urg!!!!

[andyrmilwaukee]

In my excitment over finding a 68 FD I did not look the boat over as well as I should have. I get her home and find 2 small tears in the bottom of the boat obviously from were it struck somthing. Nothing larger then the head of a drywall screw but there nun the less. How expensive is it to have a patch welded on aluminum?

 

[javsam]

Re: urg!!!!

If you bought the boat from craigslist in the Appleton area,you beat me to the deal.But ,I have enough boats already.Any weld shop should be able to repair this easily.I would think around 50 dollars.

 

[likebob]

Re: urg!!!!

Not just any weld shop can do a good job on aluminum. Ask a few of the reputable boat dealers in your area for recommendations and select from whichever comes up more often.

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: urg!!!!

I did buy it from craigslist in appleton! Did you look at the boat too? it was dark in the garage when I looked at it so I missed the one hole but I am hoping its not a big deal, the rest of the boat is in perfect shape I remved the green treat lumber he used to do the transom and no problems there. The trailer is in nice shape too. at 450 did I make an ok deal?

 

[javsam]

Re: urg!!!!

I think it was an excellent deal,even with the small hole.I was going to look at it but it was already sold.Thats okay though,I dont need another boat.

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: urg!!!!

well this is my first and only boat. Hopin it will last a long time cus it is all I realy want just a fishing boat that I dont need to do a lot of maintinance too, and that is light enough to toe with my minivan (darn kids make a truck not realisitc.)

 

[Shizzy]

Re: urg!!!!

I paid 5 bills for mine earlier this summer for the boat and trailer, so that was a fair price. its a great little fishing boat and I pull mine behind My Ford Ranger and cant even tell its back there. you should be plenty happy.

 

[ropntoz]

Re: urg!!!!

If you haven't had the boat welded yet I would recommend that you find someone with a TIG welder rather than a MIG they will both work but the tig will be a much nicer and tougher weld... better looking as well! you should be able to find a good welder at a trucking outfit.

Ropntoz

 

[cowboycurtis]

Re: urg!!!!

I had my deep c welded at a boat shop in racine county. Not the prettiest job I have seen but it has held, if I remember right it cost about 50-75 bucks.
Good luck this was my first boat also, good solid boats!!

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: urg!!!!

Hey guys thanks for the tips! I have been putzin with the trailer most of the winter to get it back into road shape, just starting to think about having the welding done. Problem is he filled the hole with what lookes like fiberglass, or epoxy clear yellwish when I was buying it in the low light it just looked like dried tree sap. Any tips on how to get that off so they can weld it?

 

[javsam]

Re: urg!!!!

Use a wire brush wheel attached to a drill.You should be able to get the holes welded up at a good price in todays economy.I shoulded acted on it a little sooner before you bought it.Oh well,I'll wait for a nice one to pop up.

 

[Phishing Phool]

Re: urg!!!!

I have just purchased a 1968 14 foot Alumacraft boat, trailer, 5.5 Johnson and a 7.5 Johnson. The 7.5 is a 1957 model and I am not sure about the 5.5 as to year but it runs like a top! The 7.5 supposedly only needs a recoil spring for the starter pully. The only problem with the boat is the transom wood. The interior wood has been replaced but the exterior is missing. I also need a drain plug for the transom drain. The opening appears to be about one half inch in diameter with threads inside it. Can anyone help me with dimensions on the outer transom wood and with a source for the drain plug? Also I have the oars but they are in sad shape.. Are replacements available? This is my first small boat since I was a teenager.. some 50 years ago. I have decided to slow down and enjoy the "golden years!! Any suggestions and/or advice will certainly be welcome. Thanks

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: urg!!!!

yea can you see an outline from the old outside transom wood? just use that to make a template and then use 1/2inch ply, I used marine ply and epoxied it so it would not rot, what ever you do just dont use green treat i have heard it is bad for the aluminum. her are some pics of the restore I had to do. (well not had to do but wanted to do) removed seats sanded down used gloveit to seal the seams, had a small leak in seam at the bow, had hole in rear of boat welded, new springs hubs and bearings on the trailer, added an outboard and now I am fishing! oh almost forgot paint the interior