on that rig!
Nice work!!!!