I own a 20 year old Tracker Tournament V18 and it has been a great boat, I bought it from an ad here on CTF a long time ago and it’s been a fantastic rig.
I’ve been wanting to redo the carpeting and the seats for the last few years, but just the thought of losing the boat for a month, always made me procrastinate the project.
The boat spends the winter stored indoors so doing the job in the off season isn’t an option either.
Back in March of this year I contacted Cobrabait, Jonathan, from DNJ Marine in Old Saybrook, and we talked it through. I also decided I really wanted a trolling motor with Spot Lock, which my Minn Kota Fortrex did not have.
So , after lots of on line research, and reading forums and watching YouTube videos, the plan was set, I would replace the trolling motor with a new Lowrance Ghost while it was there and also recess the trolling motor pedal into the deck.

I went with a premium Syntec Platinum 24 oz carpet, like you find in the finest rigs produced today, and decided to change the look from tan to dark charcoal.
Changing colors required a lot of carpet and time. All of the rod boxes and storage compartments are carpeted and I wanted to have it match, but that’s just me.

I ordered a set of new seats from a company, and unfortunately, on April 29, after waiting 6 weeks for my seats to ship, they called to say that the seats would not be ready until July due to a Covid related foam shortage. Uggghhhh!
I ran an audible and bought new seats from another quality company on Amazon instead and had them a week later.

Cobrabait did an outstanding job on the entire project. He was in peak season trying to get too much work done everyday to get people back on the water.
He took his time to do things right for me and his attention to detail is evident in the finished project that he delivered.
If you need boat work done give Jonathan at DnJ in Old Saybrook at call and support a CTF member.

Here’s a few pics

Wow Jon, awesome!!!! Would look good in Maine with us next year!!!!

Looks great! Nice clean job.

Great work!


Alfonzo

WOW, looks great.

Wow, beautiful job!

That is a great job and a great looking rig. I have a 16' Starcraft CC that needs all new flooring and wiring, I should look into having it done by someone who can do work like this. Right now the only salt boat that Tommy (Rich) and I have is my Florida flats boat, a 15' tunnel hull, all-welded, open layout Alumacraft and it is too small for the open Sound. Great for clamming and beach-side fishing but very limited.
Looking forward to your next report.

I can smell the fresh new carpet through the screen....enjoy what looks like a new rig!

Jon,

Your rig looks great.

MikeV