Possible small boat project

[Government cheese]

My dad has had this boat for decades. He's gone now, and I'm thinking I'd like to fix it up some. I don't know much about it, but it looks like it had a windshield and at least a captain's seat. WhT I'm thinking of is trying to remove the dent from the keel, constructing a windshield, finding a seat or two, adding steering and throttle controls with a 30 hp outboard. Unless that is you all think 30 is too much. I think it would be a fun little mini speedboat.

It's been "stored" upside down on blocks behind the garage, and hasn't been registered since 2002


The transom was replaced maybe 15-20 years ago. I don't know what it's rated for, I think we may have had a 20hp on it. I'd like to find a 30 hp, but I don't know if it would hold.


Not the best view of the transom, but you can see the aluminum sandwiched between layers of plywood. Also you can see a bit of the transom brace. There are three which can be seen better in the first picture.


Here you can see marks on the bench where a seat or two were attached. In the first picture you can make out the curve where a windshield was. Absent though is any hole or marking where throttle or steering control would be.



In another thread I read about a single cable steering control. I'm going to look that up. Yes I have heard people say the best thing to do is remove parts from a donor boat, so I may look for one. Other than that, any opinions or advice on the windshield or motor?

 

[jbcurt00]

How long is your Viking?

Any idea what year?

I just picked up a similar looking fishing boat, which is about 13ft long. I think its rated for a 15/18hp.

Nice looking craft.

W no evidence of a remote throttle control and no helm/steering setup, perhaps the windshield wasnt original. Could have been used as a wind break for someone sitting at the front bench, since w out forward motor and steering controls it was a tiller steer boat. Sitting aft, I dont think the windshield would have been very beneficial.

 

[MTboatguy]

The forward portion of that boat is not original, that is an add on, this was originally a open bow aluminum utility boat, that someone modified. That is why there is no windshield, mounting pad for controls.

 

[jbcurt00]

Feathercraft made similar open fishing boats w a bow cover. That does look sort of like an add on cover, but on my cell, it isnt real clear when I blow the pix up..

 

[Government cheese]

I don't know the length h offhand. I don't think dad ever said anything about the bow cover, all I remember is that her needed money and sold the trailer. If the cover isn't original, it must have been put on before dad owned it. I've looked underneath it, and it looked like a couple of wood bows with the tin roof.

 

[MTboatguy]

Here is a link to a 12 footer that sold a while ago, Viking boats were a Canadian company

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classifi...boat_24115283?

Looks like the old front seat box is still there, also Viking was one of the only boat manufactures to use the cut out corner caps in the rear with their name embossed on them. Crestliner also made a model called the Viking, but they had the Crestliner name on them.

 

[Government cheese]

Thanks. That boat does look similar. Only thing is the plate on the transom is probably long gone. Mine is an hour away, next time I head back I'll look to see if the seats have been moved or anything.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

A few things leads me to buy the Indiana Viking

1. Look at the bow cap on the one MT posted and the bow cap from the brochure @ Fiberglassics and compare to the OP's pics





2. Though this boat would be very portable and I know boats make some weird travels, I buy the probability of a boat made in Indiana staying in the same state for decades as opposed to it making it's way there from the PNW.

I'll agree that the hood on it isn't factory but I'd wonder if it either is an extension or a replacement.

 

[MTboatguy]

The Viking boat company operated both in Canada and the US, of all of them I have seen over the years, the Canadian models were the only ones that actually had the embossed name on the corner caps in the rear. I have never seen one of the Indiana boats have the embossed corner caps.

That said, it is going to be difficult to actually ID the boat in question if there is no information on the boat itself, such as ID plate, Origin plate, etc.

I would even be suspect on what a title or registration says due to the age.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Well that blows my common sense right out of the water then, LOL

Either way some spit and polish(maybe some new wood too) it'd be a cool little tinny for fishing.