Steel inner hull parts?

[reelfishin]

I looked at a small aluminum V hull today, the brand was Mirrorcraft.
To my surprise, the seat benches and deck plate were steel?
Well rusted away steel. The title said 1978.
I passed on it, but how many aluminum boats used plain steel parts inside?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

never seen one.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

Given the bi-metal corrosion that I'd think would occur, I kinda doubt any manufacturer would have put that in... maybe an after-market add-on or custom job?

Erik

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

I've seen several Mirrocraft boats now with an aluminum hull, but plain painted steel seats, all had the seats completely rusted through. I looked at another boat, not sure of the make, which had every other rib made of steel.
Years ago I had a Mirrocraft Lake Fisherman 16', it was nearly identical to the one I just saw but had all aluminum benches.
The steel benches were identical to those that were in mine, only made of steel.
The steel benches were riveted in place, just as my aluminum ones were and filled with foam.

The steel bench boat had one more bench seat and no splashwell.
I thought it a bit odd but I've seen several just lately. What I found odd was that in all my years around boats, I hadn't seen one before either.
What was even worse was that it was plain steel, not even galvanized.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

I've seen many small tinny's built with steel components inside, the steel seat braces and shrouds for the foam rust away, but the rest of the boat is still in good shape.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

The part that got me the most was that the two I looked at were still in use, and being used in rough water, without the integrity of the seats, I could just imagine how many rivets were loosened up. I could flex the hull nearly a foot just by leaning on one corner a bit. It was like a rag doll on the trailer.

I left it were it was, I have enough projects to deal with now. When I went to look I figured it may be a good beater boat for the river but after seeing how far gone it was, I passed. I also wasn't really impressed with the unsupported transom. With only a few gusset braces, which were loose, I figured it would be real mess to seal back up.
I've been in the market for a good 16' aluminum V hull but was surprised that a company would use plain steel on a boat that would no doubt see saltwater use around here. There must have been a dealer at some point selling these, but I believe Mirrocraft is no longer the same company they were back in the 70's, they no longer make any such size utility type boat.

It seems that the larger utility type boats have gone extinct?

 

[drunknmonkey]

Re: Steel inner hull parts?

I myself have a 1978 mirrorcraft the seats are steel and are rusting to dust! i am rebuilding the whole seats with a polymer plastic material that i have came across free from a truck manufacturer! I will post pictures of the before and after