Bought a "new" boat today!

[Fisherman94]

OK, not even close to new It is a 1954 14 foot aluminum Watercraft Seaman. The guy said it was a Crestliner, I heard that Crestliner owned the brand Watercraft. Not sure though. Anyways, the transom is rock solid, no leaks, damage, etc. It sure is better than my old boat. It was only $200.

Current equipment not yet attached, 2009 Yamaha 8 HP outboard, MinnKota Endura 30, Humminbird PiranhaMAX 10.. and of course gear - like fishing rods, anchor, lights, etc.

So here are some pictures, sorry for the bad quality, I was on a "natural light" setting which I remember makes pictures appear grainy..

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu296/alexelliott1994/DSCF0929.jpg

No offense to anyone, but I'm not really a fan of the Christian symbol on it (even though I am Christian)

- I need to update the registration on it

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu296/alexelliott1994/DSCF0932.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu296/alexelliott1994/DSCF0930.jpg


http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu296/alexelliott1994/DSCF0934.jpg

The rectangular thing under the seat is aluminum, and I noticed that there is no foam inside of it. Does it matter that there is no flotation foam in the boat?

I think the exterior paint is in pretty good condition overall. I think I may just paint the interior a light tan or something, due to the wearing away of the camo. My only concern is the 4th seat, how there is not very much supporting it up, although it feels sturdy.

I redid the trailer last summer, new wiring, safety chains, etc. Sanded it all down (used to be tan and full of rust) and repainted it. I think it looks pretty nice, just need to touch up a few spots where paint had been accidentally scraped off.

Any comments/suggestions? Anything I could add onto it? Not sure if adding a casting deck would be possible, haha.

Thanks!

Edit: Sorry for the excessive photo size, Bob! I don't go on here much

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bought a "new" boat today!

Look into home depot or lowes pink or blue board foam insulation and you can fill the cavity with foam.

Be very careful in adding a casting deck..... stability is not the greatest in small aluminum boats...... do some height testing with a few milk crates first at the ramp.

Painting the interior tan is a great idea and rustoleum is your friend for that.

No one is offended if you remove symbols

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Bought a "new" boat today!

did that $200 include the trailer? even if not still a great deal!

 

[Fisherman94]

Re: Bought a "new" boat today!

Look into home depot or lowes pink or blue board foam insulation and you can fill the cavity with foam.

Be very careful in adding a casting deck..... stability is not the greatest in small aluminum boats...... do some height testing with a few milk crates first at the ramp.

Painting the interior tan is a great idea and rustoleum is your friend for that.

No one is offended if you remove symbols

Thanks for the suggestion for the foam, my only question, do I need the foam insulation under the seats? - what good does it do for me? I'm not quite a boat expert yet, haha this is only my second boat.

On the casting deck, it is just an idea for now. I'm not sure if I will do it or not, but one thing I could try is cutting out a sheet of plywood two fit over the two front seats in the boat and just set it in there and attempt standing on it (on a non-windy day of course) and pray I don't fall out of the boat - or just try what you said.

Also, before I forget, what exact "type" of Rustoleum do you recommend? I just want something that won't wear off too quickly.

Thanks!

did that $200 include the trailer? even if not still a great deal!

No, it did not include the trailer. The guy didn't even have a trailer, he said all he used to do is just throw it in the back of his truck and drive on down to the lake haha. The trailer it is currently on is the trailer I restored last summer, which used to hold my old aluminum boat. Like you said, it sure was a great deal anyways. The cheapest aluminum boats I could find around here were $400+, I just wanted something inexpensive. And it has a 4th seat, which most of the others for sale only had 3.

 

[dave11]

Re: Bought a "new" boat today!

Isn't aluminim great? 56 yrs and still in good shape.

 

[Fisherman94]

Re: Bought a "new" boat today!

Isn't aluminim great? 56 yrs and still in good shape.

That's for sure. I was surprised when I found out that it was older than I had thought.