Larson Lapline All American

[Drb007]

Picked this up today after a couple of weeks of trying to decide about a motor for my daughter's Steury restoration. I was able to hear it run, and overall it is in pretty decent shape. It is all original, even down to the Larson Lapline gas tank. The original plan was to take the motor off of the Larson for Alaina's Steury, but her boat is rated for 65hp (the Starflite is 75). Then the plan changed, and the purpose of the Larson was to be a "starter" boat for Alaina to learn to pilot, dock, trailer, etc without worrying about damaging her restored beauty. But now that it's home, I really like it! I think it has a lot more vintage style than the Steury does, and I certainly like the dash better. I don't think I can scrap this thing out! But, I can't redo BOTH boats. There just isn't enough time. Alaina and I spent quite a bit of time talking and looking at both boats tonight, and she's thinking things over. We haven't invested any $$ into the Steury yet. It is well into the teardown, but not so much time that we couldn't jump ship We are supposed to have near 70 degree days this week here in WI, and I will drop it in the lake to see how it goes. We never had a chance to do that with the Steury. Oh, and I got it for $300. Any opinions?

 

[Drb007]

For comparison, a couple of pictures of the Steury...

 

[Bonus Check]

What a find and What a price.

 

[sphelps]

I like them both ! That would be a hard decision ... I think if I had to vote I would keep the Steury ... I think it's the lap strake design..
But that's just me .. The only opinion that maters is your daughters .

 

[Woodonglass]

I vote for the Lap Strake!!! Is the Evinrude an Electric Shifter??

 

[Drb007]

Wood, it is an electric shift. I hear good and bad, but mostly guys who have had them and love them. We will see.


Any reason you would vote for the Steury over the Larson? (I assume when you said Lap Strake you meant the Steury).

 

[Woodonglass]

I had a 40 hp Selectric Shift Evinrude. Great Little motor but just not enuf power for my liking. I switched to a 85hp 76 model Johnson manual shift. As long as they work and the magnetic coils in the lower unit are good and the shifter is good they are great motors. The Starflite 75 hp should be plenty of power for that boat!!! I just like the overall styling of the Steury better. Larson makes a GREAT boat. Very good company and usually very well constructed. Same for Steury. Lapstrakes just look "Old Time" and the bow having the "Woody" look is a "+" too. My boat is similar soooo I gotta go with it!!!!

 

[Drb007]

Wood, thanks for the input. We have the Steury pretty well torn up, chipping the transom out now. The stringer is rock solid, so we are leaving that, but will replace the transom and floor. I think what we will do is use the Larson while we finish the Steury. That way if it takes us an extra year to finish I don't feel like we are losing out on the experience of her using a boat now. It's a win-win!

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup, I LIKE that plan!!!! I did a complete refresh on my Rude' so if you have to do any work on yours and need help with it, let me know and I'll be glad to lend a hand when and where I can. I learned a lot during the process. Now, if I can just remember any of it....

 

[gm280]

I have to say the Evinrude looks really clean. I know you can't go by looks, but somebody took good care of the outside anyway. I also have to say that any time you can get a daughter interested in a daughter dad rebuild, you are blessed. So whatever she picks is what I would work towards FIRST. However, don't get rid of the other boat. You will have time later on to rework that one as well. JMHO!

 

[sphelps]

Yep the Larson looks ready to go ! But the Steury just has that awesome classic look .. Not that the Larson doesn't ...

 

[Drb007]

Well, we dropped it in the lake tonight...a bit of a rush due to Day Light Savings. I did notice before we left that the keel is pretty torn up from the trailer. After taking it off and putting it back on tonight I understand why!! The lake we went to is only 4 feet deep so I wasn't too worried if we sank
But, it floated just fine, sits nicely in the water, and I tell you what, that Evinrude started right up and purred like a new motor! The electric shift works perfectly, though it certainly takes some getting used to. I kept wanting to go in reverse but just kept going forward slower...I got the hang of it.
We got it up on plane without any issues, but since it was getting dark and it was the first time out, we headed back. Total of about 15 minutes on the water. I am so happy with the motor, and will patch the keel in early spring, then rework the trailer.
Thought you'd all enjoy some pictures...

 

[jbcurt00]

Nice!

Congrats.

 

[pro-crastinator]

You may need an extention on the decision timetable here....

More evaluations need to be made. May take a few years to completely decide......
I would keep em both.

 

[Woodonglass]

FANTASTIC!!!! Nothing better than a smiling Daughter in a Boat on the water!!!!:clap2:

 

[Drb007]

Thanks guys! What is the best plan to repair the damaged keel? I am assuming it will take some kind of glass work, and I'd like to keep it on the trailer to do the repair. I can lift/block the boat to gain full access to work on it. Just for some planning. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Woodonglass]

I'm going to assume the keel damage is similar to mine...

If so...then you'll grind it down with a 24 grit resin coated grinding disc on a 4 1/2" grinder using a rubber backup pad. (Make sure and wear the appropriate PPE) and then coat it well with a thick coat of Polyester resin and then a layer of 1708 fabric and then if you want to hide the texture of the 1708 1 or 2 layers of 1.5oz CSM Then Sand and fair. Then roll on 3-4 thick coats of Gelcoat, sand and fair again, buff and polish and you're done. It's Soooo much easier if the hull is flipped but...this may not be an option for you. If you do this upside down then let me know and I can give you some tips on how to apply the glass laying on your back!!

 

[Drb007]

Wood, I will definitely do this keel down, on my back. Tips are always appreciated!

And I would say my keel damage is worse than yours. I actually crawled under before we went out with a punch to make sure there were no obvious open holes, but I am pretty sure she'd take on water to some degree as is.

 

[Drb007]

Here's mine:

 

[Woodonglass]

OWWWWWWWCH!!!!! That's not looking good but, it's glass so it's repairable. It's prolly got a wood core that's been compromised and a bit waterlogged so that will need to be totally dry before you can effect any longterm repairs on the outside. Once you're sure it's all dry then the deep gouges should be filled with "Tiger Hair". That's thickened resin with long strands of glass mixed in mixed to the consistency of peanut butter. You then sand it to conform to the original shape of the keel. Since you'll be on your back the thickness of the material makes it easy to work with upside down. Once this is all done, the glass work I described earlier is best done in 2-3 foot strips using heavy plastic sheating. You actually cut the glass to size,prolly about 8" wide by 3 ft long on your work bench and lay the good side down on the plastic and pour the resin on it and wet it out on the plastic. You then carry the plastic with the resin coated glass to the boat and put it in place and smooth it all out with the plastic on it. Once it cures the plastic will peel away and can be reused. It really works great and creates a very smooth finish and make a very drip free and less messy repair while doing it upside down. Give it a try.