Boat Makeover: The Red Wasp

After my first boat was totaled in a car accident, I was able to make a modest upgrade to a 16-foot Lund with 40 hp Johnson on the back.
After my first boat was totaled in a car accident, I was able to make a modest upgrade to a 16-foot Lund with 40 hp Johnson on the back.
This boat was pretty old, but had real potential. Right away I had a vision of what it could be.
This boat was pretty old, but had real potential. Right away I had a vision of what it could be.
The original layout was fisherman friendly, but not ideal for an active bass and muskie angler.
The original layout was fisherman friendly, but not ideal for an active bass and muskie angler.
The middle seat was turned into a storage compartment, which certainly had value.
The middle seat was turned into a storage compartment, which certainly had value.
The front of the boat had room, but I would need seats and a trolling motor.
The front of the boat had room, but I would need seats and a trolling motor.
The front plate was a piece of aluminum, which was perfect for a bow mount.
The front plate was a piece of aluminum, which was perfect for a bow mount.
Not a big boat, but perfect for the lakes I was fishing in those days.
Not a big boat, but perfect for the lakes I was fishing in those days.
Here's another look at the interior when I got it.
Here’s another look at the interior when I got it.
The motor ran like a top. Those old Johnson motors were literally bulletproof. It had an electric, push-button start.
The motor ran like a top. Those old Johnson motors were literally bulletproof. It had an electric, push-button start.
It came with an old steel gas tank. I used it for a while but upgraded to a larger plastic tank.
It came with an old steel gas tank. I used it for a while but upgraded to a larger plastic tank.
Here's a look at the ignition switch.
Here’s a look at the ignition switch.
At first I didn't like the red carpet, but it kind of grew on me after a while.
At first I didn’t like the red carpet, but it kind of grew on me after a while.
In remembrance of the late Green Hornet, I named this one the Red Wasp.
In remembrance of the late Green Hornet, I named this one the Red Wasp.
I bought a 24-volt Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor.
I bought a 24-volt Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor.
You'd be surprised at how quickly this motor moved the boat.
You’d be surprised at how quickly this motor moved the boat.
She fit nicely in my small, single-car garage.
She fit nicely in my small, single-car garage.
Here the trolling motor is mounted, and in front of that you can see my ultra-slick razor cellphone.
Here the trolling motor is mounted, and in front of that you can see my ultra-slick razor cellphone.
Here's a look under the front mounting bracket. I stored ropes under there initially. It eventually turned into another spot to pile up used plastics.
Here’s a look under the front mounting bracket. I stored ropes under there initially. It eventually turned into another spot to pile up used plastics.
This thing was sure to be a project. I just needed to find the time.
This thing was sure to be a project. I just needed to find the time.
Rod holders along the side.
Rod holders along the side.
And, I liked the storage box in the middle.
And, I liked the storage box in the middle.
The trailer was in fine shape, and the underside of the boat showed some mild wear and tear, but nothing serious.
The trailer was in fine shape, and the underside of the boat showed some mild wear and tear, but nothing serious.
An old Humminbird 300TX came with the rig. Talk about old school, but I was excited to put it all to work.
An old Humminbird 300TX came with the rig. Talk about old school, but I was excited to put it all to work.
I put a 2-bank on-board charger and two deep cycle batteries under the front deck, thinking that was the best spot for them. We'll revisit this decision later as the placement affected the small boat's performance.
I put a 2-bank on-board charger and two deep cycle batteries under the front deck, thinking that was the best spot for them. We’ll revisit this decision later as the placement affected the small boat’s performance.
And, it barely fit in the garage. But that was enough!
And, it barely fit in the garage. But that was enough!
On to the remodel:
On to the remodel:
Here it is mostly gutted. I originally thought I'd leave the sides of the seat in there for structural integrity. I changed my mind shortly thereafter.
Here it is mostly gutted. I originally thought I’d leave the sides of the seat in there for structural integrity. I changed my mind shortly thereafter.
In this picture, you can see that I removed the center seat completely.
In this picture, you can see that I removed the center seat completely.
Basically gutted, front to back.
Basically gutted, front to back.
I wanted as much standing room as I could manage, that meant a trap door on the back over the gas storage area.
I wanted as much standing room as I could manage, that meant a trap door on the back over the gas storage area.
I framed it in with a few 2x4s and 2x2s.
I framed it in with a few 2x4s and 2x2s.
I framed it in sturdy, but I knew I wasn't going to be standing on that specific spot for long periods of time.
I framed it in sturdy, but I knew I wasn’t going to be standing on that specific spot for long periods of time.
The new floor with room for a livewell near the front.
The new floor with room for a livewell near the front.
I didn't take pictures, but I ran plumbing for the livewell beneath the floor. And had intentions to also run wiring along the same area.
