Duratech Boat for Restoration

[honda-junky]

I picked up this boat and trailer last year via trading on craigslist for less than $100.

I love the boat and want to restore it... over time. It has been severely molested prior to me.

Here are some details for Identifying which model it is. Joe can you help me with this?

Duratech Model SL-6RD
Serial Number 25256
14' Long.
Year is unknown.
No title, but It will stay up in Maine on Androscoggin Lake

All of the rivets seem to be in good shape and I have already replaced all of the missing sheet metal screws holding the trim on.

The drain plug was blocked with leaves and I know that the boat at least holds water, so I am assuming it should float.

My goals for this season:

1. Plug Drain Hole (Any help on thread size would be great)
2. Replace Transom Wood.
3. Get motor re-wired and running.
4. Get on water to enjoy.

I am pretty sure I want to restore it to almost original condition.

Anybody have any pictures of this one restored or any other information?

My email is EDIT

Thanks,

Tom Maimone

 

[honda-junky]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I believe it is the Marlin 14', but the rear seats have been ripped out.

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

The style as well as s/n make this pre-Marlin days. This is a Sealine, just need to figure which one, since I believe you've either mis-read the model as SL-6RD, or else it was stamped incorrectly. I'll date it based on the s/n, look up the possible model id configs and reply again with some suggestions. Is the tag painted over where you may have gotten that wrong? I'll be back.

Nice hull for resto...you will find this no doubt as the toughest hull you've ever seen in an aluminum boat...and it will take the chop like crazy.

 

[honda-junky]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

Joe,

I will re-verify that this is the correct model #, but I am almost 100% sure it says SL-6RD. There is a very light coat of green spray paint that does not affect the reading of the Identification Tag and I was actually feelng like it was very easy to read, but I will check again.

The original color appears to be baby blue, inside and out.

Thank you for the information that it is a sealine, that helps alot.

Now if I could figure out the year that would be great.

Do you have a list of Duratech Dealers? If you did, that would help alot if there were some in new england, because I would imagine that one of them would have some additional information kicking around.

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

I believe when you re-check, you'll see that the model is S-16 RD. This looks to be the Sealine 16 foot runabout.

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

Here is the S-16RD along with specs. Assuming this is yours from your tag ID, this is a 15' 1" long boat, nose to stern (when measuring down the center line), and 15' 11" when measuring along the gunwale from nose down to one corner of the stern. Does that measure up? Your boat has a serial number which is right on the cusp of 1959 and 1960. The blue duradecking was on the '58 and '59 models only. The duradecking went to sparkling bronze in 1960. Your blue duradecking tells us that it must have been made in '59, but my guess is that it was then finished and tagged after the turn of '60, because the serial follows the 1960 format. From '57 - '59, Duratech added the last digit of the model year between the foot model of the boat (16) and the 'RD', which yours does not have. They stopped this in 1960.

 

[honda-junky]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

It is a 1959 Duratech Sealine S-16RD with a 15" Transom, the blue duradeck decking and I also have the optional bimini top.

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Duratech Boat for Restoration

Post pics here as you go. It will be great to see the progress.