Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Old boats


hamms-scooter

Recommended Posts

I love seeing all the new kinds of boats out there but there is something about seeing the old lunds,alumacrafts,starcrafts and so on out on the water. I love old boats and I used to run a 1956 alumacraft now have a 1970 16' starcraft I have a 15hp i got from a buddys dad for doing some work.I love that motor although i wish it was a 25hp.I just look at it as a way onto the water whatever you run. I am looking to paint it camo because it is kind of a faded green color now. Do any of you guys that run camo (duck/fishing boats) have any pics to share for some ideas for what kind of a pattern I should do. Also what is a good cheap paint?

any old boat pics would be cool too i love seeing plain old rigs! thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 120
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • hamms-scooter

    41

  • jwmiller33

    15

  • fishinfey8

    6

  • Far-I

    6

If you can get access to a gravity sprayer that would be the ticket. If you don't go too cheap on paint, you should only have to paint it once. I took and sanded mine down to bare alum. then started from scratch. Here's a couple pics of the process...

Picture016.jpg

Picture015.jpg

boatpics.jpg

DSCF0150.jpg

Picture003.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love'em too. I sold my old 14' Alumacraft to a cousin years ago and regret that decision. Last spring I bought a 1970s 12' Starcraft that was painted baby blue and white. I really like the old paint jobs, no matter how faded. On these boats, the less horsepower the better. I've got a 1963 5hp Seahorse on it and enjoy putting around the bay.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a nice job! I love that thing! Nice deck and floor! Amazing how much room you can make taking out one bench! Nice paint job as well! Looks like a mint walleye fishing rig now love it! What size is it? and what hp? think it will fit perfect in my little garage!jk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love'em too. I sold my old 14' Alumacraft to a cousin years ago and regret that decision. Last spring I bought a 1970s 12' Starcraft that was painted baby blue and white. I really like the old paint jobs, no matter how faded. On these boats, the less horsepower the better. I've got a 1963 5hp Seahorse on it and enjoy putting around the bay.

I really wish i had either a 14' boat or a 25hp for mine! I love my motor so i would have to say i would want a 14' boat. mine does push my 16' up to 19 mph on the h20 gps! 14' would be better

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing I learned from painting my duck boat is that if you want the paint to stay on aluminum, CHEAP isn't in your vocabulary. I think I paid around $80-$100 just for the two part aluminum epoxy primer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is the project I'm working on currently. The only thing I know for sure is that it is a RichCraft boat. I paid an old farmer $75 and recovered it from his shelterbelt. I have currently removed the floor and started stripping some of the old paint. it's kind of unique with the center mounted steering wheel, I thought.

IMG_1502.jpg

IMG_1504.jpg

IMG_1507.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love seeing the old boats. They've always got so much more character than a fancy new glass boat etc. That forward center console design is very interesting. Keep us posted on the project!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks! Its just a 14ft. lund with a 15hp evinrude. I too wish that I had a 25, but that 15 trolls down to a perfect speed. And, I'm not a speed freak like some...might be for sale this spring. I'm going to proabably do one of the dumbest/but best things a guy could do; sell the boat and buy the ring. I would bet that it wouldn't be more than 6 months of me being boatless before I would buy another fixer-uper. Except, it would be a 16ft. lund with a 35hp motor just b/c I would like to have the extra stability for my passengers sake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I inherited a 1959 Pipestone Chief last year. It hasnt been in the water since the late 60s. It kinda looks like a 57 chevy with its tailfins. It is Salmon and black in color(originally) More like pink and black now with the oxidation that has occurred over the years on the gelcoat.

My wife thinks its uglier than heck, but that makes me like it even more.

Cant wait for the day when she says : Honey, take me for a spin" hehehe

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks! Its just a 14ft. lund with a 15hp evinrude. I too wish that I had a 25, but that 15 trolls down to a perfect speed. And, I'm not a speed freak like some...might be for sale this spring. I'm going to proabably do one of the dumbest/but best things a guy could do; sell the boat and buy the ring. I would bet that it wouldn't be more than 6 months of me being boatless before I would buy another fixer-uper. Except, it would be a 16ft. lund with a 35hp motor just b/c I would like to have the extra stability for my passengers sake.

I love that boat! Simple is what im into! I also like that my 15 hp johnson will troll down to nothing and keep idle... I think you would miss that nice rig of yours but you can always find another project.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow thanks for starting this thread, you guys do some nice work! I have been looking for a "starter" boat just go fishing in..as I've never owned one or (family) never owned one when I was a kid, and you guys are giving me some good ideas. Im like you hamms-scooter I just want something simple that you can put into the water and just go troll walleyes in or cast slip bobbers for panfish or if you put a nice high floor in like fishinfey8 did with that 14' do some bow fishing off it.

