Characteristics of A Well Maintained Aluminum Fishing Boat?

Big Dave · #21 08/04/14, 07:46 PM

Hey Fordy, I buy mine at the scrap yard. Get them by the pound. Pop reviets are my friend.

fordy · #22 08/04/14, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Hey Fordy, I buy mine at the scrap yard. Get them by the pound. Pop reviets are my friend.

............I'd like to save some moola , but health won't allow me to a major restoration , even though I'd enjoy a 'Project' were I a little younger ! , fordy

Rustaholic · #23 08/04/14, 08:27 PM

Looks like a sweet boat but it is up to you to check it out.
I kinda like the second one better too.

Me I have an old 14' riveted aluminum and a real assortment of motors from 1 to 10 HP to play with.
One thing I have not seen here is if you have a 2-stroke engine make sure you seek out real gas for it. The ethanol in most of today's gasoline is really bad for a 2-stroke engine. We have two places near here where we can buy gasoline with no ethanol in it.
I run Stabil in all of my outside engines full time.
The blue Marine Stable that is.

Appalachia · #24 08/04/14, 09:01 PM

Good info given so far.

I'll add my 2 cents (some of which has already been said):

Bottom width = stability.... 14' long and 48" wide will be more stable than 15' long and 42" wide.

Don't rule out tiller steering. It's easy once you get a little practice. Steering consoles take up a lot of room in a small boat in my opinion.

Don't rule out a boat just because of rivets. A quality welded boat is probably better than a riveted one, but a poorly designed or poorly constructed (thin metal) welded boat is prone to problems. Rivets you can repair yourself, welds need a pro unless you are set up for welding aluminum. My boat is 25+ years old riveted and has one tiny leak that evaporates as fast as it comes in. Easy enough to fix but I haven't taken the time because it is really a non-issue.

I love my four stroke Honda. It weighs more, but the trade off is worth it for me in 1) not mixing fuel 2) quiet enough to carry on a conversation while the motor is running 3) no noxious fumes to choke on 4) spill a little gas? no problem it will evaporate. spill a little gas+oil? you're gonna have to clean up that residue. 5) the only "increased maintanence" is changing the oil which is easy, once a year unless you use it a whole lot. Though honestly you can get by without doing it every year.

When looking at a used aluminum boat, spend a lot of time checking out the transom. The wood is hopefully not rotten (though this can be replaced). The bunks of the trailer should extend PAST the edge of the transom (if not the hull can develop a hook which decreases performance and can cause leaks). Other than looking at the transom about all you can do is look it over really good unless the seller will allow you to fill the hull up with water to check for leaks (not likely).

If looking at a used motor, have the seller crank it up for you and make sure it idles smoothly and the water pump impeller pushes water easily. This is the "pee stream" that outboards make which is how the motor is cooled. The engine will have to be hooked up to a garden hose to supply water. If the motor doesn't idle smoothly and shift into gear, etc, then don't assign much value to the motor. Older two stroke motors are easy enough to work on, but don't buy a problem motor at a high price. If it's a two stroke and it wants to run but chokes out or only runs when revved up, it probably just needs a carburetor cleaning/tuning and maybe new spark plugs.

General tip: use only 100% gas (non-ethanol) and marine stabil in every tank... this will prevent a lot of motor issues.

If you want a mind-boggling amount of information on aluminum boats, visit www.tinboats.net

Good luck fordy!

fordy · #25 08/04/14, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appalachia

Good info given so far.

I'll add my 2 cents (some of which has already been said):

Bottom width = stability.... 14' long and 48" wide will be more stable than 15' long and 42" wide.

Don't rule out tiller steering. It's easy once you get a little practice. Steering consoles take up a lot of room in a small boat in my opinion.

