I have a 15' Alumacraft runabout that my dad purchased new in 1957. It has been garage kept or stored upside down on blocks and is in generally good condition. It is an open boat with a sheetmetal bow cover, curved windshield and forward controls and steering wheel. I used it regularly in the Chesapeake Bay up until the mid-90's. The origional 57 electric start Bigtwin 35 Evinrude is Smithsonian clean and runs great.
In the early early 90's a pine tree fell during a gale while the boat was on the trailer and hit the port side top rail. It bent top the rail down slightly buckling the side below the top rail but above the spray rail near the front just back from the dash. I am now considering cutting out and straigntening the bent top rail, and damaged sheet aluminum and welding in new material. As a testament to the toughness of the boat I used it for at least six years after it was damaged. I doesn't leak more than a gallon of water after several days in the water. My oldest son is a good aluminum welder and the thinks the project is doable. I would like to maybe just rivit a sister a patch over the damaged sheet metal and call it done. The boat is bare aluminum now but I will paint it after the repairs are made.
The Alumacraft logo with "Queen of the Waterways" is still good on the stern sides but will be lost if the boat is painted. Does anyone know if restoration decals are produced for Alumacraft of that era?
I would like to hear some comments, cautions or ideas on the proposed work. The boat has immense sentimental value and was the source of lots of enjoyment for our family.
Thank you
Tony Mig.
In the early early 90's a pine tree fell during a gale while the boat was on the trailer and hit the port side top rail. It bent top the rail down slightly buckling the side below the top rail but above the spray rail near the front just back from the dash. I am now considering cutting out and straigntening the bent top rail, and damaged sheet aluminum and welding in new material. As a testament to the toughness of the boat I used it for at least six years after it was damaged. I doesn't leak more than a gallon of water after several days in the water. My oldest son is a good aluminum welder and the thinks the project is doable. I would like to maybe just rivit a sister a patch over the damaged sheet metal and call it done. The boat is bare aluminum now but I will paint it after the repairs are made.
The Alumacraft logo with "Queen of the Waterways" is still good on the stern sides but will be lost if the boat is painted. Does anyone know if restoration decals are produced for Alumacraft of that era?
I would like to hear some comments, cautions or ideas on the proposed work. The boat has immense sentimental value and was the source of lots of enjoyment for our family.
Thank you
Tony Mig.
however..... he did have a link to his repair project in his profile..... with pictures