1958 Flying D

[1958 Flying D]

hey all, this is my first post. i have a 1958 Alumacraft Flying D with a 1972 johnson evenrude 25 horse. i have had it for years. i have installed a oak dash , trolling motor, depth finder, bilge pump, dual batteries, radio and 4 speaker system. i havent found many photos of flying d and looking for orignal pictures of the paint job, i believe it was orignally red. the windshield has been long gone and i am also looking for pics or specs of the windsheild to have one built or if anyone knows where i can buy one. i would greatly apreciate any photo's or information on this model or any pics of the original stickers. alumacraft doesnt offer the stickers anymore. thanks everyone. see ya on the lakes

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1958 Flying D

1958 Flying D, Welcome to iboats.

Could your boat look like this?

I don't know for sure if it's a Flying D. I found it on the fiberglassics web site in the aluminum forum awhile ago. Maybe you can also get help there or also in the main forum. For now I don't know why the aluminum forum just shows recent posts.

There is also a 1954 Alumacraft Flying D post here.

You have a beautiful boat and so much more if kept like original. To have like original is rare and a treasure. If you could, sometime post a picture.

 

[1958 Flying D]

Re: 1958 Flying D

i got alot more pics but im still on dial up so it takes a while. i love my boat, just took it out today and had a blast. it has a original transom , only one patch on the right side. its been a family boat for 48 years.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1958 Flying D

Wow! Beautiful boat! Thanks for the picture. My posted pictures are the Flying D. Your boat is a treasure and you are very lucky to have it. If I had such a boat I would strive to make like original and whatever it takes to do it. Take your time with a beauty like that.

I have a 1968 FD that I bought new. It's the utility boat of the Flying D and FDR or FD Runabout, that were discontinued. It's the naked version of yours with the Aqueduct transom yours has.

 

[grblitz]

Re: 1958 Flying D

My cousin just bought an old boat for really cheap and is trying to turn it into a fishing machine. I went over to take a look at it and found out that it is a 1958 Flying D. He is planning on cutting a hole in the cowl for a fishing seat! I nearly died.

Until he bought this boat I had never even heard of a Flying D. After finding this post I have fallen in love with it. These boats are simple and elegant.

Anyways, the reason I replied is because I have the windshield for it. It is in two pieces but could be used as a template or as a reference. He is going to throw it away but I can save it if you want it.

I can't afford to buy the boat from him to save it but at least I might be able to help someone else restore a great boat. Let me know if you want it.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1958 Flying D

It's sad that people try to make these boats into something else than what they were built for, then there gone forever. It ends up a hodgepodge of what they want it to be and there are countless boats to be had, made for what they want. Then they'll tire and dispose of the boat they ruined. It happens all to often. They don't know any better, or never will, or care to. That's why these classic beautiful boats as kept like original are so very rare, just to survive through the years.

Try to educate your cousin. If that doesn't work, try how you can to buy it for top dollar. If that doesn't work, steal it and I sincerely mean it. He bought it cheap, he'll get over it. This could be a win win situation, as someday he'll see the error of his ways with a boat like that.

 

[grblitz]

Re: 1958 Flying D

I think I have him talked into a different boat, now I just need to find him one! I may have just bought a Flying D. I want to restore it to the condition of the boats in this thread.

If you want to go in together to get two windshields based off of the broken one I have it may save us both a couple bucks.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1958 Flying D

My cousin just bought an old boat for really cheap and is trying to turn it into a fishing machine.

I think I have him talked into a different boat, now I just need to find him one!

This boat is more common to be found. Here's my FD, the naked version of the Flying D. It is a fishing machine.

I'm glad to hear the Flying D is saved! Your cousin and you will surely find a more suitable boat for fishing.

 

[breeze]

Re: 1958 Flying D

OH! So that's what mine was supposed to look like! My hull is a 1950, the motor is a '55 25hp Johnson that I just got done doing as much as I can to it. It runs like a champ and handles beautifully. I have the bow cover sitting in my shed, all sanded by the previous owner. It's basically a fishing machine now, but I've been wondering, from what I've seen for screw holes and the 2 blocks on the hull where the rear seat support was, what it looked like originally.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1958 Flying D

breeze..... Very nice for a 1950. Any boat setup strictly for fishing that's ideal for you makes it your fishing machine. Your also lucky to have that boat, they're are hard to find and it will appreciate in value. Looks like an original steering console? Try as you can to keep it like original and learn about your boat, they are the best. Just my thoughts.

Check out this one..... Your boat with the quarter deck (hull cover) on. It has this potential, but I wouldn't do it!

A pictured 14' FD Alumacraft with 2 Mercury Mark 55's on the transom. Courtesy of vintagealumacraft.

Imagine a Flying D setup.

 

[breeze]

Re: 1958 Flying D

Thanks for the compliment In looking at the above pictures, I think what is being used as a steering console was originally one of the seat back supports for the front bench. The other one is gone, but the holes where it was screwed in are all there. The quarter deck does have the mounting hole for the steering wheel assembly. Maybe someday if I upgrade to something bigger I'll hang on to 'er and restore it to it's original condition, but my friends are already calling "dibs" on buying it off me if that day ever comes. And I'm trying SO hard to use as many of the preexisting holes and bolts that are there already for mounting whatever I have to. They really seem to be a thing of beauty with all the soft curves you don't see on any of the newer boats.