1961 Arkansas Traveler Skijack-will it float?

[toddhunter]

My just-purchased boat has a floor that seems to flex a lot, almost like it has a 2x2 ft bubble. It also has some small open holes drilled in the transom. I'm trying to dry out the boat in my garage. Then I'll fill the holes. I plan to paint the floor. Since I will be using the boat only on a small lake using a trolling motor, I hope I'm ok. I still don't know if it will float, though I don't see any holes in the hull (yet). I'm not going to restore it, but wonder if anyone sees obvious problems/solutions. More questions to follow. Thanks.

 

[alldodge]

My just-purchased boat has a floor that seems to flex a lot, almost like it has a 2x2 ft bubble. It also has some small open holes drilled in the transom. I'm trying to dry out the boat in my garage. Then I'll fill the holes. I plan to paint the floor. Since I will be using the boat only on a small lake using a trolling motor, I hope I'm ok. I still don't know if it will float, though I don't see any holes in the hull (yet). I'm not going to restore it, but wonder if anyone sees obvious problems/solutions. More questions to follow. Thanks.

:welcome: to iboats

Were not able to see what your seeing without pics.


That aid, since your using it on a lake with a trolling motor you not getting to far away. Keep a life jacket close and go fishing

 

[toddhunter]

Thanks for the welcome and suggestion. I need to make a couple of more posts before I can add photos, but I will.

 

[toddhunter]

I removed the seats/frames and found a crack about 2 ft long. The fiberglass has separated

 

[toddhunter]

The fiberglass has separated along the crack, causing a gap that I could probably slide a credit card through. It also flexes when pressed.

 

[toddhunter]

I'd like to secure this crack before painting and reinstalling the seats. (I'm posting these short replies in hopes of getting enough to post pictures.)

 

[toddhunter]

This is not going to be a full restoration (no time, energy for it), but if I can get it to float for a couple of years at least and look decent, I'll be happy. Looking for the simplest solution.

 

[toddhunter]

(Never mind. Used photobucket) I'm trying to upload an 11.4 kb pic but getting an error message with no explanation.

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

Pretty good on the outside.

 

[Jeep Man]

I had a boat of similar vintage albeit not an Arkansas. Floor was very flexible in places as well. It was fiberglass over balsa wood and the wood was rotten. In my case not worth fixing. Maybe someone on the forum can enlighten us if yours is built in the same fashion.

 

[toddhunter]

I suspect it would be worth restoring, even assuming there is rot inside, but I just want it to float and hold up for a few years. I'd like to repair that crack, fill a few holes, paint the inside and the transom, then "cruise" around our 35 acre lake with a bow mount trolling motor.

 

[toddhunter]

That crack in post 11 is going to need fixing. But how?

 

[toddhunter]

image error

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]