1961 Arkansas Traveler Skijack-will it float?

[toddhunter]

35 acre lake.

 

[toddhunter]

I think installing an automatic pump in the small bilge area would be a good idea in this boat, which may be stored outside on the water. Sound good?

 

[Woodonglass]

Sounds Good. I think I'd be looking for 3-5 hp gas motor too. Even with a weak transom, she could handle one of those.

 

[toddhunter]

No gas motors allowed. It's tempting to consider taking it to another lake for some runabout action, but not now.

 

[Woodonglass]

Alrighty Then!!! Guess I'd have a spare Battery just in case!!!

 

[toddhunter]

Some photos of possible flooring. It doesn't add much, but I'm still deciding what to do about seating. The original fold down seats are not in good shape.

 

[toddhunter]

 

[toddhunter]

Where flooring meets "repaired" crack. Also, I noted that where I used MarineRx on some of the holes in the floor, they remain tacky, or maybe it's the paint over it.

 

[toddhunter]

Well, she floats. And looks better than I ever expected.

 

[toddhunter]

 

[MTboatguy]

That is actually a pretty good looking boat. Well worth repairing and restoring if you are so inclined in the future.

 

[toddhunter]

Thanks for the compliment. We're thinking it's worth spending some more money to get the electronics going, and maybe hooking up the steering wheel to a stouter motor (and maybe changing out/covering the seating), but restoration will have to wait for the next owner. We may move across the country in a few years, and it seems unlikely we would move it. Who knows? Anyway, I still have questions for this group on the next steps.

 

[toddhunter]

It came with a cover that is a bit of a pain. It's held on by a swinging crossbar that is screwed on. Fine if you want to leave it on to partially cover the boat, but we don't want to. So I'm thinking about buying a ready made, non-custom. Alternatives?

 

[toddhunter]

Without a big motor, the boat sits a little forward, which may be an issue when rain soaks it. Any thoughts. Add weight to the back? Fugettaboutit?

 

[toddhunter]

Just had to say I'm loving this little boat that has no business being on our small lake. It's a hit.

 

[toddhunter]

There is a label on the boat that refers to a condensation plug. Where might that be?

 

[Woodonglass]

In the Bilge on the side. It's to allow any water to drain from under the deck that condensation may have caused.

You can see mine here on the right side. When I first got her I wondered what it was for too!!!

 

[toddhunter]

Whoa, I had no idea. Is it supposed to be plugged? If it isn't (and I don't know at the moment), does it mean my bilge water could be draining where it shouldn't? Actually, there usually is some water in the bilge, so it couldn't be draining.
What is happening is that because the boat is front heavy, it is difficult to drain to the bilge. Standing on the back and rocking the boat causes water to flow in, but it never really finishes draining when I'm vacumming the water. Lots of debris flows into the bilge, suggesting there is much more where that came from. When I take the boat out for the year, I will tilt it up and try to drain it. In the meantime, I'm not sure what else to do. I've fantasized about drilling a drain hole through the floor where it is lowest (in the front) and using it to suck out the water.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yes. I keep mine plugged most always and then unplug at end of season when bow is up and boat is covered. Seems to always be a bit of water in there.

 

[toddhunter]