New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

[Nehoc]

So this past weekend, I'm float tubing with my father in Lake Mendocino doing a little bass fishing. We're talking about his new ocean boat that he just bought (new to him, it's a 1984 20' Bayliner Trophy with a Penta motor). As we're discussing how his new Trophy is going to be quite a bit more comfortable for the deep ocean fishing he's been doing the past few years, the fate of his 71 AristoCraft 19 came up.

Pop started out asking me if I'd help him sell it. We started talking about the 19, about what it needs and what it already has, and where we might be able to sell it. We fish for about 15 more minutes, then he turns to me and says "you know, you should buy the 19 from me, I'll make you a great deal!". I only had to think about it for about a minute before I said "Ok, you know I'll buy it, but I have to talk to the wife." We leave it at that and kept on fishing.

Later that night I'm driving home with my wife and kids, and I bring up to the missus that Pop wants us to buy his boat. No sooner do I finish my sentence when she says "absolutely, I love that boat!". Allright! We've got a boat!

The next morning, my dad calls me early.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Mary about the boat?" Pop says.

"Yup, and I think we're going to buy your boat!" I say.

"No, you're not, I'm not going to sell it to you." he says.

Thinking there is something wrong with the boat or maybe he was worried about his grandkids being in the boat, I do my best to be a good sport, and just say "Ok Pop, I understand. Do you still want me to sell it for you?".

"Nope, I'm giving you the 19!"

We were floored. SO, we've now inherited my dad's AristoCraft. It's the 19 with the 165 hp Mercruiser motor, and is 100% bone stock EXCEPT for the navigation lights on the bow and the addition of some lousy ablative paint by the original owner years and years ago. Pop has put a ton of work and time into getting the boat to be a safe and capable light ocean fisher, and I intend to use it extensively in the San Francisco Bay.

There may not be a whole lot of these bad boys out there, but I have to say, you can't deny the appeal these boats have as soon as someone sees one.

Nehoc

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

congratulations on your inheritance. sounds like ya got a sweet nineteen. so what color did you get? hope ya'll post up some pics of it....

There may not be a whole lot of these bad boys out there,

think i'm going on my second year with mine. i've not seen another in my area.... i've heard of a couple in mich. and a couple in florida.... there's a few i think. but few and far in between.....

, you can't deny the appeal these boats have as soon as someone sees one.

man, all ya can say to the is, yep. for sure even... had mine out to lewis and clark lake last weekend. just got back. had 4 folks approach me and and lick their chops over my boat in three days.... once ya got a sliding hardtop. i don't know what the next boat would be.......

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

I'll post some pictures this weekend, but it's the "Gold" color. The original seats are in decent shape, and the rest of the boat is in good shape besides the lousy paint job on the hull. The faux panelling on the side panels is pretty torn up, so I'll most likely pull the panels, strip and sand them, then paint it with some sort of high gloss sea safe urethane that will wipe down easy, in a matching color.

I'll have to strip the hull paint and take a good look at the gel coat and decide which direction to go. If the gel coat is sound I'll probably try polishing it up, but if it's crazed or has any dings, I'll most likely fill any blemishes and then go with a Uraglow paint job. The deck itself is in good shape, and the only trim I know that needs some serious help is the bump rail along the outside. A little bit fixed at a time I guess, and we'll be in good shape.

Looking forward to putting up some photos on Sunday!

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

so I'll most likely pull the panels,

hum, maybe a difference between my 75 and yer 71... i got the feeling that my faux panaling (wood grain contact paper in my case) was just stickered to the inner hull lineing. in other words. i don't think i've got any removable paneling. maybe i should look closer, but i don't think so. cool that yer interior is in good shape. i hear that's most important in value of our old nineteens. mines only fair. i can see it going in a year or two. no idea what i'm gonna do about it when that occurs. good luck with yer paint issue. is it bottom paint for salt water? lookin fwd. to yer pics. get one of the dash if ya can. my dash is too cool i think. i've seen quite a few different gage packages with these boats. other minor differences too. one cat. think he had a 78, he has these hip grab handles on his sliding hardtop. look real cool + funtional. first thing ya do when entering the boat from the dock is look for somewhere to support yerself when entering. grab handls... nice shiny chrome ones too. nice touch aristocrat. i don't have those on my 75. oh well.... can't have everything i guess......

