Pictures of my Alumacraft

[BLLDOGG]

It's a 14ft Alumacraft

If I had to guess by the only number i can find, A188 on the transom support, it was made janurary 1, 1988. I really don't know what year or model it is but here it is untouched yet by myself...

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

BLLDOGG,

It looks good. Some boats like yours are a lot more messed with. Which is bad. I can't tell you what to do, but I would recommend that you try to keep it as original as possible. It's good that it is not painted or converted to be something not originally intended for. Like cutting and drilling it up, adding livewell, platforms, pedestal seats and other clutter. For now I say, leave it as is, it will always be more desirable and worth more in the years to come that way.

But if I were to work on it I would rework the wood on the transom. Looks like the inside wood is three pieces? It should be one piece and not so large, same for the other side. If it's easy to do, find out why. Hopefully not to cover damage. Maybe someone just did it that way when the original wood was replaced thinking that's better, which was unnecessary. I would try to make as it originally was or just leave it and enjoy it. It depends, it could be a big project just to do that. Keeping or making things like original is best. You have a very good solid boat, because it's a AlumaCraft and it's a utility boat, the most versatile boat made. The most important thing is that you use it a lot!

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

[colour=black]I'm kind of afraid to take it off. is there glue you think or just those bolts? This is my first boat so I have no clue what I will find :\[/colour]

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

I should add that your boat is my favorite style of boat. Plus it is narrow with a round soft chine. You will be amazed by the performance and what you can do with a boat like yours and where you can use it. The stability is hardly noticeable being narrow compared to a wider boat but cornering and a smooth ride are greatly improved, plus with the round chine. Your boat will track very solid and is also great for back trolling, because it doesn't fight the water like a wider boat, or a boat with a square hard chine. The same for going into large waves or being hit from the side by them, the boat responds fast and you stay dry. I could go on, but you will find out for yourself.

Also the boat has that desirable bow seat and the bench seats are open underneath. Some boat builders will build their seats to the floor for boat strength, which is not needed with the AlumaCraft. Being open makes for a lot of room and for your feet, the boat isn't divided into compartments.

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

Got emailed back from Sue at Alumacraft.

She said it is a Model A made in 1947. She said they were made from 1947 to 1987 and 26003 were made.

I have a pretty old bird d

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

My guess and it would have been just a guess is that your boat would be much newer than a 1947. A congratulations is due to have such a boat. It would be rare and a good find to acquire a vintage boat of the first year produced.

The early boats had air sealed seats for flotation. Years later styrofoam was used inside for flotation. Other changes were subtle through the years. It's only what I see, I'm not knowledgeable about the particulars.

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

personally, according to their own website, they didn't make 14ft boats until like 54' and im pretty sure the seats are open on the sides but it is registered as a 45', which i will update and I'm just happy to have an answer. I don't think I can get any closer to what it really is so I am happy i guess

its definatly old and the trailer i have with it i was informed is probably a 40s or 50s.

anyways...since Sue has spoken, I will consider it true and take it as a rare bird 8)

I just can't wait to get it in the water as my first boat and see what leaks...lol

you mentioned before that the transom was too big.

I tried searching but to be honest, the search function on this site sucks and stopped before i found anythign for non fiberglass boats. do you know of a useful topic off the top of you head on how to fix this and any other useful info i may need like is it glued on as well, is it a two piece, piece of wood? stuff like that

as always, if you have any more knowledge, I'm all ears

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

I don't know for sure what your original wood would have looked like. If you want to do the project take your time and keep looking at the old boats to get an idea of what it would have been. I sometimes see them on e-bay if you keep checking. Search Alumacraft. Also look here at VintageAlumacraft's boat in Show Yer Alumacraft. Your wood would be like that. He also had the Vintage Alumacraft website. It had a wealth of information and pictures. Just keep looking. It gets to be an addictive appreciation for these boats.

I know the search feature here isn't what it used to be. A lot of information is there, but so hard to find! They say they are working on it.

If you take your wood off you might see a shadow of where the original pattern was. I know it was one piece on the front and on the back side of the transom. Plywood on the back. It also was glued or bonded on and also screwed on. It looks like your wood that's on there now is also glued on? Then you would have to plug or fill those extra holes someone put in. That's why it could be a big project for what it is. Also the aluminum strip on top of the transom doesn't look original, but it should be ok as is.

I posted some info about the boat trailer, on the Trailers and Towing forum. Hope it helps.

 

[Mictn42]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

I have a boat that looks alot like this boat i have only just gotten the boat and am working on it daily. Isuppose i should have come here before i started working on mine to get some knowledge first...

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

Here ya go, welded up the holes and mounted a new mohagany composit transom.

Some people have way to much time on their hands waiting on springtime......

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

Nice work! And if it could only be so easy..... but you welded shut the original transom drain opening.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

Au contraire mon ami, just not silicone snotted in, like the original.

 

[DallasLoanGuy]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

if that were my boat... i would install some of that roll on... Herculiner Bedliner.

you can accent the seating area with wood to ofset all the black.

i saw a boat like that.... looked sharp. added less than 10 pounds of weight.

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

I have a spray in bedliner at my work, dealership, I have poundered spraying it but would like to keep to close to original.

 

[Jung4g]

Re: Pictures of my Alumacraft

I'm new to the site to I'm bringing this back to the top.

Cool boat. That would be very cool to have a 47 Model A and within the first 200!

I've got number 15,171 which puts it in 1961.

Instead of leaving it original like most of you like to do. I went ahead and painted mine since it had be under water (as far as it'll go since they won't sink) for quite a while when we found it. No one claimed it for 5 years and the DNR couldn't find an owner attached to it. The paint cleans up the look nicely and being a well dented (obviously very used) boat, I wasn't too worry about antique value. I prefer a good looking boat to be used over something that's worth a bit more.

The paint is drying as I type, so the next project is to figure out the transom fix as that was all worthless. Apparently this isn't as easy to find as I thought so I'll have to wing it...