Swamp Hauler 15

Budget welded-aluminum modified-V jon for skinny water: wide, shallow, starboard (right) console with wheel, live well, two bait wells, ice well, bait cooler and drink wells.

Rev D: console is on the starboard (right) side — not a starboard console. Open walkway on port. Helm includes speedo/tach/fuel/volt gauges, marine stereo, and a small plexiglass windshield. Concept design. Not certified naval architecture or a certified drawing — a qualified welder/boat builder must review before cutting metal. Verify capacity and flotation per USCG 33 CFR 183. Prices are estimates (Oct 2026 USD); nothing here is a purchase.

Concept renders (rev C)

AI concept renders — not photos of a finished boat.

Swamp Hauler 15 concept render, 3/4 view — Concept render — flat ramped skid bow (3/4 view)

Swamp Hauler 15 concept render, bow-on — Concept render — flat ramped skid bow (bow-on)

Concept render — flat ramped skid bow (side profile)

Swamp Hauler 15 concept render, stern — Concept render — flat ramped skid bow (stern)

Rev C: the blunt/pointed entry is replaced with a flat ramped skid-style bow like a classic aluminum jon — one flat 0.125" bow plate ramping up ~30° over ~33", squared at the deck, no stem weld.

Ask Kate about this boat

Kate answers from the published build notes on this page — design, BOM, and build stages. She doesn’t invent specs or prices and never shares private details. About Kate

Overview

Item	Value
LOA	15'0" (180")
Beam (gunwale)	78"
Bottom width	60" chine to chine
Bottom length	13'2"
Side height	24" amidships, 26" bow
Deadrise	Flat ramped skid bow → 4° transom, 6" flat keel pad
Transom	20" shaft, 13° rake, 3/16" + doubler
Draft loaded	~6–7"
Empty hull (est.)	~520–580 lb rigged, no motor/battery/fuel
Design HP	40–50 HP remote (USCG formula sketch ≈ 60, estimate only)
Capacity (est.)	3 persons / ~650 lb — verify

Plan layout (bow → stern)

                BOW (station 0")
          ======================   flat skid bow, squared ~60" wide at deck
          ////// RAMP //////       ramp 30° over ~33" (0"-33")
          |  anchor locker   |
          |  [ BW1 ]         |     Bait well #1 20x14x10 (12 gal), aerated
          |------------------|     casting deck, raised 12", 0"-42"
            |  [ BAIT COOLER ] |  20 qt, under bow step, 42"-60"
            |                  |
            |  D  open floor D |  D = gunwale drink holders
            |                  |
            |   +----------+   |  starboard (right) console on CL, 24"W x 20"D x 36"H, 84"-104"
            |   | WHEEL  DD|   |  4 drink holders in console top
            |   +----------+   |
            |   [ ICE WELL ]   |  24x14x8.5 (12 gal / ~48 qt) in console-front seat
            |    (pedestal)    |  pedestal seat behind console, ~116"
            |                  |
            |-D----------------D-| aft deck 140"-172"
            | LIVE WELL | BW2  |  Live well port 30x16x10 (20 gal); Bait well #2 stbd 16x12x10 (8 gal)
            |  [BATT]  [FUEL]  |  battery CL, 6 gal tank, bilge pump at transom
            +====[ MOTOR ]=====+  TRANSOM (180"), 20" shaft, anode

Plate & gauge

Part	Alloy / thickness
Bottom	5052-H32 or 5086-H116, 0.125"
Sides	5052-H32, 0.100"
Transom	5052/5086, 0.190", doubled to 3/8" at clamp
Floor/casting deck	5052 0.090" diamond tread
Wells/console	5052-H32 0.080"
Ribs/stringers/chine/gunwale	6061-T6 extrusions only (never 6061 formed skin)

Weld schedule

Joint	Procedure
Keel, chines, bottom butts	ER5356 .035, argon 25–30 CFH, continuous both sides
Transom to hull	Continuous both sides, 2 passes
Ribs/stringers	2" stitch every 6", staggered
Floor/decks	1" stitch every 4", sealant between
Well tanks	ER5356 .030, continuous, water leak-test
Console	Stitch + continuous on visible seams

GMAW spool gun, ER5356, 100% argon. Stainless brush + acetone wipe; tack every 4"; alternate sides to control warp. Weld outdoors or with fume extraction.

