Aero Craft resto

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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
I have been looking for a aluminum boat for a while i got this off CL this week and im about to get to work. It has a few issues it will need new floor and transom and seats. but the one thing im worried about is a small hole in the hull should i get it welded or is it best to not heat the area and use epoxy instead? here are some pictures
 

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garyq

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 11, 2010
Messages
168
Re: Aero Craft resto

looks like U have a very nice boat there greengo . with some work she clean up nicely. looks very close to my springbok, as for the hole you can do it both ways . But which is the best for that area not sure .If U want I,ll show u pic,s of my boat....
 
B

bananaboater

Ensign
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
932
Re: Aero Craft resto

I would wait till after removing the decking and inspecting the hole from the inside. Otherwise the boat looks to be in good shape. Should make a fine restoration.
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

Admiral
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
6,025
Re: Aero Craft resto

Nice rig, I'm a huge fan of AeroCraft aluminum hulls and I've not seen many like that one.:)

I really like how they left the rivets bare metal and painted the rest of the hull. It makes for a unique looking boat.

Maybe a patch riveted in place with gluvit or JB weld will solve that issue of the crack in the hull.

Welcome to iboats!
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

i got into the floor and found it was poured in foam from the factory. I think ill have to use this again as my hull seems to have less supports than say a starcraft and it seems the foam makes the boat more solid. Am i right on this? the poured in foam is pricey :(
 

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ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Aero Craft resto

Not sure. We'll have to revisit this once you have it all cleaned out. It would be rare for a tinnie to require foam for support. However, the lack of ribs on that boat is concerning.
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

Admiral
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
6,025
Re: Aero Craft resto

I've seen a couple of aluminum boats that had boxes with poured-in foam from the factory from that era. Cadillac(not related to the car company) made aluminum boats that way, and they are a real mess to deal with when gutting the hull.

It looks like there are no horizontal ribs, maybe the aluminum is thicker to make up for it?
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

Been working on the boat some more got the rotten transom out and 99% of the old poured in foam what a mess.I have some aluma-rust on the transom its not to bad but there are a few holes i bought some marine tex epoxy for those. Only 1 hole in the bottom but there is some pitting do i prime it with Zinc primer or just hit it with the Gluvit unprimed? Thanks PICT0086.jpgtransom 1.jpgbelow deck.jpgPICT0089.jpgPICT0088.jpg
 
Cadwelder

Cadwelder

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,780
Re: Aero Craft resto

Look at the picture of the old transom...all it one piece. You tin guys have it made, easy, easy, easy....

You'll gave a nice rig when you're done.
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

Ive been working on the boat again might be in the water soon..Put in the new floor with pour in foam under it as original.Painted splash well and the inside of the boat with rustolem gray then carpeted and installed the new steering setup.

Boat 005.jpgBoat 023sm.JPGBoat 008.jpgP1060012sm.JPGP1060017sm.JPG
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

Then i got the seats in and began work on the motor i removed and cleaned the varnished carbs purchased a new glass bowl for the fuel pump and i replaced all of the old fuel line as it was brittle.My next step is the impeller changeout but i have ran into a problem i will soak it overnight and see if it can break free.

P1060031.jpgBoat 035sm.JPGBoat 033sm.JPG
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

Admiral
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
6,025
Re: Aero Craft resto

Nice job, it's got a nice clean look to the interior:)

Good luck with the motor!
 
TruckDrivingFool

TruckDrivingFool

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
1,818
Re: Aero Craft resto

Looking good, I wish mine was going so quickly. Back to work for me.
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

I got the screw unstuck from the water pump after a nights soak in pb blaster then i put the outboard on wired it up new battery gas new gas tank Then i fire it up and no spark... but it does turn over good and the electric choke works fine. Im going to troubleshoot more tomorrow but i have cleaned the points and distributor cap so im leaning toward that magnapower box i ve been reading on replacing it with a car coil from napa. Also my prop is pretty chewed up is this going to be a major problem for using the boat? i have a picture of the prop and the freshly painted engine
 

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jasoutside

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: Aero Craft resto

Your AeroCraft looks great, looking forward to seeing her all finished up!
 
silver_bay

silver_bay

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2010
Messages
99
Re: Aero Craft resto

I've been following your restoration. I've been working on a 1960(ish) AeroCraft 14 footer, and I've been collecting AeroCraft photos and specs at http://www.ultimate.com/aerocraft-boats/

The earliest year I've seen you boat's logo is the cover of the 1968 catalog (which I don't have complete scans for), but the 1967 catalog shows a 17 foot aluminum boat like yours called the "Challenger"
(model CH-18). Is there a model number (and/or serial number) anywhere on your boat?

Thanks!
Phil
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Aero Craft resto

My prop currently looks about as bad. It should be fine. That being said, from what I understand Chrysler props are kinda hard to find. You may want to start you search for an appropriate spare now. Once you get it, swap 'em out and have that one refurbished.
 
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greengo

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Aero Craft resto

silver_bay said:
I've been following your restoration. I've been working on a 1960(ish) AeroCraft 14 footer, and I've been collecting AeroCraft photos and specs at http://www.ultimate.com/aerocraft-boats/

The earliest year I've seen you boat's logo is the cover of the 1968 catalog (which I don't have complete scans for), but the 1967 catalog shows a 17 foot aluminum boat like yours called the "Challenger"
(model CH-18). Is there a model number (and/or serial number) anywhere on your boat?

Thanks!
Phil
Click to expand...


I think the boat is a 1970 Coho 17' it had some coho sticker in the splashwell that looked factory and my outboard that came on its a 1970 too thats a good aerocraft link thanks.
I have picked up a complete not run since 2009, 1970 70hp chrysler for cheap so im going to see if i can make a runner out of this on as the electronics seem not to be in bad shape and the reason the P.O. said the motor was retired due to a bad transom and the motor mount has the cracked aluminum to prove it haha.
 
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