Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

[LA58]

Hello Vintage AlumaCraft owners/lovers!

I just bought a vintage "Queen of the Waters". Named her "Miss Mollie" as her call letters begin with MM and my mother's name was Mollie. As I don't have a motor for this, nor the correct trailer, can anyone give me ideas of how I should treat her? All input would be appreciated!

Looking forward to hearing from those who know.

LA58

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Congrats on the purchase. The assumption is that this is your first boat?

We don't actually believe it exists without pictures. Pictures will also help give an idea what the boat needs and where to start. Welcome to boating and welcome to iboats. Your life will never be the same, muahahahaha.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Hi LA58. Welcome to iboats. Congrats on the new toy. What year/decade is the boat? 50s, 60s, 70s? A lot of guys match period correct motors to their hulls, but she's your boat you can do whatever you like. Most folks here like vintage OMC (Johnson/Evinrude) motors from the 50s-70s for their reliability, styling and ease of maintenance. I'd say you couldn't go wrong with a 15-30 hp motor from the mid 50s-mid 70s. I run a '66 20 hp Johnson on my 14' aluminum boat and get about 20 mph. Check out fiberglassics for pics of your boat and similar models of the era.

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Could someone please let me know how I can make my pictures smaller so this will accept it to add? The boat exists----for those who seem to doubt me.

Thanks. Lori

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=7af6c233aa&view=att&th=137d01a43f59a8e0&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=f_h38cn8js0&zw

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Welcome to the forum, LA58. Look at this for how to post pictures:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=533219

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Oops, messed up somehow, see next post.....

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

...

We don't actually believe it exists without pictures...

By the way, they're just kidding you!

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Could someone please let me know how I can make my pictures smaller so this will accept it to add? The boat exists----for those who seem to doubt me.

Thanks. Lori

I was indeed joking. If you are using Windows the easiest way to make a picture smaller is to Right Click on it --> send to --> mail recipient. It will ask if you want to resize the photos, go ahead and do that. When the email application opens just highlight the attachments and drag them back to your desktop and you'll have resized pictures.

If you google "Windows Image Resizer" you can also download the powertool that will allow you to just right click on an image and say "resize" which is nice. If you work on forums alot, I suggest you do it this way. It's a whole lot less annoying.

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'



Miss Mollie AlumaCraft Deep C

From other AlumaCraft photos I have seen, this may be a 50's model. Bought it from a friend who bought it from an older gentleman who had stored it for decades. I paid only $150. for the boat and trailer. Someone said scrap prices would exceed $400 but I will not scrap a boat that is in near perfect condition! Miss Mollie needs to be in the water where she belongs. She does not have any leaks what-so-ever. How's this for a deal of a lifetime?

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

With no further info and just looking at the picture, probably a 25-30hp would be ideal. Looks like a fun boat. Any leaks? What's wrong with the trailer?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Great looking little boat. I think it's probably a late 50's-early 60's model. Once of these would look sweet hanging off the back. The one in the pic is a 30 hp, but the 18-20 hp of the same era are also very nice. Any of the old 22 cu. in. motors, or Big Twins are great motors.

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

No leaks. The trailer is not the right one for this boat, but for now it works. I need V shaped rollers as this one has the I--I shaped ones. How difficult would it be to change out rollers? When I brought her home yesterday, she wobbled and I drove 35 as I could see her moving from side to side with the wind! Scary position to be in!

As the original bottom non-slip coating is worn off, should I re-coat it? What should I use?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Hello again LA. Changing rollers is an easy DIY job, however the swaying back and forth is certainly not good. Make sure that the boat is only resting on the bunks (wooden supports) of the trailer while underway. It should definitely not be resting on the rollers while underway. The boat should also be secured at the bow (front) with both the trailer wench line as well as a safety chain, should the line fail, connected to the bow eye. You'll also want to add some form of tie down for the transom (rear of the boat). I use a small ratchet strap on each of the rear corners of my boat, but other folks will use one large strap, sort of like a large bow. If it sill wobbles and weaves its way down the road, then you may have an issue with the trailer. It may be a simple as a flat tire, or you may need to replace the bearings (Also a fairly easy DIY job).
As for the bottom, and interior of the boat there are a couple different products you can use. The interior seams can be sealed up painting on a 2-part epoxy called Gluv-it. The exterior/bottom of the hull can be sealed with a product called Steelflex. If you do use Gluv-it on the interior seams, it will need some sort of UV protection in the form of either a deck, or by painting over it. However, I would avoid using bedliner type products on the interior. Most folks regret it as it tends to trap dirt as well as making any future repair to the rivets more difficult.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

I have an older model tinny also. You will be happy with that boat when you hit wakes and why I prefer a closed bow on boats that size. You wont be pulling skiers but a 35 to 40 hp max should plane out easy with 2 adults. An excellent buy.When you hit the big wakes that some 25 foot cabin cruiser makes you can cut right through them like the TIMEBANDIT on tv does in 35 foot arctic storms....

