Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

[crackedglass]

I found a boat in my search for a bare bones V hull today, it's a bit larger than I wanted but will certainly do the job.
The problem is that it's got a reassigned title and hull ID number.
I am curious as to who may have made this thing. It don't resemble any other current make and is built like a tank.
I haven't picked it up yet, I have a 3 hour drive to retrieve it ahead of me this week.
It's an 18' V hull with nearly a flat bottom at the stern, the sides are exra tall, it has 3 bench seats and a side console at the right rear. It's painted battle ship gray.
It's got a 20" transom and has 50hp Etec on it. No splashwell, but it has a wood floor that appears factory. It's got basic lights and no other options. No fish finder, foam filled bench seats, wood and aluminum console.

Does any of this sound familiar? I'll get some pics once I get it here but I couldn't find any manufacturer that made one like this. It's a welded hull, not riveted, it's a very stout hull, no flex at all. The construction reminds me of my old Grumman bass boat, as does the color but I can find no info on any 18" Grumman with a 72" beam in a V hull. The wood used in the deck is some sort of composite or press board, not plywood. It's old but rock solid. There's a Coast Guard plate but it too badly worn and faded to read. There are no hull numbers other than the PA assigned numbers on the transom which were riveted on recently.

Any ideas as to who made a gray 18' V hull with three bench seats, side console, wood deck, and a 72" beam?
I'd guess this to be circa 1970's?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I dont know what it is but it sounds cool!!! get those pics !!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

there are no official records before 1972, when the requirement for hull number and registration started. get some pics up. may be we can indentify. those older boats due get state issued hull #s.

 

[crackedglass]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

Someone here said maybe Crestliner but that's only a guess, they are the only one I can find with an open 18' hull.
When I first saw the hull from a distance, I though maybe someone gutted down a larger boat but it's built with benches and a rear side console.
Its the 6' beam width that's really odd, I'd have figured an 18' to be wider, sort of proportionally larger than say a 16'. It like a lengthened 16' hull, but it's not, there are no welds or breaks in the panels over the whole length of the boat. I hope to go get it this week, no matter what it is, I got it right. Its a bit longer than I was after but better bigger than smaller. My thinking is that the larger boat will draw less water. The boat came from western PA or Ohio originally, since PA didn't title boats back then, its got a 1995 title with PA assigned hull numbers. The only issue I have now is that I don't think my original plan of using a 10hp in freshwater lakes will fly with the larger hull?
I may have to convert my 15hp to a long shaft or build up a 9.9 hp as a 15.

 

[crackedglass]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

Well, I headed out today to round up the 18' aluminum boat.
To say the least, today didn't turn out as planned but I must say for the better.

I drove about 2 hours to get the boat, when I got there, it was clear what it was, I could still read Alumaweld Sea Dory on the sides, probably mid to late 80's, someone had ripped up the original deck and screwed down new plywood, tossed the console or what ever it came with a was using it as a tiller steer boat. The trailer was a painted Shore Land'r in I'd say fair condition, but well maintained. For what I paid for the boat, I wasn't complaining.
Anyhow, the boat was heavy, far heavier than what I was after and real narrow feeling with only an 850 max weight on the plate. It had a PA reassigned Hull ID number, which is common for older boats, but why the disregarded the oem numbers I have no idea, but I've had dozens done the same way before.
On the way there, I passed a number of boats which were more what I was after, (lighter). I hithced up, shot the wheels with grease, put on a few extra straps, pumped the tires to spec and headed home. I stopped at a small ma and pa type gas station, the kid collecting the money was all but drooling over the boat I had on the trailer. He started in about how he had inherited a 16' V hull a few years ago from his granddad but it wasn't much good in shallow streams where he fished, he went on to say how it was nearly completely restored, and in his dad's garage. I told the kid that I had just bought the boat, and that I was more after something smaller, and lighter. The alumacraft had to weigh well over 750lbs with all the wood on the deck and the sheer length of the hull. It was also pretty heavy aluminum compared to what I was after.