Build stages (3D)

Concept 3D drawings of the major build stages.

Swamp Hauler 15 Stage 1 · Hull shell concept 3D — **Stage 1 · Hull shell**
Concept 3D — not a photo of a finished boat.

Swamp Hauler 15 Stage 2 · Transom concept 3D — **Stage 2 · Transom**
Concept 3D — not a photo of a finished boat.

Swamp Hauler 15 Stage 3 · Wells concept 3D — **Stage 3 · Wells**
Concept 3D — not a photo of a finished boat.

Swamp Hauler 15 Stage 4 · Starboard console (gauges, stereo, plexi windshield) concept 3D — **Stage 4 · Starboard console (gauges, stereo, plexi windshield)**
Concept 3D — not a photo of a finished boat.

Swamp Hauler 15 Stage 5 · Final assembly (starboard helm) concept 3D — **Stage 5 · Final assembly (starboard helm)**
Concept 3D — not a photo of a finished boat.

Step-by-step build (one action per step)

Stage 1 · Hull shell

Lay out and cut the two bottom halves from the 0.125" 4'x12' sheets.
Part B1: 5052-H32 0.125" sheet 4'x12' (bottom halves) ×2 · ~$1,000 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cut the forefoot panels and keel pad from the 0.125" 4'x8' sheet.
Part B2: 5052-H32 0.125" sheet 4'x8' (forefoot, keel pad, knees) ×1 · ~$280 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cut the side panels from the 0.100" 4'x12' sheets.
Part B3: 5052-H32 0.100" sheet 4'x12' (sides) ×2 · ~$680 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cut the bow side extensions from the 0.100" 4'x8' sheet.
Part B4: 5052-H32 0.100" sheet 4'x8' (bow side extensions, splash well) ×1 · ~$225 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cut the transom skin and 18"x12" doubler from 0.190" plate.
Part B5: 5052/5086 0.190" sheet 4'x4' (transom + doubler) ×1 · ~$215 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Set the bottom halves on a level jig, keel seam up, and tack every 4".
Part B11: ER5356 0.035" wire, 1 lb spools ×8 · ~$150 · Buy: Amazon search
Weld the keel seam full-length, alternating sides.
Part B11: ER5356 0.035" wire, 1 lb spools ×8 · ~$150 · Buy: Amazon search
Bend the sides to the chine angle and tack to the bottom.
Part B8: 6061 chine angle, 3/16x2 keel strip, gunwale channel ×1 · ~$300 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Stand the transom at 13° rake and tack it in.
Part B5: 5052/5086 0.190" sheet 4'x4' (transom + doubler) ×1 · ~$215 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Weld chines and transom continuous, both sides, 2 passes on 3/16".
Part B12: Argon refills (owned/rented cylinder) ×2 · ~$120 · Buy: Local welding supply
Weld on the sacrificial keel strip.
Part B8: 6061 chine angle, 3/16x2 keel strip, gunwale channel ×1 · ~$300 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Leak-test the shell with water or soapy air before going further.
Part B13: Abrasives, SS brushes, acetone, cut-off/jig blades ×1 · ~$90 · Buy: Amazon search

Stage 2 · Structure

Cut ten ribs from 2x2 angle and notch them over the stringers.
Part B6: 6061-T6 2x2x1/8 angle, 20' (ribs) ×4 · ~$240 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Drill limber holes in every rib.
Part B6: 6061-T6 2x2x1/8 angle, 20' (ribs) ×4 · ~$240 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Fit the three 1.5x3 stringers (CL and 18" off CL).
Part B7: 6061-T6 1.5x3 channel, 20' (stringers) ×3 · ~$330 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Stitch-weld ribs and stringers to the bottom: 2" every 6", staggered.
Part B11: ER5356 0.035" wire, 1 lb spools ×8 · ~$150 · Buy: Amazon search
Weld the transom knees to the outer stringers.
Part B2: 5052-H32 0.125" sheet 4'x8' (forefoot, keel pad, knees) ×1 · ~$280 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Weld the doubler in the motor-clamp area.
Part B5: 5052/5086 0.190" sheet 4'x4' (transom + doubler) ×1 · ~$215 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cap the gunwales with 6061 channel.
Part B8: 6061 chine angle, 3/16x2 keel strip, gunwale channel ×1 · ~$300 · Buy: Metal yard quote

