A "small" aluminum boat, about 14 ft long, used previously for recreational fishing on fresh water lakes and ponds, with an apparent heavy gauge aluminum, riveted construction, and stored most of its life upside down under trees in a back yard in mostly shade, dry condition. It is up for sale for a next to nothing price. Are these types of boats after having been stored so long typically still watertight, or do they require some sort of restoration process to be made safe for recreational fresh water fishing on small bodies of water, assuming there is no visible damage or structural issues ? I assume a good cleaning, and some type of descaling before painting to seal any small leaks on the rivet seams, might be good enough ? I've never used any kind of blasting equipment for cleaning aluminum, and I don't even know if this is what pro boat people would use to refresh an old boat like this. The nice thing about this boat is that it is not light duty, has a wide beam, nice semi V shallow draft hull, and a nice wide HD looking transom.

I'm not a boater and am not qualified to run a boat in any situation that would require any water and navigation skills, but for putting in on a small lake or river at a local marina for some freshwater fishing, I'm guessing this could be done safely.

What do you guys know about this type of situation ?

Also, another factor is I'm not interested in starting a an entirely new expense category, so maybe that answers the question already.

Any and all knowledge and advice appreciated, since I know lots of you guys on the great Sigforum will know the answers to these questions.

My experience with boats is this: No matter how cheap you get it, you will put $$$ into it after you get it! And is there a trailer with it?

The older ones were designed for two stroke motors which didn’t weigh nearly what four stroke motors do. The one we have says it’s rated for up to 35hp, but there’s no way I’d hang a 35hp four stroke on it. Any of the 20hp four strokes at about 100lbs would be about right.

Despite that, we put a 25hp on ours:



Other than the motor, we have not put a dime into it.

How old is old? Even 20 25 year old boats are still holding good resale value. If it's heavy gauge aluminum as you describe as long as there is no apparent visible damage like a large rock hit it you will probably be good. When it comes to aluminum boats often times older is better. They don't build em like they used to applies here.

Small leaks if any are easily repaired with an aluminum boat sealer. Sounds like a great way to get introduced to boating and fishing. Beware though once the bug bites you can be separated from a lot of your money. Much like what guns will do. Always something better and more shiny.

It's prob 35 years old or more, original owners. I don't know if it comes with a trailer or not.

So, what is an aluminum boat sealer ? Is it a spray on or brush on product ? I'd assume it's a high tech polymer of some sort. And is it different than paint, or a primer of sorts under the paint, or a sealer under the primer ?

I say go for it! I have owned many aluminum boats and canoes over the years, and two now. If you get it put some thin plywood flooring in it to spread the people weight, walking on the rivets can cause problems over time. Also may want to ask about or price a trailer, 14' and a motor and tank is too much to man handle out of a truck bed or utility trailer. Good luck!!

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

we put a 25hp on ours

<picture of 14' AlumaCraft>

How many friends is your wife's sister bringing?

Ha ! Like John Candy in "The Great Outdoors".

If I found a deal like this, I'd take it!

Even if he didn’t mean it this way, lastmanstanding raises a good point: our 16' Lund is built better than they used to be because it was design with four stroke motors in mind.

I don’t know about aluminum boat sealer. My understanding is if it leaks, you have someone back the rivets with a block of some sort while you hammer them a bit. I’ve yet to need to do this.

You need to look at the transom carefully. That’s the back of the boat where the motor would be mounted. They’re usually wood and stored upside down outside is not great for wood. It’s a bit of a project, but it can be replaced if you are handy.

Personally, I like the small aluminum utility boats. They get you on the water for not much money, they trailer easy, they’re easy on gas, and they are relatively simple to maintain. If you found a good one, get it.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
<picture of 14' AlumaCraft>

How many friends is your wife's sister bringing?

The sister and her friends have standards which the F14 does not meet and I’m good with that.

My boys aren’t as picky:

16’ Lund in Florida:

Under the Overseas Highway with Fish Boy:


College Boy:


Fish Boy:


14’ Alumacraft in Michigan:

Fish Boy on a small lake:


Fish Boy on a big lake, Lake Huron:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

I don’t know if this is an option for you. Here’s my advice to do a basic crude leak check. Flip I right side up and fill the floor area with a garden hose and look for seepage. Then turn it a bit to each side to do the same.
Not perfect but might give you some warning if the leakage is bad.

^^^^^Good advice to fill the hull with water if the owner will stand for it and he should.

I've got a 16' aluminum Sea Nymph with a 25HP 2-stroke Evinrude on it, tiller steer. It was made in 1993-ish, and I've owned it since 2014. I bought it for $1800 with a trailer. During that time, I've put a couple of batteries in it and replaced the trolling motor. I change the lower unit oil every winter, and have put a couple of impellers in it as preventative maintenance, but I've never had one actually fail. I don't know about leaks because I've never had to deal with any.

People talk all the time about how boats are a money pit, etc. etc. but that's not been the case with this one. It's provided hours of entertainment for me and the kids and has cost me next to nothing. They're simple designs, very little to go wrong, and easy to fix if it does. I'd jump on it if it seems solid.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 92fstech,

It sounds like a good deal. You’re into it for not much money if it’s leak tight.

many moons ago I had an aluminum jon boat,
was my brohters,

worked great, very thick alloy,
did have a crack or spot appear on the back that we used a self tapping screw and a peice of innertube to fix,

did replace the trunnion, since the plywood rotted with new plywood,

years later I had and sold another 12 for or so jonboat, did the same,
then got a 14 foot, and did the same

sold that one and got a fiberglass Gheenoe (15-6 or so) that I still have


only thing about the alloy jonboats is they ring like a bell in water,

if the trunnion rots out, about 2 hrs and you have a new one,

it it gets a hole from dragging it over rocks in the river or from tossing it in and out of a pickup, then a few self tapping screws and a chunk of innertube fix that,

You need to see if a trailer comes with it and how about titles for the boat and trailer if your state requires them. Tires will need replaced if they are more than 8 or so years old. Bearings on the trailer will need repacked. I see a lot of complete outfits for sale here pretty reasonable indicating that it might be a buyer's market. Boating can be a lot of fun and if you are handy it's not that expensive. Engine repairs can be costly. Sometimes buying a complete outfit costs less than buying piece by piece.

If the price is less than the recycling value, you really can't lose.

Hells yeah!

Set it upright, add water and look for leaks.
Leaks can be fixed with silicone sealant or rubber and a riveted sheet metal patch.

The only real weakness is the transom and if you aren’t putting a big engine on it, it is probably not s concern. 14 ft is a good size to haul around in the back of a pickup truck.

I think you’re good to go. I’ve lived in south Louisiana my entire life, and in 50 years I’ve never seen or heard of a small aluminum boat going bad. I’ve never seen one in the trash pile.

I know you said you plan limited use, but if you’ll ever take it where you can’t comfortably swim back, I highly recommend that you get some basic boating education. And I’d highly recommend navigation lights on it, even if not legally required. That’s red/green for port/starboard and a white anchor light. These are for other boats to see you.

I would discourage the acquisition a .
As you will spend an additional $3,000.00 -$3,800.
To get it the way you want it.

There is a trailer in there as well.


But, if you've never had a boat and will be out on
a favorite waterway
three times per month,
Go ahead ,live the dream it's only money.