Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

[JamesM56alum]

Hello this is my first post even though i pretty much surf through here every day and have been for the last few months, i recently bought what i think is a 56 model B alumacraft the title says it's a 14 ft 56 alumacraft but no model at all nore is there a model or rating tag on the back of the boat or the inside of the hull. the only thing it says is property of Wisconson game and wildlife so obviously it was a state boat at one point.

i have a few questions but i wont go in too deep untill i get a chance to post pictures so you guy can tell me what i think i have. My main question is what is the best way to reinforce the transum other than just using wood, it has a little bit of flex in it when we're on the water and also there is a small crack on the trim that runs along the top of the transum. im not too concerned about it but it would be nice to get it to where it doesnt feel so loose. Also im planning on building a flat bottom for the center of the boat with a live well in the center, any suggestions on type of plywood and carpet etc etc ? and also when i first got it some one had painted it with black and red house paint which i cut down with a fine wire wheel on a grinder and coated the whole bottom of it in dupicolor bed liner which is awesome it dampend most of the sound and really made a difference in the flex on the bottom of the boat while going through the water. Now to my last questions because i know im writing a book here but im going to be painting the sides of the boat from the middle trim up to the rim around the top, i want to paint it a gloss white what type of paint or primer should i use to do this to insure it will stick and last alot longer than normal spray paint.

P.S any suggestions on what i can use for bumpers for the upper rim of the boat since iv searched all over the internet for a universal half moon trim that will cover the rim but theres nothing i can find that actually fit's the image in my mind of what im looking for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wlg]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Hello James, Just read your first release ( just joking ). It's not hard comming up with a million questions and ideas when doing one of these projects. I have a project on here myself.
For the floor I used a good quility exterior grade plywood (3/4") from Lowes. The carpet was for marine use, also from Lowes. My paint is rustoleum topside marine paint from Ace. I brushed it on. you can also roll or spray it. Seems like a good paint from what I see. I have not had the boat in water yet, but it looks good in the yard. I used self etching primer on everything.
Pictures of the other issues you talk about will help get the different ideas you're looking for. If the wood on the transom is bad, replace it. You could brace up the top with aluminum angle or c channel.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

HI James. Welcome to iboats. Congrats on your new toy. Working on these old aluminum boat is pretty easy. There are just a few basic rules to follow. 1.) NEVER use pressure treated lumber on an aluminum boat as the preservatives in the wood will react with the aluminum and cause electrolytic pitting. Instead use high quality, exterior grade plywood sealed with either epoxy, then paint (for UV protection), or you can use high quality, wax free polyester resin (not the stuff from Lowes/HD) and fiberglass mat. Epoxy is a bit more expensive, but it's also easier to work with and most folks prefer it. West Marine stores carry it in stock, or you can order it online from places like UScomposites. Aruco (sp?) brand plywood is available at lowes and HD and is good quality. 2 3/4" sheets glued together with PL 400 construction adhesive (also available at Lowes/HD), then epoxied will give you a very solid transom that will last for many, many years. 2.) Be sure you replace any rivets with rivets one size larger to ensure a tight seal. Any other fasteners should be stainless steel and ideally coated with 3M 5200 marine caulk. You can get practically everything you need, except the epoxy from Lowes/HD. Check out the Starcraft restoration forums here for tips and ideas. holler if you get stuck. we love pics.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Thanks for the reply guys, i will post pics of what i have tomorrow i do have another question what is the ideal motor for these boats iv surfed around and found any where from 10 hp all the way up to 25hp but the way i see it the 25hp might just turn it into a freaking plane the boat only ways like a 100 lbs i just want to easily get across the lakes in a "SAFE" timely manner. It has a 5.5 johnson seahorse on it right now which i love the motor it's great for trolling but its not as powerful as i'd like because getting down the river is easy as cake but getting back up it is the a little harder with the 5.5 the poor thing screams and yet it's like we're sitting still lol :facepalm:

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Hi James. I think you'd be fine with a 25, maybe even a 35, but not much more. I have a '66 20 hp on my '59, 14' v-hull, aluminum boat and it gets it up on plane nicely and runs about 20-25 mph with one person in it. I would try to keep the 5.5 as a kicker. I you can find a sweet vintage 20-30 hp to use along with your vintage 5.5, on a great old boat like that, you'll be the coolest guy on the lake.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Nice thanks man, i was meaning to ask you're from nothern florida but what part? i was born in defuniak springs but i was raised in pensacola. Sadly im stuck in minnesota right now freaking hate the cold and the fishing here the boat season is so short you cant even get any decent fishing done. Me an the family will be moving back come march of next year woohoo!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

I'm right down the road from P-co in Tallahassee. Sorry you're stuck in the Great White North. Glad you'll be back soon. The azaleas are already starting to bloom down here. We'll keep the beaches warm and the waters clear for ya.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

God i miss the smell of the azaleas and the honeysuckle blooms spring is by far my favorite season down south! lol

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Don't worry. It's still here. Got any pics of your boat? You're gonna bring it down with you when you move back, right?