Stage 3 · Foam and floor

Mask limbers and bilge path, then pour foam between stringers in lifts.
Part B14: 2-lb pour foam kit (~6 cu ft) ×1 · ~$200 · Buy: Amazon search
Pour foam into the side pods.
Part B14: 2-lb pour foam kit (~6 cu ft) ×1 · ~$200 · Buy: Amazon search
Trim cured foam flush with the rib tops.
Part B13: Abrasives, SS brushes, acetone, cut-off/jig blades ×1 · ~$90 · Buy: Amazon search
Lay the diamond-tread floor and stitch it to the rib tops.
Part B9: 5052 0.090" diamond tread 4'x8' (floor, casting deck) ×2 · ~$400 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Seal floor seams with marine sealant.
Part B31: Marine sealant ×1 · ~$40 · Buy: Amazon search

Stage 4 · Wells, seats and console

Fold and weld the bow bait well (20x14x10).
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Fold and weld the live well (30x16x10) on aft deck port.
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Fold and weld the aft bait well (16x12x10) on aft deck starboard.
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Fold and weld the ice well (24x14x8.5) in the console front seat.
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Leak-test every tank with water.
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Insulate the ice well and gasket its lid.
Part B18: Ice-well insulation board, lid gasket, drain ×1 · ~$40 · Buy: Amazon search
Plumb live-well aerator, fill and overflow.
Part B15: Live-well aerator + fill pump + fittings ×1 · ~$95 · Buy: Amazon search
Plumb both bait-well aerators.
Part B16: Bait-well aerator + plumbing (x2 wells) ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
Strap the bait cooler cradle under the bow step.
Part B17: Bait cooler 20 qt + strap cradle ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
Build the starboard (right) console on CL and weld it to the floor.
Part B10: 5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console) ×1 · ~$180 · Buy: Metal yard quote
Cut and install the 8 drink holders.
Part B19: Drink holders, SS recessed ×8 · ~$40 · Buy: Amazon search
Mount the pedestal seat behind the console.
Part B27: Pedestal seat base + post + seat (budget) ×1 · ~$140 · Buy: Amazon search
Hang hatches, hinges and latches.
Part B29: Hinges, latches, gaskets, SS hardware ×1 · ~$150 · Buy: Amazon search

Stage 5 · Rigging

Mount the steering helm in the console.
Part B20: Mechanical rotary steering kit + 14' cable ×1 · ~$250 · Buy: Amazon search
Fit the 13.5" wheel.
Part B21: Steering wheel 13.5" ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
Run the 14' steering cable to the motor.
Part B20: Mechanical rotary steering kit + 14' cable ×1 · ~$250 · Buy: Amazon search
Mount the remote throttle/shift box and run cables.
Part B22: Remote throttle/shift + 2 cables (14') ×1 · ~$250 · Buy: Amazon search
Wire the switch panel, fuses and battery box.
Part B23: Switch panel, wire, fuses, battery box ×1 · ~$120 · Buy: Amazon search
Install the nav lights.
Part B24: Nav lights, LED bow/stern ×1 · ~$50 · Buy: Amazon search
Install the bilge pump and through-hull.
Part B25: Bilge pump 500 GPH auto + through-hull ×1 · ~$45 · Buy: Amazon search
Bolt on the transom anode.
Part B26: Sacrificial zinc/aluminum transom anode ×1 · ~$25 · Buy: Amazon search
Install cleats, drain plugs and tie-downs.
Part B30: Cleats (4), drain plugs, transom tie-downs ×1 · ~$80 · Buy: Amazon search
Clip on the kill-switch lanyard and test it before every run.
Part B28: Kill-switch lanyard (spare/wireless-ready) ×1 · ~$15 · Buy: Amazon search