I didn’t take pictures, but I ran plumbing for the livewell beneath the floor. And had intentions to also run wiring along the same area.
Here's another look at the floor from the reverse angle.
Here’s another look at the floor from the reverse angle.
The front deck would need additional support, but I would be able to take advantage of the storage area by moving the trolling motor batteries.
The front deck would need additional support, but I would be able to take advantage of the storage area by moving the trolling motor batteries.
Which I put beneath the seat in the back. I had found that the boat didn't plane off very well with the charger and two batteries up front, it plowed a lot of water and got me real wet when the wind was blowing. Moving the batts back would greatly improve overall performance.
Which I put beneath the seat in the back. I had found that the boat didn’t plane off very well with the charger and two batteries up front, it plowed a lot of water and got me real wet when the wind was blowing. Moving the batts back would greatly improve overall performance.
Here's another look at the rear-deck extension.
Here’s another look at the rear-deck extension.
I also planned to put storage boxes along the side. That meant I had to brace the frame through the side of the boat. I drilled holes and plugged them with bolts covered in marine-grade silicone.
I also planned to put storage boxes along the side. That meant I had to brace the frame through the side of the boat. I drilled holes and plugged them with bolts covered in marine-grade silicone.
Here you can see it bridging the gap.
Here you can see it bridging the gap.
It's a mess, but it's starting to take shape.
It’s a mess, but it’s starting to take shape.
I put heavy-duty hinges on the battery compartment knowing it would have to support my heavy butt and still need to be accessed daily.
I put heavy-duty hinges on the battery compartment knowing it would have to support my heavy butt and still need to be accessed daily.
It really worked well, if I can compliment myself.
It really worked well, if I can compliment myself.
Moving to the front, you can see the slot I had for the livewell. I had a custom tank built to fit these measurements, and it extended the front deck backwards by 12 inches or so.
Moving to the front, you can see the slot I had for the livewell. I had a custom tank built to fit these measurements, and it extended the front deck backwards by 12 inches or so.
Here the side compartments began to take shape.
Here the side compartments began to take shape.
It's still a giant hot mess, but progress is being made. An there is an occasional Coors Light can in the mix.
It’s still a giant hot mess, but progress is being made. An there is an occasional Coors Light can in the mix.
Sorry, not sorry. Stay hydrated my friends.
Sorry, not sorry. Stay hydrated my friends.
Here's a look to the rear as the framework on front and back is coming along nicely.
Here’s a look to the rear as the framework on front and back is coming along nicely.
I had to custom cut a full sheet of plywood to match the new front deck and livewell configuration. But it only covered about half of the front.
I had to custom cut a full sheet of plywood to match the new front deck and livewell configuration. But it only covered about half of the front.
Here's the livewell installed, but not finished.
Here’s the livewell installed, but not finished.
Finished livewell.
Finished livewell.
I had to cut another full sheet of plywood to get this bow piece cut to size.
I had to cut another full sheet of plywood to get this bow piece cut to size.
Once each piece was in the front, it started to look like my original vision. I mixed up the carpet colors because the store didn't have enough for me to do it all in one color. I wasn't patient enough to wait for more to arrive, so I went with the dual-tone theme.
Once each piece was in the front, it started to look like my original vision. I mixed up the carpet colors because the store didn’t have enough for me to do it all in one color. I wasn’t patient enough to wait for more to arrive, so I went with the dual-tone theme.
Here's the finished remodel ready to fish.
Here’s the finished remodel ready to fish.
Before and after.
Before and after.
I had this rig for several years and caught lots of fish from her custom front deck. I even fished a few tournaments, and the Red Wasp worked perfectly!
I had this rig for several years and caught lots of fish from her custom front deck. I even fished a few tournaments, and the Red Wasp worked perfectly!
I made a lot of memories with my then young kids. My son caught his first bass on his own from this thing.
I made a lot of memories with my then young kids. My son caught his first bass on his own from this thing.
Here are both my babies enjoying an afternoon out together. Both of them cut their fishing teeth from this boat. I'll never forget it.
Here are both my babies enjoying an afternoon out together. Both of them cut their fishing teeth from this boat. I’ll never forget it.
But the time comes when you have to upgrade. A few days after this picture was taken, I let her go to her new owner. And for far less than I had in it, but I'll never forget the adventures I had. In fact, I often wish I still had it for those small, hard-to-reach lakes in my native Northland. Lots of blood, sweat and tears in that thing. But on to bigger and better things.
But the time comes when you have to upgrade. A few days after this picture was taken, I let her go to her new owner. And for far less than I had in it, but I’ll never forget the adventures I had. In fact, I often wish I still had it for those small, hard-to-reach lakes in my native Northland. Lots of blood, sweat and tears in that thing. But on to bigger and better things.