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Ok, I didn't get any pictures this weekend because I was too busy scrubbing the boat and planning restoration projects. Turns out the boats been treated pretty roughly over the past two fishing seasons, so the interior is in much worse shape than it was before. It's also a 1970, although the motor is the 165 mercruiser.

I got the majority of the boat interior hosed out, but I've got to get some more elbow grease on the whole thing to get it to a good starting point. Luckily, my dad is better with engine maintenance than he is with the interior, so the motor and outdrive are still strong, starting right up with no hesitation after being stored for the winter and running through the RPM's with no faults or missing.

Short list of stuff I've got to fix:

Seats are now cracked and torn on the corners, and the port side lounge needs to be resecured to it's frame. As much as I'd like to keep the original AristoCraft seats, I think I may have to replace them completely.

All of the faux wood will have to be peeled off and the surfaces repainted. The trim on the seats in the back is actually pretty decent, but all of the screws will need to be replaced. Actually, that's a continuing theme on the boat. Pretty much every weather exposed screw needs to be replaced, which should keep my busy for awhile. I'll also need to replace the carpet and repair the hinge on the ice chest up front, and get new molding for the bottom of the engine cover.

There is some wiring work that needs to be done as well, but nothing too huge. I'll most likely put in an isolator and switch for the twin batteries that it's running now, and a new gang panel for all the house power items. Besides that, there are quite a few taped wiring fixes that I'll replace with solder and shrink tubes since I'm OCD about wiring anyways.

The deck has quite a bit more crazing than it had before, but I may be able to fill the majority and just repaint the deck from scratch. I also need to repair and remount some of the dock cleats, and remount the radio and antennae in different locations. I'll also need a new rub rail, although the one it has is decent. Just dented and cut in a few places, which is good because the hull beneath it is in perfect shape. Looks like the rub rail was doing it's job just fine.

The hull has a few scuffs and a couple badly patched chips now, not to mention the ablative paint on the bottom. Still not sure what I'm going to do there, but the hull is solid although ugly. I'm thinking that will be the last thing to repair.

The good news is the top and all five pieces of plexi-glass are solid (the center slider was replaced a few years ago, so it's not coke bottle green, but it really doesn't stand out that much and it's normally down anyways), the engine fires right up and runs great, the boat is watertight and floats well, and the foam in the hull has never gotten wet and is still in great shape. SO, I've got the perfect project boat. All of the repair items are cosmetic things that once fixed make a HUGE impact on the visual appeal of the boat, as opposed to having to rebuild a motor and still having a beat up boat to tackle after dumping a ton of money into the mechanicals.

Not sure when I'll get pictures posted, most likely not until I get the boat out of my driveway and start fixing items.

Now a couple of questions:

Does anyone know if the AristoCraft rep still checks this forum? Also, has anyone bought from him? I'd like to see if I can get some of the original parts from him, instead of replacing with aftermarket or building from scratch. For example, the rear armrests are cut in a few places. I would rather replace them with new than have to try and repair them, although that would be doable as well. Just more working with spray glue and vinyl sheeting than I'd like to do, I think.

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Does anyone know if the AristoCraft rep still checks this forum?

don't know. but think he left his email address and maybe phone on one of his posts. or...

http://www.aristocraftboats.com/contact.html

i've got some parts from them. blower, center coke bottle green panel. seems like a couple other parts. can't remember what they were.. ya just have to ask them to see what they got. parts availablity seems limited... i know my lime green carpet, lime green upholstery is nla for sure. don't know about the gold....

cool that what ya have to do is all cosmetic.... sounds like ya should have a winner pretty darn soon.
for yer 165. have ya got yer oem service manual for it yet? now's the hour... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571
you'll be needing #1..... still look fwd to yer pics... when ya got some....

wondering, where'd ya put the second batt. ? i only have one. with no provisions (location) for a second.....

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Hey there Ziggy,

The second battery is right next to the first, under the starboard aft seat. There is actually a lead that runs from the second battery up to the dash, which has been disconnected. I'm thinking that used to have the original house fuse block. I'm fairly certain that most of the wiring I'm going to put back was once in the boat, but was ripped out as things failed.

I'll call the guy up and see what he's got in stock. One thing I'd really love to get is the mooring cover. This boat came with one when my dad bought it from the prior owner, but it was shredded and trashed. However, the boat still has all of the snaps for a cover, but making one is WAY beyond my general ability.

Thanks for the link for the manual. I'm definitely going to need one before long.