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Thank you very much for your input. Now I just have to figure out how I can make adjustments, or built new rear bunks. Right now this boat is sitting only on the front bunks. Rollers were holding the rest up. That is why it moved about. Good thing I drove back roads yesterday! It will take some time to get things right, but well worth the effort.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

No leaks. The trailer is not the right one for this boat, but for now it works. I need V shaped rollers as this one has the I--I shaped ones. How difficult would it be to change out rollers? When I brought her home yesterday, she wobbled and I drove 35 as I could see her moving from side to side with the wind! Scary position to be in!

As the original bottom non-slip coating is worn off, should I re-coat it? What should I use?

Your trailer looks fine from what we can see. Not sure what an I--I roller is, you need to show us some pics. If it's what I think you mean, its just fine, so long as they turn. In fact a "spool type" roller is ideal for a tinny with an extruded keel. V rollers are OK, but for your type of boat not necessary.

The boat should rest all of its weight on the keel rollers. The side bunks at the stern are only for side support so it doesn't tip. ALL rollers should be in contact with the hull when its on the trailer.

Your trailer may be misadjusted, or you might be seeing bouncing because there is no motor on it. A light load way below the trailer's capacity is sure to bounce a bit.

If the non-slip coating you're referring to is inside, if you want to fix it buy some flat exterior deck enamel and add some sand to it and pint it yourself. Its just appearance, not really necessary.

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Yes, the rollers I described as I--I must be actually "spool" rollers. There are many boating terms I need to learn! Securing the boat with additional straps is great advice. After thinking about it, perhaps I will not coat the inside of the boat. It seems to be cosmetic in nature and not actually necessary.

Last night I removed the aged and splitting wood on the outside of the back, where the motor would rest against. Found some plywood in the shed and traced and cut a replacement. The plywood is the old, really thick layered wood. Stained this with Fruitwood stain as the previous wood appeared slightly red. Today I will coat it with Spar Varnish and seal up the edges with additional coats.

The original piece of wood which runs across the width of the inside of the back of the boat, is rotten. Hopefully it won't be much work to remove the top railing and make a new one of those as well. I will make another and prep it as well. Hopefully the original metal ID tags will come off easily.

Wasn't it nice that my sons gave me a table saw for Mother's Day last year? Instead of making furniture, I'm now making boat parts!

 

[duke33]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

Sounds to me like you've got the bug. lol. Congrats on your new ladyfriend, and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[LA58]

Re: Vintage AlumaCraft "Queen of the Waters" 15'

OK folks, the bug has bit me. Since I found out my Deep C 15' is a 1958 boat, I have jumped in and bought a 50's Johnson 10 hp (green one) motor for $200. Sent my old 35 Evinrude Lark in for repairs. Found out it's a 1959 motor. I had paid $100 for it years ago and let it sit in the garage. $300 in repairs later, it's cranking out the power.

Now I learn that Miss Mollie could tolerate up to a 60 hp motor....Yikes! But, I won't go that heavy as I want to see over the front without standing up while holding onto the steering wheel.

I found a hidden lever under the trailer which raised the rear bunks up to my boat. Nice find. The trailer is marker USA Mercer. Tube tongue which is giving me problems attaching a tongue stand at this point. Try to find a stand for tube trailers now. Getting frustrated searching but may have found a way to drill two extra holes and use heavy duty muffler clamps to attach it. Just need time.

The original oars with oar locks came with her. Sanded down those light, worn 7' lengths of wood. After conditioning the wood, stained them red mahogany and sealed them with Spar Varnish. They live again! The transom wood has been replaced, stained and varnished now. Also made some bench cushions to cover up the holes (yes, I sealed them first) in the bench seats. They are comfortable for fishing, for the time being.

So many little things to do, so little time to do them right. Now waiting on the male fuel part and a few other small items to come. It's all looking like fun.

Thanks to all who have helped me with my "Miss Mollie".