Opinions on restoring or installing upgrades 69 14′ Lund Big Fisherman boat

We just obtained a 1969 Lund boat for trade work. I would like to do a few upgrades such as add a casting deck and storage in the bench seats. My husband would like to just restore it. All it really needs is a cleaning, new wood tops on benches and fresh paint. This is a really solid boat that was saved before any damage could be done to it with the wet leaves in the bottom. My husband thinks we could sell it for more money if we just restore it. Do you think it would make a difference?

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Here is the outside of the boat.

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IMO – I don’t think you are going to get rich by either option. If I were fishing out of that boat, I would prefer a casting deck and a flat floor put in verses just restoring it. Either option, the boat and trailer fixed up is probably worth about a grand. Maybe a bit more or less.

Thank you for that. I was thinking the same thing.

Not a chance I would want to stand on a casting deck on that small of a boat.

Cmon mike aren’t you like the karate kid on the front of the boat.

Mike W wrote:

Not a chance I would want to stand on a casting deck on that small of a boat.

X2 boat is to small for a casting deck. You would have to add a floor threw the whole boat to add some lower ballast.

How is it to small? I’ve seen lots of these Lunds 14 foot that people have placed casting decks on? Just a question, new to this.

We had a 16 ft 1978 Lund growing up. Yeah that is 2 ft bigger but it wasn’t real deep. We had a front casting deck that went from the front bench forward. It worked great. The casting deck still sat at least a foot below the gunnel. I wouldn’t be taking a 14 ft boat out on rough water regardless if it had benches or a casting deck.

Tiny boat nation could be a good resource. They show how to gut boats and build a pretty awesome fishing layout from ground up.

Thank you for the information. I will check it out.

I don’t plan on taking it out on rough waters.

Put it in the water and try standing on the benches to see how tippy it is. I fish out of a small 12 and 14 foot from time to time and don’t really care to stand up in them at all.

I agree with Mike but I’m 6’5″ and 250. To each their own.
Just a question. Have seen many small boat modifications and always wondered what happens to CG certification??? If you’re stopped are you just SOL.

I have researched and would be adding closed foam and replacing some of the old disintegrated foam that is currently in the benches adding it under the flat bottom to compensate for what is removed in the benches for storage.

A 14′ V hull is alot more unstable than a 14′ flat bottom with both having casting decks. The v hull is very tippy compare to the flat bottom Jon boat type. Like Mike said, stand up on the bench and you’ll see how tippy it is. JMHO as I used to own a 14′ V

We’ve always modified ours, usually take out the benches. Hauled not this one but others to Canada, on top of racks, lifting off taking on, never had any structural issues. Can cut off side middle bench sides leaving a foot and turn them into lil lockers and adds support for sides if ur concerned. This one in garage is an 80s Lund I believe, dad is good at fixing these things up. Never get ur return on them but wgaf, it’s for fishing and makes great smaller platforms to do it

I agree on the front platform, I wouldn’t want to stand up there and I’m that guy hopping all around the platforms and side lockers on bigger more stable boats.

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Ok, thank you. I really never wanted to cast in it, just really wanted storage for life jackets and stuff. I appreciate your time and comments.

I’d put some storage in the benches. Adding a deck in a 14 footer will just add weight without much value in my opinion. If this were mine I’d swap out the bench tops for a composite, making sure to hinge at least one to utilize storage below.

Foam- what’s your goal with foam? There’s a lot of info out there on these forums, and I won’t provide any advice one way or the other here, but I’ll ask why?

Paint- if you’re going to take the time to paint the exterior, the right way is using an acid etch primer. This is aluminum and not using the correct primer system will just result in you your time and money.

Speaking of money- I don’t think you’ll end up selling it for very much more by doing all that work. Sorry to poopoo the idea, I know you mean well. If you really go into it and do a full resto-mod it will be a nice rig to keep in the family for many years to come.