AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe. :D

[Untame]

For the past 15 years or so my father-in-law has let this boat sit next to his shop and become engulfed in a forest. It was given to him as a "fixer-upper" with a missing prop and collapsed transom (among many things). Yesterday I decided that it was a pity to let the 1966 Evinrude Lark VIII 40 fall off the back end and rot in the dirt, so I lifted it and put it in my shop for a winter rebuild project.

Today I asked him if I could have the boat, and he said sure. He was hoping to see it fixed up and used, and I've been playing with the idea of getting a boat for some family outings.

Anyway, originally I was planning on scrapping the boat, but I'm actually thinking about restoring it. :facepalm: My plans may change once I've drug it out and had a good look. I build cars for a living (www.coachsmithing.com), so I have a variety of experiences that should help me along the way, but I've never restored a boat. In fact, I've never owned a boat... or even piloted a boat (besides a canoe).

So here it is. This thread might die, or it might be epic. The future is hard to see at this point.

Question: The Evinrude is a 1966... does this mean that the boat is also a 1966? Also, I've seen references to different types of Alpex boats. How do I positively identify which model I have?

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

I've seen some threads that talk about the Alpex being a glass boat, but I just went and looked and mine is definitely aluminum. Were there different types of Alpex boats made?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

WOW!!!! You have a bonified rain forest growing in your new (old) boat!!!

Tell ya what man, if you can build a car to look like that ^^^^ this alum boat rebuild will be a total piece of cake!

Welcome to iboats and the iboats drydock

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

WOW!!!! You have a bonified rain forest growing in your new (old) boat!!!

Tell ya what man, if you can build a car to look like that ^^^^ this alum boat rebuild will be a total piece of cake!

Welcome to iboats and the iboats drydock

Thanks! I'm going to try to dig it out this week then start disassembling it and cataloging the parts. A good pressure wash ought to reveal exactly what I'm up against. I'm pretty sure it holds water because there is a small pond inside of it.

I just went out to look for the ID plate on the transom, and i found it down on the floor. The boat is a YR-16 Bel Mara. Anyone know much about these boats? 75 hp rating and 1,220 pound capacity (5-person). How can I identify the year? Like I said, the motor is a '66.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

That boat would fly with a 75 on it!

I can't help ya with the boat ID, sorry. I know a lot of guys go over to fiberglassics.com to find boat info/literature. You may have some luck there.

This should make for a fun project

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Welcome to iboats Untame!

Ya if you can build a car like that a tinny will be a breeze while you sleep.

A quick bit of looking and it seems Alpex owned Almua. I've seen a few threads on Alumas (here on iboats) that had the same paint scheme might be worth some searching.

While not always is the year of motor the same as the boat it's a good starting point. Since I do think 60's is the right time frame it's too early to have a HIN but you can look. Might find a serial # somewhere that might yield something since I've heard stories of contacting Alumacraft and getting info from there archives. I didn't have much luck but I didn't try very hard either.

My quick check of Fiberglassics reminded me that there isn't much in the way there for brochures past the 50's but I'll post it up if you want to look.

A Google image search gave me This 63' brochure on Ebay (scroll down to look at the big picture)

HTH

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Looks like this thread may be of assistance... Unfortunately, it seems 2000Viking hasn't posted anything @iboats since May 2011, or in that thread since Feb 2011. But you might PM him or any of the other posters if you have any specific questions.

And for sure look thru the AlumaCraft owners group forum, may find other helpful info.

The Evinrude OB forum can help you get the Lark back to great running condition too. You might find a manual here:

http://search.ebscohost.com/

Username: marshall
Password: public

after logon:

Select small engine repair

Select Marine/Boat motor

Scroll down & select manufacturer

Specific for your year & motor would be better, but not all are present, so in a pinch the combined manual is better then nothing
​

Welcome to iboats dry dock

When you drag her out of the 'woods' post up some more pix.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Welcome aboard again.

Have seen a few of those recently in this area. Very nice boats. From what I have seen of them my guess would be that the Evinrude and the boat are of the same year. Give or take a year. Just last summer there was a red one for sale here in Wisconsin with the same paint scheme that was finished and a very pretty boat.

Opinion here is that it's much easier to start with an old aluminum than it is an old glass boat. As long as it's not all bent up or that the aluminum hasn't started corroding it's pretty simple and straight forward. Biggest advantage here is it looks as if the windshield is intact too! Hope you decide to go for it,

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

No shift lever on the starboard side of the motor & a different (replacement) lower unit indicate that it may be an electric shift OB. Definitely get a manual for it, the model # should help you find the correct manual. If it proves to be a 1966 Evinrude, there should a parts diagrams here.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Good point as I didn't notice it before but yes the bullet shape of the gearcase would indicate that as an electric shift. The manual shifts have a split gearcase and the front is more rounded.