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

The second battery is right next to the first, under the starboard aft seat.

ahhh, that would be the only place i'd have thought ya could find a home for it, but wondered how yers was set up. thanks for the info.

There is actually a lead that runs from the second battery up to the dash, which has been disconnected. I'm thinking that used to have the original house fuse block.

ya'd have to ask aristocraft. but i'm thinking yer second batt. is an add on. unless ya have a batt. size recess in the inner hull liner (my 75 has only one recess for a batt.). my batt. is in the same place, just twd. the engine under the seat. but under the aft starboard seat, i use for storage. i also don't have any fuse block. my boat came to me in a pretty unmodified condition. so i'm thinking that these nineteens came w/o a fuse block. i haven't looked real close behind the dash as it's a pretty tight squeeze to get all the wiring in behind it. but i'd guess i've got inline fuses if any at all. the wiring dia. don't show any fuses. i've thought about a 2nd batt. but probably won't. i run a cd player and vhf as my only non switched acc.'s i do run in some remote places once in a while and a 2nd batt. would be a good feeling i'm sure for back up.... if ya opt for 1 batt. ya can use the old cable as a pull wire... it's pretty hard to run anything through the conduit going from the backseat aft to come out inside the engine compartment. and that's the only route ya can go is through the conduit to be clean about running the wires...
i've never seen the mooring cover for our boats but understand there was one available at the time. bet ya could take yer shredded one to an upholstrey place and they could make one for ya.... copy yer shredded one, maybe. if your talking about the cover that snaps over the back. from the hardtop to the rear deck. i do have one of those. i could measure it if it would help ya out.....
man, yer gonna have fun... these boats are the cats meow....... hope all goes well for ya. anything i can do to help out. let me know..... got me a bunch of pics of mine and can take any pic ya need to see how it was from square one as my only mods are the cd, vhf, and a 12v power supply i put in the dash. oh, and i put me an aftermarket 6 gang fuse block in mine too. under the dash, out of sight, out of mind. all aftermarket acc. now have their own deticated circut. now that i think about it. my horn is probably an afterthought too. when i got it, it was engineered into the dash wireing... now it is on the fuse block and has it's own happy home too...... have fun...

 

[Day Dreamer]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Hi Guys,

How ya doin Zig? Welcome aboard Nehoc. The 19 is a great ship and a lot of fun to own. Very few can pass up staring at it when they see it. Had ours out on Lake George in Florida this past weekend. We were out making a run and came across a gaggle of boats coming in the opposite direction. What did we see in the caboose position, but a 19 just like ours.

It's the only other one that I've seen and the kids went crazy. We turned around and caught up with them and we all stopped on the lake and talked boats.

What a great afternoon!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to AristoCraft and meet Bill (Claudes son) and he was very gracious is spending all the time that I wanted to talk about the boats and their history. It was a wonderful day!


Take Care and welcome aboard!

Chuck
Tampa, FL
1980 AristoCraft 19

 

[aristocraft]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Hey there everyone.
Yes we are still around, but unfortunatly do not get around to checking all the forums all the time. but please feel free to contact us at anytime with parts or help you may need. visit the website at www.aristocraftboats.com for all the contact info.
glad you had a good visit chuck, sorry i could not be there to meet you as well. You can still order the vinyl wood paneling online at some places if you search for it. had a few customers use it with good results. if you do not like it anymore, you could put carpet on the sides, that is what was done in the late model boats, looks great. attached are some pictures showing the carpeted sides. once again sorry i cannot check here more often but please pass our website along to anyone who needs help.
Happy trails.
Scott Turner

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Thanks for all the welcomes and info guys. I'm looking forward to this project.

Ziggy, there is a photo I'd love to have. Specifically, a photo of the bow nav light. Ours has been replaced with an off the shelf navlight, but the chrome top is still there and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't kill me to make a new navlight that fills the space under the top better than the little light that's there.

Good tip about the carpet on the panels Aristocraft. That will most likely be the route I take when I recarpet the boat.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

here ya go nehoc....

these were a couple i had on hand.... if ya want a close up let me know and i'll go snap one off for ya....

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

thanks for those Ziggy. My housing and bow are a little different, so it looks like they had a design change from 1970 to 1975. Interesting to see the differences though.

Thanks again!

