1952 Duracraft Sportsman

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Looks great, nice work:

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

She looks great casey! I really like the low cut windshield and polished aluminum. I agree that a splash is in order. You can always work on the cowl over the winter as a project.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Thanks Guys! I'll be sure to get some nice water shots without that ugly building in the back ground. LOL :laugh:

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Splash! Splash! Splash!

 

[GWPSR]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Absolutely gorgeous! Standing ovation.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Splash! Splash! Splash!

Yep!!! Everything is in place, just need a fresh tank of gas and throw in some life vests. My cushions are being made and I don't figure them to be ready by the weekend, but if the weather is nice, then the splash is on!

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Absolutely gorgeous! Standing ovation.

Thank You Sir!

 

[64osby]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Plus....I really really really would like to give it a splash before winter hits.

Do you get Winter down there? Avg snow fall of .5" maybe.

Fantastic project Casey. Time to go have FUN. :triumphant::thumb:

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Do you get Winter down there? Avg snow fall of .5" maybe.

Fantastic project Casey. Time to go have FUN. :triumphant::thumb:

Well......not really I guess, it does get cold and windy though LOL. Was going to splash it today, temps are great, but winds are about 15 mph and I really did not want to make my first launch with the wind blowing me around, especially the loading back up part. I spent the day refinishing a mid seventies Shakespeare "WONDER TROLL" trolling motor. It was left behind in a glasser that I picked up a year or so ago on a trade, it was all rusty and I figured it to be trash but decided to hook it to 12V to see, and danged if it didn't work like a champ, all speeds, forward and reverse, even the little light works. So I sanded it down and shot some paint on it. I will use it as a back up if something happens to the Johnson to get me to the bank. Frankly, I hope it never hits the water, but it will sure beat the heck out of a paddle if that time comes.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Did you ever figure out what the loops under each sitting position is on the back of the bench seat is for?

Mine are on the front of the forward bench, and the back of the rear bench:

Have a good long weekend!

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

I've never gotten an official answer to that, I just figured it was to tie down seat cushions (at least that is what I'm going to use mine for) but the fact that yours doesn't have them front and back on both benches makes me think otherwise. There was a fellow that had the twin to my DuraCraft that looked like everything was original and intact that I requested more pictures and info. from, but he never responded and hasn't been back on. I've stopped asking Mr. Ward details, because he simply can't remember, so until I find one that has those loops in use that appears to be all original I really don't know.

 

[GWPSR]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Did the original seat backs have tubing that would have been under those straps?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Did the original seat backs have tubing that would have been under those straps?

I don't know about Casey's, but mine couldn't have been for that. The fixed bench back wouldn't allow you to reverse the seat back, since the straps on mine are on the front of the bench.

The reversible seat was an option on some 50-60's vintage boats, I'll see if I can find a pix...

Be back....

EDIT:

So maybe mine has a different models bench seat & the Duraflite Custom's seat back??? IDK. Hard to say..

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

So, about that splash... when is that happening?

 

[laurentide]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Wow, really cool boat and amazing job. Those lines....

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

I did think about the seat back option, but the way the bench cap overhangs a tube can't be slid into the loops. It's possible that they just put them on all of the bases and depending on the final build had a different cap with cutouts for the tubes. I only have four on each bench (two on the front and two on the rear) swapping a long seat back from front to rear might work on the rear bench, but not the front one. So there are not enough loops for the short seat back that JB posted a picture of ( would be cool to add some loops and maybe do some cutouts for the tubes on the rear bench, I might think about that) Plus mine had factory brackets to install a rigid seat back for the front seating area. Here is the only picture I have of a DuraCraft that is identical to the way mine was originally.



I so wanted more pictures of this boat, the interior, how the factory plywood seat back was installed, just a good look at everything on the interior, but I have yet to get a response back from this "one post and gone" fellow. I can't even find the post now, it's dropped of my activity list.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

So, about that splash... when is that happening?

Next calm sunny day! This weekend? Haven't looked at the forecast yet, but I am very anxious. I still have a few finishing touches, but nothing that will keep it out of the water.

 

[xjdriver]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

So, about that splash... when is that happening?

X2.....

Crap. My phones to slow

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Wow, really cool boat and amazing job. Those lines....

Thanks, Like I mentioned above, I still have a few finishing touches, I have some original style DuraCraft decals ordered and I still need to glue down my carpet and get my cushions from the trim shop. You see, If I were JB and I had my own sewing machine I could have made my own.... maybe some day, maybe some day.:joyous:

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

So I'm down on the coast , Gulf Shores, Al. And I'm in a souvenir shop (usually not my favorite place, but I do like this particular one) I've been here before and seen what I'm about to share, but this time the wife (Jenn) said "hey, why don't you take some pictures" well being that I finally gave in and got a new phone with more than 1.8mp LOL I can actually take some pictures that look decent. Anyway, there are a couple of boats in this place and the checkout counter is even made like an old wooden boat. There is this somewhere around 20ft Chris Craft that is the main focus (it's not a barrel back though) that is pretty cool ,but not really my thing and then there is this around 14 ft runabout that looks like a wooden version of my boat but I have no clue who its made by. I must say, I really love this boat, even as much as the DuraCraft.
ing