The kid said he'd buy it on the spot if he had cash but had to sell what he had already. From his description I was thinking it might have been more the boat I was after, so I told him that I wasn't local but if his boat was nearby, I'd take a look. It was only about a mile away so we went and grabbed some lunch, then met him back there and followed him home. The boat turned out to be a near mint, although completely apart, 1972 16' Starcraft Super Sport.
Brand new seats, padding, decks, ( one piece fiberglass deck installed, new transom made of some sort of composite material, looks pretty much like 1.5" fiberglass bolted in place, all new hardware, new bow rails, 4 gallons of new epoxy paint, the hull was in zinc chromate primer and two brand new back to back Starcraft branded seats still in the crates. To top it off, he had a new in the crate, 1982 Mercury 50hp with controls and cables. The only thing not new was the helm and original steering wheel. It wasn't what I was after, but I had never seen a boat so far restored and just left sit, everything was there, it was missing nothing. He even had a brand new, full enclosure, bimini top, mooring cover, half cover and storage cover and folding cover support. Two new batteries, new bilge pump, new switch panel, the dash panels are redone in Starboard with simulated wood grain panels under the guages. The inside of the hull was treated with gluvit and then painted with Interlux sealer, he included the remaining 4 cans of Gluvit that he had as well.

He had no trailer, just a dolly it was sitting on in the shop. He said he wanted something to hang a small motor on and run in the back streams and rivers. I told him that the 18' was probably too heavy but he disagreed.

On the other hand, the boat on my trailer had no motor on it, we had loaded the 85hp tiller motor into the back of my van wrapped up in shipping blankets since I felt it was far too tongue light for the long tow home.

To make a long story short, we traded, title for title, we hossed the 18 footer off onto the grass, I backed up and we slid the 16' on the trailer tied it down, loaded the hull with all the goodies, slid the new Merc 50 into the van and off I went, he was happy, I was rid of a boat I really didn't like, and had yet another really cool project that will at best take only a few weekends to complete. Of the first deal, I still got the 85hp Evinrude Tiller motor, and the trailer, and now have a complete super clean starcraft as well with a brand new Merc 50 hp, (which is a short shaft and no good on the Starcraft anyhow, but it came with the deal), I can convert the 85hp Evinrude to remote and hang it on the Super Sport and have one really quick little boat.

I went out this morning thinking I'd be bringing home an open 18' boat to run in the river and lakes with, and ended up with a much larger project, but a far nicer boat for what I put out. I nearly spent as much in gas going after it as I did for the boat, the cost of the boat was less than the cost any one new part that came with the boat I swapped for. The guy I swapped the 18' to, was happier to find that thing than I was to be rid of it. Although I wasn't after a full interior boat, the sum of it's parts, not to mention the fact that it's a spotless hull with no repairs, or corrosion, and in need of really nothing made it too good to pass up.

I could of course leave it as a bare hull, install a few pedestal seats and run the 85 hp tiller motor as is or hang my 40hp on it but it would seem a waist of all the other brand new parts that came with it.
Once I get some warmer weather, I'll flip the hull and start painting it, I have enough white and enough blue to make it either color, or to do a two tone job. I am leaning towards just doing it as it was new, white bottom with blue top surfaces. With the epoxy paint outside, and the gluvit coat and sealer inside, I doubt it will ever leak, my only decision is what motor to hang now.
I do have the chance to buy a nice used 80's 70 hp Johnson that I think would be great on it, but think the 40hp would do fine too. The 85 seams like overkill even though it's rated for up to 85hp.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I don't suppose you'd want to trade that supersport for a closed bow? I'm jealous of your find as that's what I'm looking for. That boat will move well with the 85. That's what I have on my 16' Starcraft. Glad you found it. I was going to get on yesterday to tell you that a lot of tinnys have shown up recently on the York, Harrisburg, Lancaster Craigslists. I wasn't sure where you were in PA.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

quote "Check out my '66 Starcraft project boat w/ a '73 Johnson 85 here."

Is that a holliday? That is the same model as mine but I get conflicting answers when I ask people what model it is
jamie

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I love it when "Plan B" comes together!

Put the 85 on there... you'll be glad you did in the long run. I only had one boat that wasn't rated to max and I always wished I'd gotten the larger motor. Had that boat for 7 years and it never was cost effective to upgrade.

Good deal you found!

-BWR

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

quote "Check out my '66 Starcraft project boat w/ a '73 Johnson 85 here."

Is that a holliday? That is the same model as mine but I get conflicting answers when I ask people what model it is
jamie

It's a Jupiter.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

hmmm got an alien on my hands.
at least this is the most diffinitive (spelling?) answer so far thanks
jamie

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

ohhh just got promoted!!!!!

 

[crackedglass]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I don't suppose you'd want to trade that supersport for a closed bow? I'm jealous of your find as that's what I'm looking for. That boat will move well with the 85. That's what I have on my 16' Starcraft. Glad you found it. I was going to get on yesterday to tell you that a lot of tinnys have shown up recently on the York, Harrisburg, Lancaster Craigslists. I wasn't sure where you were in PA.

