Can I Flip my Boat?

[kskomro]

I have a 14' 88 Alumcraft Side Console Lunker aluminum boat. It has the live wells, storage compartements, ect. weighs roughly without motor 480lbs. I need to sand & paint the bottom. Should I attempt to flip it side-over or bow over useing the winch hole on the bow hull? could I ruin the hull or transom?

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Can I Flip my Boat?

kskomro,

Welcome to iboats and it's a good question. I had a '88 16' Lunker (tiller steer), 525 lbs. The hull is like yours. For ease of rolling over, I'd roll it side over on soft ground plus using the bow eye and the transom tie down hooks to keep some weight off the side and several buddies to help lift. The gunwale sides of the boat are not built for that boat weight.

Turning boat bow over on the transom with some lift sounds good, but much more difficult.

Personally I don't ever see a need to sand and paint the bottom, if it's for fresh water use. The hull bottom kept as original and with no maintenance will outlast your lifetime and your heirs.

You have a super boat, a two piece hull with the seam under the keel.

 

[kskomro]

Re: Can I Flip my Boat?

I agree not to paint the bottom but I just purchased the boat, previous owner painted it, Not very good, and looks like crap. I figure maybe it might stop any leaks if there is any.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Can I Flip my Boat?

I doubt that there are any leaks and painting isn't a cure. People do wrong by painting, for reasons of what ever. Sometimes just to camouflage the bottom thinking to catch more fish.

The bottom originally wasn't painted. So I'd just chemically strip the paint off and leave it as is. I don't know the best way of striping, as I've never done it. Use the search feature here to find and there are several ways members use with success. Over time it'll slightly oxidize to a light gray color, which also protects the aluminum and it's good forever.

 

[kskomro]

Re: Can I Flip my Boat?

things got much worse, I decieded not to flip boat. The darn boat was soo heavy because I found 3 decks in boat. 2 of them rotted, along with foam soaked to the bone! I've pulled out about 300 pounds of soaked old decking and foam. I'm in the process of rebuilding a new deck and installing new foam. To think someone actually had this boat in the water with so much weight.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Can I Flip my Boat?

I'm not into rebuilding but it sounds like you'll get it as it should be and you'll be the best owner.