Unknown 16 Ft Alum Project. Suggestions?

[ocbinva]

I need advice and insight on my project. Previous owner of my house left this 16 foot Aluminum boat in the woods. I been here since 2002 and just now pulled it out to look at it. Since I am always tinkering I thought it be fun to restore. I am getting a plan together while I get the paperwork done for registration. They state says they do not have a make or model on the previous owners registration other than it was registered as a mid 70?s boat but they said that may have been a guess? The state even tried to contact them but their long gone.

Here are my questions and plans?

I cannot find any ID plate anyone got an idea of Make/MOD?

Keel and two runners are rubbed through should I just put guards over them or DURA FIX them?

Two ribs are cracked so pay for weld or will durafix do the job? Maybe piece of aluminum channel?

Transom is rotted but I plan of 3/4 exterior ply with epoxy and bolted in. Easy fix.

Every rivet and seam someone put a grey silicon feeling stuff. Any ideas what it is? 3M 5200 does not come in grey I think?

Boxes under the seats are sealed (kinda) are they flotation?

Bottom of boat is relatively flat but thought some plywood to just stand on would be nice on the bottom between the seats instead of standing on the ribs?

My plan is to Clean and strip it. Seat any loose rivets and on the inside Gluv-It and on the outside use Cabela sticks on the rivets. Maybe bit of gluv it in the exterior seam on the stern? Paint it, bolt on two swivel seats, plywood floor and go fishing. Not into fancy just safe and functional.
Suggestions? Ideas? lost cause? I have little experience with Aluminum boats just wood ones. They also left an old trailer they made long enough but not wide enough so that?s an additional project/story. Rick

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Unknown 16 Ft Alum Project. Suggestions?

Welcome to iboats and the tin can club!

Well worth restoring unless it's dented beyond repair or has too many holes in it. Get some gluvit and apply it to all interior seams and rivets to get any leaks plugged. Great product.

That rig will be easy to work on and a great fishing boat. Get a 10-35hp OB and you're in business.

It doesn't look like a Starcraft, it might be a Lonestar? Many boats like this one out there, it could be any brand.

I am restoring a 12' tinny and I built some removable decking to have a flat place to stand and keep off the ribs/bare hull. There's a link below for my thread if you want to see what I'm talking about.

Good luck with the restoration!

 

[ocbinva]

Re: Unknown 16 Ft Alum Project. Suggestions?

Outstanding. I am just waiting on registration before i sink time and money into it. I plan on using it in the brackish water of the York River and freshwater lakes here in Virginia. Rick

 

[ocbinva]

Re: Unknown 16 Ft Alum Project. Suggestions?

Virginia is titling the boat. They however want me to look for a Hull ID # cause they don't show one in their records. I cannot fiind one Maybe it was painted over and I will find when I strip it? Where are they normally found on boats like this. All they show is it is a 1970 boat and its 15' 7" long. They do not know make or mod either. Rick

 

[ocbinva]

Re: Unknown 16 Ft Alum Project. Suggestions?

OK after closer inspection I see I have my work cut out for me. I may not normally have attempted a restore on a boat in this condition but since the boat was free I find it earlier to spend some dimes. The transom is trashed but I that is an easy fix. I noticed the Transom Knee brace top 2 inches is busted off. Anyone know where to buy a new ones? I hate to get it welded since it is a strength part. I might even add one or two? Also the keel guard and shallow skegs are rubbed clear in a few spots. On the keel it is about 12 inches and looks to be from grounding the boat. I was thinking of Aluminum brazing rod to fill it in then maybe an aftermarket keel guard? I have attached a couple PICs (Sorry did not know camera was on B/W) as examples. Once pic is of the cracked rib inside on floor. Lastly every joint and rivet it covered in a grey silicon that just peels off so I was thinking clean boat, reseat rivets, replace those that need it then gluvit! Any ideas or insight is appreciated.