Purchased my first boat- an Alumacraft FDR from the mid-late 1950's... Need Ideas

[Bigkat650]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Check out WWW.AOMCI.ORG. They will be able to tell you Everything in the world about your motor. Parts, manuals, tips and tricks. Those guys are the consumate experts for vintage motors like yours.

Thanks, I'll have to check that out.

I think the one thing I want to do is convert it to an electric start... also possibly do away with the dual hose pressure system and add a fuel pump. Both look like relatively simple conversions if I can find the parts. Electric start was available on a lot of these engines from the factory.

 

[Monterey Dreams]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

I love the look of that old engine. My motor is a starflite 60 75 hp and it really looks funky. I would love to get one with the hood that is shaped like yours.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

This is a great article on converting your dual line to a fuel pump.

http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Converting_dual_fuel_line.htm

 

[Bigkat650]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

I love the look of that old engine. My motor is a starflite 60 75 hp and it really looks funky. I would love to get one with the hood that is shaped like yours.

I agree, I love the shape. To me, its one of the best looking motors ever made. (not mine, the mid-late 50's Johnson's in general). I still have to clean it up--I haven't even touched it cosmetically yet, I just unloaded it out of the car and took the pics. I bet it will shine up real nice!! I'm excited to get this project underway, and I'll keep you guys updated on the progress

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

You can get a Parts Schematic here if you get the model Number off the motor.
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1958&hp=35

I think you have either the 25034 or 35 model. the 25936 and 37 models are the Electric Starts. You will need to replace the flywheel etc... to make her an electric start.

 

[Monterey Dreams]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

I’ll be watching your thread, I am noob still myself but I have fallen in love with the old stuff. (I am a sucker for fins).
Dave

 

[Monterey Dreams]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

I actually like the color of your hood also. I can’t tell if it is faded red or a burnt brown but whatever it is I like it as is.

 

[Bigkat650]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Work has been slow on the project lately. If I could get a warm day on the weekend, I could probably get something accomplished on it!!

Anyways, staying on track--i've been working on different mock-ups. I will come up with a few more, but I wanted to get some options on this one.

I am going for a 50/50 mix of pleasure cruiser/fishing boat. Let me know what you think:


The slotted floor under the helm will be as low as possible, and made of a nice rich cherry wood. The back deck will be raised, but only slightly (somewhere in the realm of 6"--mainly for the addition of flotation foam.

Thanks for looking!

 

[keymam]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

UPDATE: Scroll down to see the motor for the project: 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Hello all!

I purchased my first boat this last weekend. Thought I would get some opinions from you folks about it, see if you guys can educate me a little. Also see if I can get some opinions on how the best way to restore it would be. First off, the boat is a late 1950's Alumacraft model FDR. From the minimal research I have done, I believe this boat was originally a runabout. However, the boat now is essentially striped down to nothing but the hull. Luckally the hull seems to be very solid, and for $220 with a trailer--it seemed like a steal.

I guess I have a few questions, first do you think that I got a decent deal? If you were to restore this--based on the photo's attached--would you go for a complete restore back to original or would you go for a tiller motor, and simplify the restore with floor board and raised casting deck? I plan on mostly fishing out of it--so I am leaning towards the simpler restore. Lastly, what size motor should I put on it? I don't need to speed, but I do want to be able to get on plane--20mph would be fine. I'm thinking about a 20-25hp? It is rated up to a 35hp motor.

View attachment 123609 View attachment 123610 View attachment 123631


Thanks for all the help everyone, and I will keep posting updated on the project!!

-Tim

It looks like a solid boat,but looks like a FD to me ,since it has the splash well. Look on the transom brace under the splash well and the model should be stamped there. I have a FD with a 35 Mercury on it . That is the largest it is rated for ,but A 20 or 25 should be fine . Good luck!

 

[Bigkat650]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

It looks like a solid boat,but looks like a FD to me ,since it has the splash well. Look on the transom brace under the splash well and the model should be stamped there. I have a FD with a 35 Mercury on it . That is the largest it is rated for ,but A 20 or 25 should be fine . Good luck!

Yeah it is the FDR, you can see on the 11th post of this thread I have the photo for proof! lol

As far as the project itself goes, I have now have 2 potential motors for it. A 1958 Johnson 35hp Big Twin, and a 1957 Evinrude Lark I purchased as a parts motor for the Johnson. Well, the evinrude is almost cherry under the hood, and it has electric start--so the Johnson is now the parts motor for the Lark!

I am in the home stretch, been plugging away every night after work for a couple hours each day getting closer to finishing. My goal is still having it usable by memorial day--but I have a couple dozen hours of work to go to get it in usable shape (not even finished shape!)

 

[thewollerts]

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

Re: My first project- 1959 Alumacraft FDR + 1958 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp

I love these old boats. I'm new to the site too and it has been the most helpfull place for information. I am working on a Lonestar Admiral with a 58 seahorse 35hp. I saw this link in an earlier reply and if you haven't been there I totally suggest it. Captain Jones has an FDR and goes step by step fixing it up as well as two other boats and countless motors and he started as a novice too. Good luck with your builds.

http://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/2009/10/