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

bummer that didn't help ya out.... i'd be interested in seeing the difference too.... it seems that there are many minor differences between the years. i've seen more than this so far... the coolest to me so far is the grab handles on day dreamers (i think it was his boat) boat mounted on the back of the hardtop....

i had to replace my stern light. it was a perko. most of the perifials, cleats, nav. lights etc. seem to be perko on my 75... i must say, when i replaced my rear nav. light that perko had no idea what i was wanting even with a pic i sent them with the word perko visible in the pic.... they pretty much told me to punt to make what i wanted to have happen, happen.... hope ya have better luck with the bow light......

 

[aristocraft]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Hey there, yes earlier models used a differant bow light assembly. It was a flat plate across the top that holds two flat lenses. Whomever is looking for them give me a call at the shop and i will help you out with that. number is on our website. my name is scott.
Ziggy, the handles on the back of the hardtop are not factory, that would be something someone added.... and i still LOVE your boat.

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

the handles on the back of the hardtop are not factory, that would be something someone added.

oh. learn something new everyday. musta been a good day.... not a bad idea for an add on though. first thing off the dock and into yer boat yer lookin for something to grab... his extra grab handles looked just right.... i usually just support myself on the hardtop...

and i still LOVE your boat.

thanks man.... it sure has been treating me well this season so far.... found a new use for it over the 4th...... camping.... man these nineteens sure do sleep nice.....mighty comfy lounges/bed when the seats are folded out... got rained on too... had the back cover up for full encloser..... i did get wet, a little. only at the point where the top snaps on though. and most of that was because i was beached and had my bow high... when on the water, it was just a few drips..... very stylish boats aristocraft..... ya folks at the factory sure put some insight into them... good job....

 

[aristocraft]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

yea, a family member has similar handles on their 19 as well. And you are right, the lounge seats are not to bad. As to the aft curtain, i have been in the bahamas in a 19, in a bad storm, had it all buttoned up, taking waves over the bow, rolling up and over the top then down the aft curtain. we were only getting a little water in at the snap line. It did a GREAT job in the storm. we are just about to have some new aft curtains remade for those whose have shrunk or just gone the way of the dodo. the are great little covers.

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but after a few months of waiting for the shop to get the parts I needed (shifter cables all had to be replaced, and I had the carb completely rebuilt and repainted) I finally have the 9teen in my boat driveway here at home.

Because the mechanicals are now completely rebuilt or replaced, I'm going to start in on the cosmetics for this boat. The sad thing is because this boat was used of the Northern California coast for salmon and bottom fishing, I'm spending a large portion of my time removing and replacing the hardware. I'll have some pictures up soon, but right now I'm doing clean up and damage control.

I was hoping someone would have an angle on some replacement cleats. the two rear cleats have been used for years to hold the boat down on the trailer, and unfortunately they're both bent and cracked beyond repair. Has anyone replaced them?

I'm going to contact Scott directly with a list of parts I'd like to replace, but if anyone has any tips on replacement parts that are similiar to OEM I'm all ears.

I've got some work to do on this boat, but man I can't tell you all how stoked I am to have it home at last.

 

[ziggy]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

glad ya resurrected yer thread.
glad yer having success on your repairs. what have ya got done so far?
as for the cleats. i think there perko. http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/index.php?cPath=26_165 the 1306 or 1316 look exactly like what i have on mine. can't remember if mine have exposed screws or not. i'll go look and edit later today for ya.... i think i have the 1306 w/o looking...

for sure post up some pics. love these nineteens...



edit....

yep, perko

ya can read perko on this pic.... must be the 1306. exposed screws....

2nd edit...

just reread this post. forgot yers was a 70. i suppose the cleats could be different than on my 75, like the bow light was.... don't know. scott will though....

 

[Nehoc]

Re: New AristoCraft 19 Owner Checking In

Ok, so I snapped some photos really quickly this morning. As you can see, I've got quite a bit of work to do. This boat has been used and used hard as a coastal fishing boat. I'm not sure if y'all are familiar with the kind of coast we have up here in Northern California, but it's not at all like what you see in the Southern California surfer movies.

Here is the top shot of the cleat:

Here is a side shot:

Here is a shot of where the cleat mounts. It's filthy, but I just pulled it off late last night. I haven't even started cleaning yet:

Here is a photo of the bowlight, with the little off the shelf bowlight that was put in as a quick fix:

Here is a front view of the boat:

And a rear view:

As you can see, lots to pull off and repair. I'm sad to say the crazing and cracking on the deck are most likely not repairable, but I may be able to fill the cracks so that they're not as visible. Haven't decided yet.