Don't rule out a boat just because of rivets. A quality welded boat is probably better than a riveted one, but a poorly designed or poorly constructed (thin metal) welded boat is prone to problems. Rivets you can repair yourself, welds need a pro unless you are set up for welding aluminum. My boat is 25+ years old riveted and has one tiny leak that evaporates as fast as it comes in. Easy enough to fix but I haven't taken the time because it is really a non-issue.

I love my four stroke Honda. It weighs more, but the trade off is worth it for me in 1) not mixing fuel 2) quiet enough to carry on a conversation while the motor is running 3) no noxious fumes to choke on 4) spill a little gas? no problem it will evaporate. spill a little gas+oil? you're gonna have to clean up that residue. 5) the only "increased maintanence" is changing the oil which is easy, once a year unless you use it a whole lot. Though honestly you can get by without doing it every year.

When looking at a used aluminum boat, spend a lot of time checking out the transom. The wood is hopefully not rotten (though this can be replaced). The bunks of the trailer should extend PAST the edge of the transom (if not the hull can develop a hook which decreases performance and can cause leaks). Other than looking at the transom about all you can do is look it over really good unless the seller will allow you to fill the hull up with water to check for leaks (not likely).

If looking at a used motor, have the seller crank it up for you and make sure it idles smoothly and the water pump impeller pushes water easily. This is the "pee stream" that outboards make which is how the motor is cooled. The engine will have to be hooked up to a garden hose to supply water. If the motor doesn't idle smoothly and shift into gear, etc, then don't assign much value to the motor. Older two stroke motors are easy enough to work on, but don't buy a problem motor at a high price. If it's a two stroke and it wants to run but chokes out or only runs when revved up, it probably just needs a carburetor cleaning/tuning and maybe new spark plugs.

General tip: use only 100% gas (non-ethanol) and marine stabil in every tank... this will prevent a lot of motor issues.

If you want a mind-boggling amount of information on aluminum boats, visit www.tinboats.net

Good luck fordy!

...........Thanks ! I was just looking at the New prices for 2014 Mercury outboards.......a 25Hp EFI ~$4,500 ! They've lost their minds . , fordy

fordy · #26 08/04/14, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appalachia

Good info given so far.

I'll add my 2 cents (some of which has already been said):

Bottom width = stability.... 14' long and 48" wide will be more stable than 15' long and 42" wide.

Don't rule out tiller steering. It's easy once you get a little practice. Steering consoles take up a lot of room in a small boat in my opinion.

Don't rule out a boat just because of rivets. A quality welded boat is probably better than a riveted one, but a poorly designed or poorly constructed (thin metal) welded boat is prone to problems. Rivets you can repair yourself, welds need a pro unless you are set up for welding aluminum. My boat is 25+ years old riveted and has one tiny leak that evaporates as fast as it comes in. Easy enough to fix but I haven't taken the time because it is really a non-issue.

I love my four stroke Honda. It weighs more, but the trade off is worth it for me in 1) not mixing fuel 2) quiet enough to carry on a conversation while the motor is running 3) no noxious fumes to choke on 4) spill a little gas? no problem it will evaporate. spill a little gas+oil? you're gonna have to clean up that residue. 5) the only "increased maintanence" is changing the oil which is easy, once a year unless you use it a whole lot. Though honestly you can get by without doing it every year.

When looking at a used aluminum boat, spend a lot of time checking out the transom. The wood is hopefully not rotten (though this can be replaced). The bunks of the trailer should extend PAST the edge of the transom (if not the hull can develop a hook which decreases performance and can cause leaks). Other than looking at the transom about all you can do is look it over really good unless the seller will allow you to fill the hull up with water to check for leaks (not likely).

If looking at a used motor, have the seller crank it up for you and make sure it idles smoothly and the water pump impeller pushes water easily. This is the "pee stream" that outboards make which is how the motor is cooled. The engine will have to be hooked up to a garden hose to supply water. If the motor doesn't idle smoothly and shift into gear, etc, then don't assign much value to the motor. Older two stroke motors are easy enough to work on, but don't buy a problem motor at a high price. If it's a two stroke and it wants to run but chokes out or only runs when revved up, it probably just needs a carburetor cleaning/tuning and maybe new spark plugs.