I actually have an older Jupiter, the hulls are about twins, just the bow plate and spashwell are different. The SS has a much smaller splashwell, it's a third the size of the one on my Jupiter. The Jupiter is due for a deck and transom. The transom is solid exept for the very upper wing areas.

The '85' I have is actually a cross breed between a few motors, it began life as a 1982 85 hp but got a new 1980 115 power head and carbs a few years back. I figured its more like a 90 now with some extra umph down low. Either way it weighs the same and runs like a top. I figure that hanging an older 90 or 115 is about the same as hanging a post 1984 85 hp since the ratings changed that year.

The transom is also different in the top radius, the 1962 Jupiter has cut angles across the top of the transom, while the SS has a curved top transom.
I'll probably tow the boat down to a buddies place this week to paint it, I want to flip it to paint the bottom, and get a good few coats on it before putting in on it's new trailer for reassembly. A lot will depend on the weather as far as paint. I don't have a heated garage so I pretty much have to wait for warmer weather.

I either want to flip it over or suspend it high up so I can get a few real good coats of pain on it which will no doubt help water proof it and protect it from saltwater as best as possible.

I saw a few Mariner models done with carpeted or rubber covered gunwale tops, I think that might work well for me on this. But I want something that's cleanable and cheap to replace if it goes bad. I've pretty much decided on painting the inside of the hull and all exposed areas with white bed liner. I've never been a fan of Nautolex and can't stand the way it looks after it gets dirty or stained and it never seems to stay adhered on the sides of the boat very well.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I've got a '63 Jupiter, I'm in the process of redoing the transom and floors.
I searched for a long time to find a really nice hull with no dents or serious damage. I had an uncle who had one when I was a kid who kept it down the shore. That boat had an 85hp Merc inline 6 motor and it downright flew. But the motors weight made the boat very sensitive to weight distribution. The tank was mounted under the bow, and it needed every bit of it's 20 gallon tank.
I do remember that if me and my uncle were at the stern fishing, any rear approaching waves would crack over the splashwell and up in your face. The boat sat low in the stern. His buddy had the same boat with an older Merc 4 cylinder and it sat much better and was far more stable, although not as fast. But I doubt all of the power was ever used in that boat. I don't recall if it even had a working speedometer but it would go far faster than was comfortable on choppy seas. Over what I'd guess was about 40 mph, it felt like it was going to vibrate apart.
I have looked at a few SS models, including one 16', they do have a much steeper deadrise at the transom. My '63 is flat at the stern, with barely a curve at the bottom, the SS has a defined V bottom the entire length of the hull. The bow is pretty much the same. If your running in saltwater or even rough water, I'd be careful about hanging too much weight when it comes to a motor. Its been my experience that the 70hp is more bang for your buck so to speak since the hp to weight ratio is much better. Both the better stance on the water and lesser weight will make the 70hp the best choice.
It will make for a much more balanced boat.
My '63 came to me with a running 1968 65 hp Mercury on it, it would cruise at over 40 with no problems and sat with the outer chines just above the water. I will most likely upgrade that motor for something newer that I can more readily get parts for.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I need to work on my set up because the best I've gotten with my 85 was around 34 MPH. That was with my old prop that spun a hub. I bought a new one that was supposed to be the same specs but now I'm slower and not hitting anywhere near the optimal RPM. So I have some work to do this year.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Unknown 18' aluminum V hull

I have an older, 1976, 135 hp on my 18' Starchief Cuddy cabin which probably puts out about 115 or so in real numbers. That boat will do between 39 and 42, maybe faster in light chop. The motor tops out at about 5900 rpm on smooth water. I've got a buddy that's got an open version of the Jupiter hull, I think it may be a gutted Mariner or Sportsman hull. He runs a later 60hp Evinrude twin cylinder on it and the thing is like a rocket. I've clocked that on my GPS over 45mph, with plenty more left to go. He's got a new deck in it, just a single layer of 1/2" ply, put in in removable sections for cleaning, each section sits loose, and comes out with it's supports attached. The motor is a tiller motor with only a jump start pack as it's starting battery. There's a forward seat pedestal and a drivers seat bench, nothing else. The boat is light, light enough for two guys to lift off the trailer and into the water when there's no ramp. It's a 16' 2" hull with a near flat bottom, more like my Jupiter's hull.
His also has a very short splashwell, it only takes up about 12" of the boat's interior and is pretty shallow.