Bill of materials

ID	Stage	Part	Qty	Price	Buy
B1	Stage 1	5052-H32 0.125" sheet 4'x12' (bottom halves)	2	~$1,000	Metal yard quote
B2	Stage 1	5052-H32 0.125" sheet 4'x8' (forefoot, keel pad, knees)	1	~$280	Metal yard quote
B3	Stage 1	5052-H32 0.100" sheet 4'x12' (sides)	2	~$680	Metal yard quote
B4	Stage 1	5052-H32 0.100" sheet 4'x8' (bow side extensions, splash well)	1	~$225	Metal yard quote
B5	Stage 1	5052/5086 0.190" sheet 4'x4' (transom + doubler)	1	~$215	Metal yard quote
B6	Stage 2	6061-T6 2x2x1/8 angle, 20' (ribs)	4	~$240	Metal yard quote
B7	Stage 2	6061-T6 1.5x3 channel, 20' (stringers)	3	~$330	Metal yard quote
B8	Stage 1	6061 chine angle, 3/16x2 keel strip, gunwale channel	1	~$300	Metal yard quote
B9	Stage 3	5052 0.090" diamond tread 4'x8' (floor, casting deck)	2	~$400	Metal yard quote
B10	Stage 4	5052-H32 0.080" sheet 4'x8' (wells, console)	1	~$180	Metal yard quote
B11	Stage 1	ER5356 0.035" wire, 1 lb spools	8	~$150	Amazon search
B12	Stage 1	Argon refills (owned/rented cylinder)	2	~$120	Local welding supply
B13	Stage 1	Abrasives, SS brushes, acetone, cut-off/jig blades	1	~$90	Amazon search
B14	Stage 3	2-lb pour foam kit (~6 cu ft)	1	~$200	Amazon search
B15	Stage 4	Live-well aerator + fill pump + fittings	1	~$95	Amazon search
B16	Stage 4	Bait-well aerator + plumbing (x2 wells)	1	~$60	Amazon search
B17	Stage 4	Bait cooler 20 qt + strap cradle	1	~$60	Amazon search
B18	Stage 4	Ice-well insulation board, lid gasket, drain	1	~$40	Amazon search
B19	Stage 4	Drink holders, SS recessed	8	~$40	Amazon search
B20	Stage 5	Mechanical rotary steering kit + 14' cable	1	~$250	Amazon search
B21	Stage 5	Steering wheel 13.5"	1	~$60	Amazon search
B22	Stage 5	Remote throttle/shift + 2 cables (14')	1	~$250	Amazon search
B23	Stage 5	Switch panel, wire, fuses, battery box	1	~$120	Amazon search
B24	Stage 5	Nav lights, LED bow/stern	1	~$50	Amazon search
B25	Stage 5	Bilge pump 500 GPH auto + through-hull	1	~$45	Amazon search
B26	Stage 5	Sacrificial zinc/aluminum transom anode	1	~$25	Amazon search
B27	Stage 4	Pedestal seat base + post + seat (budget)	1	~$140	Amazon search
B28	Stage 5	Kill-switch lanyard (spare/wireless-ready)	1	~$15	Amazon search
B29	Stage 4	Hinges, latches, gaskets, SS hardware	1	~$150	Amazon search
B30	Stage 5	Cleats (4), drain plugs, transom tie-downs	1	~$80	Amazon search
B31	Stage 3	Marine sealant	1	~$40	Amazon search
B32	Stage 4	Marine gauge set: speedo, tach, fuel, volt	1	~$160	Buy
B33	Stage 4	Marine-rated stereo head unit (Bluetooth)	1	~$120	Buy
B34	Stage 4	Marine speakers 6.5" pair	1	~$70	Buy
B35	Stage 4	Small plexiglass windshield + aluminum brackets	1	~$110	Buy
		Core subtotal		~$6,390
O1	Optional	Paint: etch primer + marine enamel	—	+$250	Buy
O2	Optional	Used 40-50 HP outboard, 20" shaft	—	+$2,500-$4,500	Buy
O3	Optional	Used trailer 14-16 ft	—	+$600-$1,200	Buy
O4	Optional	Group 24 marine battery	—	+$120	Buy
O5	Optional	Jack plate 6" setback	—	+$250	Buy

Metal priced at ~$5/lb (metal-yard basis); online retail runs higher. Search links open a search for that spec; no listing has been chosen and no affiliate tag is used. Nothing has been purchased.

Every BOM line includes a purchase link per standing order.