14' Aluminum boat with dash and covered bow.... can i make it open bow?

[waterpotter]

Just inherited a 14' aluminum boat. Looks like a semi-v bottom. It has a cover over the last 3 feet or so of the bow and a dashboard with holes for a wheel and gauges and whatever. I would love to use it as a bass boat for calmer lakes and whatever, but I hate the closed bow. I've seen projects where people add platforms to the front of their boats, but i can't find any info on actually cutting out a bow cover to make a platform.

I don't know if that cover is structural or anything. Can I just cut it out? If I cut it out, is there a preferred method for securing a platform? It's aluminum so I don't have the tools to weld it together. Will bolts hold if I just pop them through the sidewall of the hull?

Any tips, guidance, suggestions, or comments would be REALLY appreciated. thanks, have a great day.

 

[jbcurt00]

I suppose you can, but I'd sure like to see it before you do.

Do you know the maker?

Post some pix and the dry dock crew will be along to help you along the way. Offhand, I'd suggest rivets rather then bolts.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Any idea what kind of boat year or model?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Since it was manufactured as a closed bow, I would bet you'll have a structural issue if you remove the aluminum... But as jb suggested, pix....

 

[waterpotter]

at work at the moment, I'll take decent pictures in the daylight tomorrow. in the meantime, found this photo online. It looks VERY similar to this one (except mine doesn't have a wheel or anything)

thanks

 

[jbcurt00]

How similar?

If thats what I think it is, I'd hate to see you cut it open..

Where are you located?

 

[waterpotter]

I mean.... it's definitely not the same boat. I just googled 'aluminum boats' and found one that has the same general covered bow and dash. Mine has the wheel on the right but it has similar seats (bench seats).

Don't worry, i don't have any kind of classic or otherwise valuable boat! mine is basically a pile of garbage

 

[waterpotter]

i forgot i had this old photo. this is the actual boat

thanks

 

[oldboat1]

Might have a Feathercraft or Lonestar. Be good to clean it up and sell it, then get an open hull and modify it -- maybe make a little money on the current one too. Might consider a jonboat if doing a bow platform (JMO).

edit. re pic -- can't quite ID it, but somebody will.

 

[64osby]

That is probably a mid 50's boat, Duracraft maybe.

Looks like an old one I used to have. Also looks like it is about 4' wide at the widest point.

I agree with oldboat, clean it up and sell it if you really want an open bow boat.

That hull will be tippy, especially if you are looking to stand up in the bow to cast.

Cool old Tin, would be a shame to use a can opener on it.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Please post more pics if you can, very interesting boat.

 

[oldboat1]

Might be an AeroCraft: http://www.aerocraft-boats.org/boats/0478/index.html

spray rail kind of distinctive -- transom look like the one pictured?

edit. looked again at your pic. Transom appears to be different, but could have been tailored by a PO -- also may have been different on diff. models of the AeroCrafts. Guessing, obviously. But with any kind of lead, can Google....

 

[waterpotter]

So I'm actually pretty sure it's an AeroLine. The title say AEROL and AeroLine is the only make I can find that seems reasonable.

 

[jbcurt00]

AreoLiners arent very common.

What state are you in, northern US?

It may not be very valuable, but it can only ever be original once. Even if rare, it likely wouldnt be extremely valuable.

But I know lots of guys that would gladly trade you an open style boat w bench seats that arent closed bow, if they have one, to get this one.

Me included, but I dont have a spare open style boat...

 

[waterpotter]

Hi-
I'm in california. I don't think it's very valuable either... i just like open bow

Would prefer more of a fishing style boat! don't have a ton of extra money so i thought I would just turn this one into what i want. but you're right, seems like a shame to ruin a cool old boat

 

[jbcurt00]

Google

Iboats forum bowectomy

or

Iboats forum bow-ectomy

You should get quite a few topic hits. There have been quite a few, esp Starcrafts. Look thru the builds posted here
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owne...ft-rebuilds-and-restorations-they-re-all-here
For Jasoutside's Jet star topic. But lots of great tin boat building tips can be found in those builds.

 

[oldboat1]

Michigan boat originally. Think you have to treat it as rare, maybe seriously rare. Don't cut it up. http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Aerocraft for some history, also http://www.aerocraft-boats.org/index.html.

The style is very similar to an early wooden Thompson model, to my eye -- might not be coincidence.

edit. value could be around $3K, if that makes a difference.

 

[jbcurt00]

Probably a RSD-14 or DD-14

3K is probably for a restored boat in great condition, definitely not a basically bare hull painted green.....

 

[oldboat1]

Don't cut it up yet waterpower. Check out the first hyperlink I posted (3 yr old ad -- may have sold for ??, or not at all) -- just saying might be a little more valuable than you think. Maybe enough to get a more suitable hull for what you want.

 

[64osby]

The other side of the coin is, you will spend money to make the hull structurally sound.

When you remove the bow the side walls will not be supported properly.

You will have to install benches or boxes that will support the side walls.