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

It is a "selectric shift" motor. The throttle cable is rotted in half, but it looks like all the other parts are there to make it work. The windshield has a couple small (1") cracks on the tops of the corners, but it is quite hazy. I'm not sure if there is anything that can be done to salvage it.

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Awesome links / info! Thanks, everyone!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Andgott's make a windshield thread

Glen-L site windshield post

Another make a windshield thread

Charles King's bending plexiglass windshield thread

Be careful & you might get lucky and be able to clean-up/detail the windshield frame & just fab new 'glass'

If it isn't 'cracked' badly in the corner's you might be able to follow the method described here and use the current windshield for a little while. But those cracks may get worse.....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Tinnies are easy to restore, and even if that boat does leak... leaks are easy to fix on tinnies too.

I think the hardest part of this restore will acyually be the motor and finding parts for it, but even that should'nt be that difficult.

... maybe you should scrap that motor and put one of those Bugatti straight eights in it.

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

It isn't looking too hard, but the trick will be keeping the cost down. A "free boat" can be the most expensive kind.

An 800 hp twin-supercharger inline eight inboard? That would be scary. It might take flight.

I've already decided that I'm not going to "restore" it in the technical sense. I'm going to take another approach more like "resto-mod" in the car industry. I'll keep the Evinrude 40 on it, and I'll probably make new seats just like the old ones, but I'll use different colors, finishes, etc. I'm also interested in updating some of the technology to make it more convenient or safer. I've briefly seen some threads on here about replacing the drum/pulley steering. I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows any upgrades that will make it more practical.

I got it pulled out of the "forest", and I got the rest of the forest pulled out of it. I also yanked out the seats and floors, but I have a lot of sludge to clean out yet. I'll go snap a couple pictures and be back in a minute.

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

So here are a few pictures. I think it has potential. I've already started thinking about colors and finishes. I'm thinking about going patriotic with it -- red, white, and blue (think Evil Knieval, Wonder Woman, AMC AMX, etc.). Maybe even some white stars on a blue field. All of the pitted chrome I'll probably brush off with a wire wheel and powder coat (white?). The aluminum trim I'll actually buff to a high shine and ceramic coat it (clear coat) to protect it from the elements. The interior side wood (and rear) I'll replace with a laminated plywood, and I'll stain and poly it -- instead of re-wrapping it with that plastic/vinyl. The dash will also be painted. Just some ideas right now...

I think I have enough wood / material from the seats to duplicate them. My grandparents are retired from the re-upholstry business, and I might tap grandma to make new seat covers. They're in their 80s, but still very active. I'd like to make a couple jump seats for the rear also -- I have four little girls, so it would be nice if we could go out as a family.

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

One more pic:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Check out that bow light! Whoot, whoot baby, sweet!!

I hope you can make that look preety again

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Nice looking w/ lots of possibilities, I really like the bow light w/ flag mast!

There are AlumaCraft flags available here. Although a slanted grommet edge might fit the rake of the mast better, I don't know off-hand where online they might be available.

Take care not to further stress the transom skin, it's been under duress for quite a while. That's a heck of a sag from the motor's weight & a wooden transom that barely had the consistency of well chewed tobacco... May require drastic measures to get the transom skin squared away and ready for the plywood transom to be installed.

Are the rear corners at the transom welded or riveted (like a Starcraft)?

 

[Untame]

Re: AlumaCraft Alpex restoration... maybe.

Nice looking w/ lots of possibilities, I really like the bow light w/ flag mast!

There are AlumaCraft flags available here. Although a slanted grommet edge might fit the rake of the mast better, I don't know off-hand where online they might be available.

Take care not to further stress the transom skin, it's been under duress for quite a while. That's a heck of a sag from the motor's weight & a wooden transom that barely had the consistency of well chewed tobacco... May require drastic measures to get the transom skin squared away and ready for the plywood transom to be installed.

Are the rear corners at the transom welded or riveted (like a Starcraft)?

I think it is riveted. I was already thinking that I might replace the aluminum. I'm also thinking about making a u-channel steel piece to slip over the top with steel plates for the motor clamps -- just to be sure it doesn't get tweaked again.

I found out tonight that the boat has been sitting outside since 1985. That explains why the plywood floors were reduced to pulp. They said that when they got it ("inherited" it after a step-brother died) it was actually in pretty good shape. What a shame. Not even a tarp put over the top. Oh well, things are what they are, and I'm going to bring it back.