1950's DURACRAFT, 3/28, helm installed

[tashasdaddy]

Got it home, and more pleased than i thought. also found Duracrafts ID number, so i've emailed them to try to get definate date. transom wood, floor, seats, and all the other good things. i want to make it as close to original as i can.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

filled with water found 1 rivet missing, so far only leak. the hole in the stearn are for the wood transom, inside braces, and old engine holes.

 

[ztim]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Will you be doing a flush patch on that hole? Looks good and should be a fun project.
. Good luck with it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

not sure yet, just got it home today, considered straighting and weld, then sand. it's not as big as it looks. maybe 1" long. i've got a 58 johnny 35 coming for it. considering the bronze engine color for hull, and the cream for the deck. also thought about high gloss black for the hull, and candy red for the deck and a bout 10 coats of clear coat.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Boy thats got some serious deck.You could almost turn it into an air craft carrier.You don't see too many aluminum boats with real style thats got it.Nice soft bilge
bet she will ride nice.

 

[Rick K]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Man oh man... My palms are getting sweaty, just lookin' at it!! Nice find! Every time I find something nice like that, the wife reminds me that I have an Islander to finish.
Rick

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Wonderful find. That is boat will make for endless hours of fun when done. Keep us posted.

Nice to see someone doing an actual restore rather converting it to a floating casting platform. 8)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

got the splash well out and ground the heads off the remaining transom bolts, started a fire in the rotten wood, boy does that stink. held water all night except for the 1 rivet missing.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Looking at your pictures, it's not as deep as the other pics made it look. That 35hp should do real nice with 2 people. 4 may be a bit of a stretch. Only one way to find out though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

it has a plate from the outboard motor club rating it for a 50hp 950 lbs. also has the original Duracraft plate with serial number 26425. Duracraft can't date it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

got the transom fitted, can't believe there are 30 thru bolts in the transom. off to buy bolts.and 4200.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

transom in, splash well raise 3 inches. can you believe there is not a drain in the splash well. it's gonna get 2. i'm tired. monthly toy budget getting really tight. now to get the steering wheel off and roll her over, and start sanding.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

No splash well drains?

Lemme guess, its old name was Puddles.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

How do you plan on patching the big hole in the splashwell?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

i may just line the inside of the splash well with new aluminum, and seal it in. it won't be seen from underneath, when the seat back goes in. home depot sells 20 inch aluminum flashing $10.00 for a 10 ft roll. i've used it for kitchen counter backsplashes, instead of stainless steel, looks real nice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, here it is, the start

got the splash well hole drilled, and managed to grind the mounts out of the steering wheel the hard way, outside the dash instead of under. the hull looks pretty darn good. hull color has been determined to be flat black. then clear coated. deck still in the air.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/21/07

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/21/07

hull sanded and went with gloss black, cost savings on paint, rolled it over and the deck went Johnson Cream, red rub rail. gotta get some floppy disc for more pics.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/21/07

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/21/07

ok got the disc for the camera.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/22/07

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, updated 3/22/07

heavy dew last night, so got a late start, cut the panel to cover the previous holes, put rollers, and bunk on an old trailer, that i had used for utility for many years. it's a 3x4 frame, the lightest boat on the heaviest trailer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, 3/27 on a trailer

Re: 1950's DURACRAFT, 3/27 on a trailer

3/27 had to get on the water over the weekend, glorious here in Fla. Waiting for deliveries, got solenoid, starter button, bow light, radio base installed. now to switches & wiring for lights, and bilge pump. made my own battery cables since i had 25 feet of both i took out of the center console boat.

Willy clay, came thru with a good helm and besel. should be here tomorrow. found a wheel on ebay.