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

oh god yes im going to be bringing it down with me when we move, hopfully if we get the house we want we will be right off the intercoastal water way so we can have the dock right out in the back yard. As far as the pic's go im taking some today after work and i'll upload them tomorrow afternoon, i ripped off the wood on the transom last night and all i found was a tiny little corner of the sticker for the ratings of the boat, but nothing else. i hate previous owners lol im going to be measuring out the bottom for the flat floor and going to be measuring out the transom for the new wood, im considering installing a draincock since it doesnt have one any suggestions on that ?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

water in the backyard would be nice. where are you moving back to? can't wait to see the pics. As far as drains go, there are two basic types. You can either go with a relatively large central transom plug, or a smaller corner plug/scupper valve found in the floor. There's not much difference between the two really. It would probably be easier for you to install a single plug in the bottom of the transom. You can get plugs and drain tubes here at iboats. Here are some links to get you started.


http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...02--keywords.drain plug--**********.569930139

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=334894&highlight=installing+drain+plug

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

we'll be moving back to pensacola to be near my parents i havent been back in 4 years we're going to be flying down in feb to see them and spend a week down there just to catch up and look at property, it's going to kill me coming back here knowing i have to wait another year to move down lol im not going to want to deal with the cold again for another year. Thanks on the info about the draincock just a quick question on the drain plugs, this one is the complete kit ? all i need to do is drill the hole for the plug and pop the holes for the mount and seal it up and thats all correct ?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

yup. most folks like using 3M 5200 marine caulk for through hull applications. It's a very tough, but flexible and available at most auto parts stores and/or Lowes/HD. It's pretty gloopy, so have some acetone handy to clean up with and give it a few days to fully cure. Although, I think they make a fast curing version, if you can find it. Here's a link from a fellow iboater in your same boat (sorry I couldn't resist the pun). Loos like he's installing a drain too.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=529858

 

[Beefer]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

yup. most folks like using 3M 5200 marine caulk for through hull applications. It's a very tough, but flexible and available at most auto parts stores and/or Lowes/HD. It's pretty gloopy, so have some acetone handy to clean up with and give it a few days to fully cure. Although, I think they make a fast curing version, if you can find it. Here's a link from a fellow iboater in your same boat (sorry I couldn't resist the pun). Loos like he's installing a drain too.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=529858

The big orange box store carries 5200 fast cure tube for $7.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Awesome thanks for the link, as promised here is some pic's of the boat, nothing to look at but she floats an thats good enough for me, also ignore the clutter int he garage the wife seems to think it's fine to store all the summer crap in "My" garage during the winter lol

I took the wire wheel to the paint today just to speed up the process of using the aircraft remover next week

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Here is the crack in the transom i was talking about earlier i patched it when i first got her with some JB weld it held up pretty good but i want a stronger fix than that and good lord does that crap stink when you're grinding it off it smells like week old ****

And the final pic for today is the rail, i mentiond something about some half moon rubber bumpers that might slip over it does any one know where i can find something ?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Hello again cc. Great little set up you got there. I love how someone painted the old, white Johnson black (looks like a '59 model btw). It looks very Darth Vadery and matches the boat. It looks like they forgot to paint the underside though As for the crack in the transom, that's not big deal. Any aluminum welder can fix that right up for you for $10-$20. In fact, lots of guys here have good luck taking there boat to local welding shops to fill in cracks and pin holes. For $50, or less, especially if he's a boat guy too, you can probably get a pro to give the boat the one over and fix any minor repairs. Some folks here have had luck with CitriStrip paint remover. It's all natural and doesn't seem to have harsh fumes, etc...Here are some handy links for you motor too. Keep us posted!

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377805/37780500001.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/index1.htm


btw.......about 80 degrees down here today Sorry, I just couldn't resist! Don't worry you'll be back before you know it.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

lol god i know dont remind me my parents keep rubbing it in at how great the weather is there right now, it's 25 here today for the high and we got 4 inches of snow so far and yesterday it was only 15 outside with freezing rain, it was freaking awesome having to scrape the crap out of my windows when i left work yesterday " NOT! " one more year i just keep telling my self that but i know the more i look forward to it the longer it's going to take..

Northern people can keep their cold and snow i'd trade a snowmobile in for a jetski or boat anyday!

 

[JamesM56alum]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

I'v looked every where and no one offers bumpers for my style of boat rim iv decided im going to change my paint sceme and do black bottom white side and black rail " Using the black bedliner spray " since it's almost impossible to scratch the stuff i love it the whole bottom of the boat is coated in it and it doesnt mark up at all even if it bottoms out on the boat launch.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Hopfully some one has some idea's for my 56 14ft alumacraft model B

Just a thought on a possible location for the rubrail you are looking for...don't know if any of this stuff will work, but try JCWhitney catalog or Steele Rubber Products...maybe one of them will have something...most of this stuff is used for automotive weatherstripping, but you might find something to fit the bill...???