General tip: use only 100% gas (non-ethanol) and marine stabil in every tank... this will prevent a lot of motor issues.

If you want a mind-boggling amount of information on aluminum boats, visit www.tinboats.net

Good luck fordy!

...........Thanks ! I was just looking at the New prices for 2014 Mercury outboards.......a 25Hp EFI ~$4,500 ! They've lost their minds . , fordy

Appalachia · #27 08/04/14, 09:26 PM

I found a 4 year old honda four stroke 20 hp with about 10-15 hours on it for $2100 earlier this year. Deals are out there you just have to look and be ready to snap it up when it becomes available.

irondale · #28 08/04/14, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/4601134884.html

............This boat is in my price range and superficially , looks to be in fairly good shape ! What do ya'll think ?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/4595918908.html

............I like this one even more but it is $2,000 more ! , fordy

You are going to be a lot happier with the second boat.

Nimrod · #29 08/05/14, 10:36 AM

Many boats will come on the market around Labor Day or, in your case, a bit later. The prices will also be cheaper.

Try not to get the fixed glassy stare that many boat buyers get. Keep your wits about you and make a good buy.

I sold the 15hp Evinrude 2 stroke for $500. I bought the 4hp Evinrude light Twin plus an Evinrude 3hp from a friend for $150. Both have folding lower units and weedless skegs. The 4hp needed a new cover for the fuel pump and I put in a new water pump impeller. I haven't tried to get the 3hp running yet. The 16 foot Crestliner with the 35hp is worth about $2100. You don't see to many for sale because the owners don't sell them often. The point is that you can spend whatever you want on a boat and motor and still get something that works well.

big rockpile · #30 08/05/14, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-9

Based on your intended use (Lakes only) stay away from small boats they range from uncomfortable to down right dangerous on lakes particularly if there are recreational boaters out and about creating a lot of wake and not paying attention to what they are doing. If I buy another boat, it will be an 18 foot long modified john boat at least 72" wide but preferably 84" wide. I currently have a 15 foot grizzly that is 42 inches wide. It is fine for a recreational fishing boat for 2 people, if there are not a lot of big boats running around but if the water is rough from weather or other boats it isn't stable enough. Plus, I waterfowl hunt, trotline a little, and trap and the boat just doesn't have enough room for the associated gear. There is no disadvantage to a bigger boat on a lake, the smaller boats gain their advantage on rivers, creeks, and ponds. The biggest advantage of the bigger boats is added safety and since you state you are not a boat person, you will probably enjoy the extra stability the larger boat provides. Unless you are trying to tow the boat with a really small vehicle, there is not enough difference in the weight of the larger boat to make much of a difference unless you really load it down with gear and even then a 1/2 ton pick up will handle it fine.

Got to agree this is what my wife likes about my 18/60, if water is White Capping it is stable. I've had my Boat over loaded with 10 Big Adults, did fine.

I didn't like it though but I know if have to it will haul two Adults, couple Deer and or Hogs.

Characteristics of A Well Maintained Aluminum Fishing Boat? - Homesteading Questions

Plus bringing Big Fish in it is nice.

big rockpile

HuskyBoris · #31 08/05/14, 08:37 PM

I've got a 1968 Aerocraft 16ft tri hull,floats nice,pretty light for fiberglass,I paid 100 dollars for it with the trailer,no motor or seats but thats ok I am going to make a bass boat out of it anyhow.
I picked up a 35 horse Merc for it last moth for 100 dollars as well,,another couple hundred bucks and I will have th boat I want for a mere 400 bucks

btw someone mentioned putting a bilige in small boats on big lakes,,I wouldn't take anything less than 18 ft on Lake Michigan and even at 18 ft I would have my life vest on at all times,the wave action on it could swamp a small boat in a matter of seconds