1952 Duracraft Sportsman

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

While I'm asking, I'm also looking for the center cap that goes with my steering wheel. Anybody have one or have a lead?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

It's a Burgee flag pole.

If you have access to a lathe it wouldn't be 20hrs to make 1 if you can come up with the mahogany stick @1" square @ 12-16" long.

You might make the center cap w/ the lathe out of mahogany too....

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Thanks for the correct name, that always gets better results when searching. I saw a couple on Ebay under "Burgee flag pole" in my price range. Thanks again. The center cap is a chrome piece that has slots in it that fit down over the spokes. I had one in my sights a while back that I was bidding on and let it get away from me. Oh well doesn't look that bad without it, maybe I will eventually come across another one. I thought I had a picture, but haven't found it yet.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Okay, I have found that my steering wheel is a Nautalloy Steering Wheel from 1959. I knew it was not original to the boat, although it was part of the purchase deal. I do like it better than the original for a couple of reasons, one, it just plain looks better and two, I'm a big guy and the way it mounts gives me more room under the steering wheel. Anyway, I would love to find an original center cap for it. Here's a couple pictures.


Maybe someone has seen or has one for sale.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Casey:
Awesome job... Not sure how I overlooked this thread... I love the paint color and your dash (closed blow surgery) turned out fantastic...

I love your boat, and you have done a great job so far.

Look forwarding to following along to the splash...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Give evil-bay a shot for you steering wheel cap. There are several 'blank' dome'd caps listed.

 

[Bill in Oregon]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Such an impressive restoration! Can't wait to see you on the water in it. I'm looking at a similar 1950s Blue Star, but lack your excellent skills.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Thanks for the complements Guys, I learn from my mistakes and have gotten pretty good at fixing my goof ups because I've made plenty to practice on Thanks JBC for the idea, I'll do a little searching there later on, maybe I'll get lucky. I'm hoping to get my windshield glass next week and I'll have everything back on the outside. I'm working on my controls and should have them on soon. Then comes the power!!!

 

[64osby]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Then comes the power!!!

Awesome, Then SPLASH

Looking great Casey!

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

My windshield got finished Friday! If you remember, I made a patten from a piece of flexible wall board. I sent that pattern to a glass co. in town and they cut and finished the edges using my pattern. I was going to do this myself, but they did it for $58.85. I could not even get a scrap piece of 1/4 tented plexiglass for that, so it was the best thing to do. Here's how it turned out.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Okay, I'm sure some of you noticed that RED knob, and yes I now have my controls reworked and installed. I took the little simplex apart and bead blasted the housing (after taping up the name plate) and shifter handles, painted the knobs and just put clear on the housing. Then lubed everything up good and put it all back together. Works as smooth as a new one, cables and all!


I also took these shots because I just thought it was a neat angle. One shot really shows the inward rake of the gunnels towards the inside as it gets close to the transom. That's one reason why I like this little boat so much, and why, even though I need another boat like the proverbial hole in the head, I'd love to add a Feather Craft to my fleet.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Awesome! I'd say you got a steal on that windshield fab!!!

So.... (1) Hang on a motor on the back of it; (2) drive west on 1-20 about 90 minutes; (3) pick me up; and (4) let's splash this thing...

All kidding aside, you have done a superb job!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

great work, looks really great!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

stunning!!!!

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Time for the wiring of the lights, ignition switch and solenoid box. I've been trying to change the flywheel on my little 88 Johnson 25hp to an electric start flywheel with the ring gear. Can't get the original one off. Any tricks you guys can think of? I've soaked the shaft with BP Blaster for a week and bumped the end of my puller with a hammer and it will not budge. I was told not to use heat due to the electronics under and around the flywheel.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Awesome! I'd say you got a steal on that windshield fab!!!

So.... (1) Hang on a motor on the back of it; (2) drive west on 1-20 about 90 minutes; (3) pick me up; and (4) let's splash this thing...

All kidding aside, you have done a superb job!

We'll have to actually do that sometime!

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Okay, I have found that my steering wheel is a Nautalloy Steering Wheel from 1959. I knew it was not original to the boat, although it was part of the purchase deal. I do like it better than the original for a couple of reasons, one, it just plain looks better and two, I'm a big guy and the way it mounts gives me more room under the steering wheel. Anyway, I would love to find an original center cap for it. Here's a couple pictures.
View attachment 194996
View attachment 194997
Maybe someone has seen or has one for sale.

Update, I found one of these! Actually a nice fellow from Ferdinand, ID. Had the steering wheel and cap and mailed it to me. I received it last Saturday. Now I have an extra steering wheel so I guess if there is still someone out there that has just the cap, maybe a complete set up can be made with the extra wheel and I might use it on my next boat project.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

I have been doing a little work on my little project, just soooooo busy at the shop. Here's a few shots of a little more progress.


The seat back is aluminum bleacher seating. The plans are to cover the front with vinyl and padding rapped over the top and hooked on the lip on the back side,top and bottom, so there will be no snaps. The plastic "J" channel will be stitched to the vinyl like what you see on modern car seats. The Pennant is just a happy :joyous:

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

No new pictures to post, but I wanted to give an update on progress. I been working on my power plant, just basic stuff like water pump impeller, new seal behind the prop. and changing the foot oil. This is a little 1988 25hp Johnson that should push the DuraCraft just fine. The boat is only rated for a 25hp rated at the crank anyway and this year model is rated at the prop, so it's a little overrated anyway. As previously mentioned, I installed a flywheel with a ring gear for a starter to convert it to electric start. I'm looking for the starter bracket if anyone has a mid 80's to mid 90's 20hp to 35hp that they are scrapping out. Anyway, that's about it for now!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1952 Duracraft Sportsman

Not sure if they'll pull the bracket off the starter, but they might:
Evil-bay classified

Seems there may have been a design flaw in the bracket, lots of cracked starter bracket hits.....