Customizing a Jon Boat

I've just bought a 1995 16' x 6'2" modified V Mon Ark 1650MV jon boat with a steering console. Here is what I need to know:

-What kind of paint do I need for it (I want to paint the inside and motor and will be using a spray gun.)

-What's the best way to prep the surface w/o sanding off all of the paint, can it just be wetsanded?

-There are some holes in the deck that need to be filled, I have a welder that can weld aluminum, I can weld aluminum pretty good and do body work, but I can't fill in small holes too good so what options do I have?

-I want to extend the small front deck so I'll have enough room to mount a seat comfortably so how can I do this?

-I need to build a floor in it like the new Grizzly jon boats have any ideas and this boat has a small V all the way to the back so the floor would bend downward towards the center?

-I need to come up with a mount to build for a hand controlled trolling motor in the front where the boat V's.

I want to do everything without using any wood at all and do it myself. Any pictures would also help me out. Thanks.

 

The Jon Jet

Sorry to be off topic here but I couldn't resist posting this picture.

This boat was 'developed' in response to the need to have a fast boat that wouldn't foul on the just under the surface tree stumps on this lake in E texas.

Needless to say the handling was not very good.

 

I did what your wanting to do but I used wood because I wanted to carpet all the decks. I fact I've done three boats like what you want. I used wood because glueing carpet down to aluminum is easy and works good till you want to replace the carpet. Then you will wish it was wood. Just unscrew it and throw it away.
I brought the front deck back to the next rib and bolted a bulkhead made of aluminum in to support it. I then cut a hatch to get into the new storage area. works great----you can get aluminum bent to make a trolling motor support.. A word of advice --when you put in wiring for all your electronics be sure to have them on a circuit that you can shut off quickly plus have them fused. Overton's catalog has what you need.. Most likely so will your local boat sales place. I always have two batteries. One for all my add ons and one just for my starting motor. Your battery switch should toggle between them.......
I used plywood in the floor also. I supported it with 2x4's ripped to dim. I screwed the supports to the ply. and the plywood to the ribs with stainless steel screws. Treated lumber will outlast the carpet that's for sure. Wood is quiet also.

On your holes --providing you can get to your holes-go to your local boat repair shop and get solid rivets and drill out your hole to the correct size and take a ballpeen hammer and peen the stem down. Naturaly this will take two people to do. If you can't get to it, welding is the best way. I have use regular pop rivets before and filled in the hole with silicon and it work fine.
Another suggestion is don't fasten anything bronze to your boat. It will cause electrolysis.

 

I'm doing fencing at the moment

I actually need a LOT of holes...but they will have to wait until I can get up to the city with the truck - to visit - the wholesaler! (Holesailor?)

Not one a my better days, I think the ball bra musta got a twist in it ans strangled the supply of blood to my brains last night!

Cheers!

 

Why is there so many holes in this boat???