Look at what I just picked up for free.

[vintagecamping]

Hi Everyone

A buddy gave me this boat yesterday, It's in expected shape for a free one. The trailer was too rusty to tow so I put it on a car hauler and brought it home.The floor is shot, transome is questionable, but the hull is perfect. The engine had developed shifting problems 15 years ago and was parked and forgotten about. I have no clue as to what year it is or who built it. Anyone Have guess? I plan to restore it either way but would like to know the year. I've look for numbers but can't find any. The boat is 17ft 6.5ft wide and is rivited.
Thanks Marc
http://picasaweb.google.com/hotrodnova/BillsBoat2?feat=directlink

 

[Mark42]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Hey! Welcome it iboats. Free boats are free for a reason, as I'm sure you are aware from the description of your latest acquisition.

BTW, you forgot the photo!

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

...-~^

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

It's not in terrible shape... Seriously though, I've seen alot worse!

It looks like a Starcraft to me. There are a ton of Starcraft guys on this site and they would know better than me.

Also, looking at you pictures, it looks like that motor has a racing lower unit on it. If the engines shot you might be able to get a good price for that. Keep us updated on your progress!

BOB

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

The motor is a 60s vintage Johnson 4 cylinder, with a distributor ignition system.. The lower unit is stock, but is probably of another model year, or is an Evinrude gearcase. I can't tell the hp rating just by looking at it, but if there is a data plate on the transom bracket, post the model number here and we can figure it out.

While the gearcase looks "sleeker" than most OMC gearcases, it is typical of the motor involved. By the looks of the stock Johnson Shipmaster shift/throttle control unit, the engine is a mechanical shift. Whether or not the motor is worth anything, is hard to tell unless you determine its running condition and the nature of the "shifting problem." The most likely source of shifting problems would be a worn clutch dog and that is a "dealer direct" part. Basically what that means is that you can't get a new one from BRP, or any of the NOS (new, old stock) warehouses around North America. As such, you are limited to finding one sitting on the shelf at a dealer somewhere.

The old OMC 4 cylinder engines were certainly good motors in their day, but they are gas hogs and hard to keep running, due to lack of parts. As such, I wouldn't put much money in the one you have.

The boat looks like it is restorable, so with some money and lots of "sweat equity," you should be able to make a nice rig out of it. I have no idea what brand it is, but the Starcraft suggestion could be right on target. In any case, the boat looks like it could be really nice, if brought back to life.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

it has potential.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Nice find. Head on over to the restoration forum and check out all the aluminum boat projects going on over there.

Before:

After:

 

[cbavier]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Marc welcome to iboats. Yes I agree it looks like a Starcraft to me. It looks like a GREAT free boat. A lot of work ahead but fun to strip and restore. Look for the Manufacturers Plate on the back of the transom for ID or the Secretary of State may be able to trace the boat history through the old registrations numbers. I am looking for something just like that or a pontoon to play with/ restore myself. Have fun. Keep us pictured and posted as to your progress.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

.......It looks like a GREAT free boat....

That is a fantastic gift you have been given! It's really no more work to fix an old rotten boat that looks ugly than it is to fix an old rotten boat that looks good- they both need the same TLC and the price of yours is...quite acceptable!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Nice boat...I hope you find hours of pleasure on the water and little time in the shop...Be fore warned here Tinkeritis can be a very consuming addiction....You can easily lose your perspective..Even the best of do this..Notice that boat below..for the luv of god...he has forgotten to place a equal number of launchers in the bow of the boat..it has no balance..on top of that there the wrong color..

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

It looks like a Starcraft to me. There are a ton of Starcraft guys on this site and they would know better than me.

Everything about it looks like a Starcraft EXCEPT it doesn't have the "normal" bow piece that I've seen on the front of all the Starcrafts I've seen.

Gonna take a peek in the resto forum to see what the bows look like on others, but they usually have an odd piece right at the point of the bow that widens at the bow rail and is narrow at the bootom.

I know what I mean and I know I'm not describing it well.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

This is what I mean

Not saying it isn't a Starcraft, just that all the ones I've seen have that inverted triangle piece right at the bow.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

And it really doesn't matter. A free aluminum hull is a good deal. Take a look at the resto forum and you will see lots of guys rebuilding these. Way way easier to deal with then an old fiberglass hull.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Tackle, my guess would also be that it's not a Starcraft. Could be wrong though.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Tackle, my guess would also be that it's not a Starcraft. Could be wrong though.

So we hold off on sending him the membership info?????

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Yes. We can't just turn it into a "tin boat club" or all those uppity Lund owners will want in

 

[vintagecamping]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Thanks everyone for the info and the project support. I called the department of motor vehicles and gave them the id #'s. They said it is registered as a custom build and get this the tags are current to 2010. One less thing to worry about for a change. You guys are the pros could this be built by a small boat builder? The engine should run, finger over the spark plug holes while cranking feel good no dead holes. As if luck is on my side with this project a family friend abandoned a outboard on our property years ago I dug it out of the tall grass and guess what a free parts motor. The boats engine is a 75hp 1960 the parts engine is a 80hp 1968 the lower units look the same. I will keep everyone up to date. I have 5 active projects including a 1968 31 ft airstream trailer, a 1959 Apache truck and 2 other boats. I love new projects.

Thanks again
Marc

 

[special_kaye]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Hi Everyone

A buddy gave me this boat yesterday, It's in expected shape for a free one. The trailer was too rusty to tow so I put it on a car hauler and brought it home.The floor is shot, transome is questionable, but the hull is perfect. The engine had developed shifting problems 15 years ago and was parked and forgotten about. I have no clue as to what year it is or who built it. Anyone Have guess? I plan to restore it either way but would like to know the year. I've look for numbers but can't find any. The boat is 17ft 6.5ft wide and is rivited.
Thanks Marc
http://picasaweb.google.com/hotrodnova/BillsBoat2?feat=directlink

Clean 'er out and she'll be ready to go.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Agreed, clean her out, sand her down, and go.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Look at what I just picked up for free.

Hey Marc..... Where are you located?