14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

[a brickhead]

I've been lurking this site for some time and now and I finally made the jump and got myself into my own project. I got this 14ft semi V from a guy on craigslist here in Maryland. Long story short, he wanted the whole shabang "outta ma yawd"...so he sold me the boat, trailer, and a Reese hitch for my truck for $100 even. Couldn't resist that deal, so I called my buddy and we drove it home. It's definetly a fixer-upper.... trailer needs work (lights are blinking, rust on frame as well as winch and coupler) The boat itself is a little dented here and there, but the only concerning bit is the need for a new transom. There also looks to be a fuggly repair job on the bottom "keel?" looks like a welded patch from a possible grounding?
My hope for this fishing boat is to put a floor in it as well as rebuild the transom for starters. I've seen alot of posts regarding this sort of "small boat project" so I think I'm gonna steer clear of the "casting deck" on the bow (would be nice, but, I think it'll be a little too tippy on this small semi V) I'm still considering ideas and designs for the future of the this "fish-getter" , but, for now the transom and floor are respectable goals for her.
I don't think this will happen too quickly, so don't expect frequent updates on my part. We just had a baby girl here (3 1/2 months now) so she is currently my most time consuming/favorite hobby Any ideas or inputs are welcome. Thanks for looking.

 

[Calhere]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

If the Keel is not leaking then you should be good, if you don't want to take it to the water to find out, and its probably not recommended by some of the people here, but I do it quite frequently with small aluminum boats, turn the water house on it and fill er up watch the bottom for dripping or moistness I normally let it sit over night flip it over the next day and dry it out. If you do plan on beaching it Keel Guard makes a nice product that will help prevent any future damage.

http://www.keelguard.com/keelguard.html

 

[BigB9000]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

you call that a fuggly repair job?!?! HA! you should see my boat

 

[oops!]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

hi.....welcome to i boats.........your amoung friends here

in the compleated projects forum.....dj and lundwanissa did some super jobs on tinnys.....for ideas and tutorials....read there

cheers
oops

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

this is what i did to my field find.

as you can see i have the same transom as you. i took a clear piece of 2x8 and cut it to fit. i did have to rabit the edges as the 2x6 was thicker than the previous transom. remove the bottom angle, and any bolts, the old transom, will slide down, and you reinstall the new from the bottom and slide it up into place. 3 coats of a quality oil base paint, and sealing any bolts with 3M-4200, it will last another 20 years. do not use pressure treat lumber, it has chemical reaction to the aluminum

for the deck, i just cuts some exterior plywood, to fit between the seat, and a little furring on the back to support in, in the center.

that is a 1955 15hp rude, the boat would move around 25 mph.

 

[a brickhead]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

That looks awsome tashasdaddy!! More or less exactly what I wanted outta this little boat. I dont know what size yours is (maybe 16ft??) but I was hoping to improve it enough to 1) make it reasonably safe for fishing the Chesapeake Bay (on a good day) 2) comfortable enough for a couple of younger kids to occationally come out with me.
The current motor I have for it is a 7.5 hp Mercury that I've slowly been restoring in my basement. I might not get it up on plane, but it'll push it until I can afford something more in the 20hp range (which I feel would be safer for fishing the Bay's open water) I like the helm on yours being in the center of the boat....does that configuration help with better handling??
It's a good thing I'm only planning on the floor and transom for now..... I'm getting all sorts of ideas!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 14ft Aluminum Semi V Project

mine is a 1960's LoneStar 14 ft. you don't need more than a 15hp. the controls came from ebay. the steering is EZGlide stick steering. i put the controls in the center, because all the boat wanted to do, with me alone was stand on it's tail. the middle controls, made it a super fun boat to be alone. it would run close to 25 mph, just me, jump waves, i use to say i was going fishing just so i could take it out an play with. another 200 lbs, it ran about 20 mph. a 7.5 would push it ok, just watch the weather in the bay.