Fishinfey if you do put the boat up for sale I might be interested...I am just wondering if that is just storage or a live-well in the front?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fishinfey8: You must be serious about her. There's nothing that a lady loves more than knowing you gave up something special to you (boat/fishing) in order to be with her. Nice move. You'll get the boat back some day, and she'll hopefully understand why it's important.

Bluegill 1510: I was in your shoes about 10 years ago. I was in my mid 20s, didn't know a thing, drove past a 14ft boat on a trailer. $300 later I owned a boat, and then paid a friend $100 for an old 5hp motor. That worked great and I learned a lot about boating. Being so small it was easy to work with that boat and learn without fear of damaging something pricey. Eventually I graduated up to a mid-80s 16ft Fisher with a 25hp motor (eventually 35hp). Again, I learned a ton more about boating, got more wise, and made my mistakes on a boat that cost more $2000 but still didn't cause me to cry when I did something stupid - which we all do. Last year I sold it and finally got my dream boats: a new 16ft Alumacraft with a 90hp and a 12ft 1970s Starcraft with the same old 5hp motor.

Whatever you do, enjoy the ride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would still like to see some more pics. I am wondering what you need to do to prep the boat and if its easier to brush paint in the camo design.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Skunked...thanks for the story and advice. That is my way of thinking as well, is just get something basic that I can get out in and learn more about boating. In college I stayed at a resort on a lake and the resort owner let us use his boat and motors for free just had to pay for the gas, and I learned alot during those years. One thing thats nice about a small boat is you can get into those small "off the road" type of lakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly. You can also get them off and on the trailer much easier. It's all a process of learning. It's kind of like getting a beater car when you're 16 versus starting off driving a Lexus (insert expensive car of your choice).

The smaller the boat, the less money you need to spend on it in maintenance too! The old adage about a boat being a big hole where all of your money goes is correct.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Neighbor has an alumacraft with nice Trailer and 9.9 hp johnson for 600 bucks. Think the boat is a 14' deep v. Thinkin about trying to get it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My kids do a lot of fishing out of a 14-foot Alumacraft with either our 5-1/2 (1956) or 6 HP Johnson motors. It is painted camouflage for duck hunting in an old military pattern, like puzzle pieces, in the specific military camo colors. It looks really cool and the paint job has lasted about 35 years.

Consider saving those old boats for kid-starters. They need less intimidating sized outboards.

I also own a 1957 14-foot Naden, an extremely well constructed boat (even thicker metal than Lund’s). Back then, they were made in Ames Iowa, not Canada. To me, it’s a classic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a 1968 Alumacraft FD 14' with a 65 Johhny 6 HP on the back. I built a small hinged casting deck on the front and added carpet to the seats. purchase price, rebuild on the trailer and outboard and I think I'm still under $1000. I go out 2-3 times a week in it. I love my little "Sea Monkey"

BTW, the old Johhny starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull.

here it is the day I bought it.

IMG_1404.jpg

a scrap chunk of plywood, some cheap hinges and a $9 I/O rug from menards and I had lockable storage

IMG_1463.jpg

IMG_1462.jpg

it isnt fancy, doesnt go very fast, but its mine and its paid for.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great idea! Nice old boat! I love the fact that she is paid for! You don't have to look out in the winter and think of it as just a payment. I LOVE OLD BOATS!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a 1956 Crestliner that I owned a while back. I did some interior work, added a front deck, and built the trailer that it's sitting on. Those old crestliners were built like tanks, and almost as heavy as one!

Seafood1989_800_2.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great idea! Nice old boat! I love the fact that she is paid for! You don't have to look out in the winter and think of it as just a payment. I LOVE OLD BOATS!
I also forgot to mention she only needs about a foot of water to get through. I cant count how many times I have walked the Sea Monkey through a half dried up channel to get to a good spot
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shizzy you are right on the money there! I can bring my boat in a local river and I can put the oar's in the oar locks and float the river and flyfish off the deck if I want. Or, I can get through very shallow areas to find backwater that holds almost every type of fish. I can't tell you how many times that single feature has put more fish in the boat. They also save LOTS of $$ in gas...

My 15hp is a short shaft. Another nice feature for getting in shallow areas. There is just storage under the front deck, no livewell.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

fishinfey8, I have to mention once again how much i like your boat you did a great job! Just what I want for these small lakes i fish.I have to mention that i do want a lund alaskan 17 or 18' some day for bigger water like mille lacs. Tiller steer of course! Nice and open layout and SIMPLE!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.