Comfortable small boat

[ahannas]

My wife and I are at the age that we don't want to trailer our 19' Four Winns anymore. There is not much suitable water nearby but there are several state parks with 20HP lakes. I could easily trailer a 14-16 foot aluminum boat but I don't want to sit on a hard seat holding a tiller. So I got to thinking -

What if I bought 14' -16' aluminum deep V with a 20HP. Could I turn it into 3/4 size runabout? I'd be looking to (1) build a dashboard and mount a steering wheel, (2) mount a windshield, (3) add a pair of comfortable seats. I'd end up with an easy-to-trailer, 600#boat. 20HP should move it nicely.

Anyone ever done anything like this? Any ideas?

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you are still trailering, you have gained nothing. trailering a 14' boat is just as much work as trailering a 19' boat which is just as much work as a 26' boat.

for what you are suggesting, look for an older Mirro Ski-n-troll. then simply downsize the motor. would be cheaper and faster than building it. because it already exists.

other similar boats are from alumacraft, slick craft, star craft, etc. its the way most boats were in the 50's and 50's

below is a pic of a mid 80's version found on the net - ironically at the marina that Dad bought the '74 from

below is a pic of a mid 70's version. (grew up with a '74 in the family)

 

[jetboater]

Scott makes a good point about a 14 footer being about the same to trailer as a 19 footer.

but if you have your heart set on it, you could consider a used Boston Whaler—lots of older 13,14, and 15 footers for sale out there and most of them already have the seats, steering, and console you’re looking for.

While they’re probably a bit pricier than most aluminum boats of the same year, they hold their value well so you’d get your money back down the road if you ever decide to sell it

 

[ahannas]

Scott, Thank you for the reply. The picture of the 14' MirroCraft is exactly what I was looking for. That style was pretty typical in the 50s but I didn't think I'd be able to find one - hence my thought to make one. I certainly never thought MirroCraft would have made them well into the 1980s.

I understand your point about the amount of effort in trailering any size boat. The difference is I don't need a pickup or large SUV and none of the climbing in and out at the prep area before launch. We used to do all that but our 4Winns hasn't seen a trailer in 10 years - we just keep it on a hoist at our dock.

Thanks again, you've definitely pointed me in the right direction.