57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

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58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Want to say thanks for everyone who has viewed this project. I appreciate the interest.
To start, I have spent alot of time evaluating the condition of this boat top to bottom. My fist goa,l take detaied digital pictures of every inch of the boat so as it goes back together, I will have a good reference to go by. I will only include the most interesting pics in my posts due to space. Any pictures by fellow RD owners of other RD's and their innermost working would be greatly appreciated.

First goal was to remove all the hardware and corroded pieces. I didn't throw anything away yet cause I don't know how hard it will be to replace (might need patterns one day also). I have attached some pictures of the progress as it moves along.

As I get more intimate with the boat, I am becoming concerned about the top to gunwall fit. There was a reason for all the extra screws and blind rivets that were installed by subsequant owners. I will be digging into this in my next post along with pictures.

More to follow.
 

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JoeMan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
322
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Thanks for posting. Yep...don't throw ANYthing away. You'll find that most old hardware is hard to replace with vintage.
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Thanks for the interest. I am still working on the boat. I have made great progress and will start posting updates from the compiled pictures. I have purchased a couple of engines and trying to decide which to put on the boat. A 1957 Johnson 18 hp and a 1959 Evinrude 35 hp big twin. I know most folks think the 59 and later Evinrude motor covers look goofy, but I think they are cool in a retro way. It was definently a styling transition from the old design to new.
 

kfa4303

Banned
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
6,094
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

CAn't go wrong with either motor. The '57 18 hp is one of the all time greats. They look cool and have lots of power for their size. The 35 hp is nice too, but probably about the max the boat can handle, but should easily get up to at least warp 4-5 :) Here are some handy links for getting those old gems up and running. You can get any parts right here at iboats.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index6.htm
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377022/37702200001.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/columns/max/24/index.cfm
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...evinrude-johnson/ITEM_2978/ITEM_297800001.htm

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...hnson 5.5 HP 1954-1964 Carburetor Tune-UP.htm
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

What a great resource for information. This project has been a pleasure to work on with everyone's help and resources.
I keep waffling back and forth on which engine to use. They both are in about the same condition. The Sealine runabout deluxe was more of a sport boat with the enclosed top rather than a multipurpose open hull. I am open to suggestions anyone.
 

jamesgduratech

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 5, 2011
Messages
76
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Well, choosing the motor can be difficult. If you are going to add tons of cool stuff that will weigh it down, use the 35. If you are just keeping it simple, then use the 18 because mine only has a 15 and it's almost at 35 mph. Unfourtunatly, my mom says it's too dangerous for me to have a bigger motor. Probably because I'm 12.
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Thanks James. Can you send some pictures of your boat. The front looks interesting.
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

It has been a long time since I posted any updates to the project but it is still moving along great.
Once I got the top off I went to work wire brushing and sanding 54 years of neglect and oxidation from the two halves of the boat. I decided to take the boat down to bare metal and use alumaprep to do the final cleaning of the aluminum befor applying alodine to etch the bare metal. This is probably one of the best methods of treating bare aluminum befor painting or coating. There are alot of health and environmental concerns to take into consideration when using this product so anyone contemplating this method may want to consider all the precations that are associated.
The alodine leaves a translucent gold finish to the metal and acts as a primer for topcoating. Both top and bottom were treated. I still used an aluminum primer as a extra step befor painting.
 

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58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

The project is moving along quickly now. I have the bottom and tophull prepped and painted and back together again. The pictures shows the progress with the plywood seats. Befor the boat top could be fastened to the bottom the seats needed to be cut out and fitted. Both seat back's shape is critical because the back seat dictates the contour of the top of the hull where the seat back top meats the hull. While looking at the contour of the front of the boat's top hull at the windshield area and extrapolating this curvature across the cockpit to the back of the boat's top, the rear seat and the front seat will hold the top of the hulls curvature on this immaginary plane. Also, the backrest portion of the front seat acts as additional support to the top in those areas since the seat back protrudes under the aluminum top and the top rest on it. Same with the back seat. After I got the seat back's shape correctt, I gave all four pieces a good two coats of epoxy paint to waterproof them.
Also the transome is finished. The boat apears to be designed to use two pieces of 3/4 inch wood, one on the outside of the hull and one on the inside. I gave these a good two coats of epoxy paint also.The way the top is made, there are brackets that screw into the inside piece of transome wood to provide structural strength to the top. The outside lip of the top's corners screws to the outside piece of transome wood to give the corners some rigidity. The rear outside corners of the aluminum top of this boat have no structural support under them other than the portion of the transome that extends outwards from the stern center to the outside edges of the boat. The rubrail provides a little support once attached to the top, But not much. All the pictures I've seen of the runabout deluxes do not have any gusseting on the rear corners but I plan to make a couple to help protect the corners in case I am docking in the wind and get blown back into the dock or whatever.
 

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58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

I wanted to post a few more pics of the seats after the epoxy coating.
Before I permantantly attached the top hull to the bottom I separated the two partially and injected some 5200 sealant in between the two sections to give it extra strength and rigidity. I used 1/2 inch long #10 stainless steel screws to fasten the top hull to the gunwale. I used a product like great stuff foam insulation to fill the channel on top of the gunwale where the top is mounted to increase flotability if ever swamped.
I would like some sugjestions from anyone reading this entry on the final coating/paint for the top. I would like this project to remain as original as possible but since the original top was unsalvagable, What are everyones thoughts on a coating?
 

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58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Well it is close. I still have a few odds and ends to finish up including cushions and Engine but the hard work is done. She turned out great. BTW, the trailer is a restored 1973 Murray. Attached are some before and after pictures. I think I'm going to call her "Lil Suzy" after my ever so patient wife Brenda Sue.
 

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kfa4303

Banned
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
6,094
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Wowza!!!!! She looks great 58! That ('57?) 18 hp Johnson should push her along nicely too. I'd love to see some pics of her out on the open water. Be prepared for lots of folks oohing and ahhing at the ramp too. Have you thought of a name?
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Thanks, Once she's finished I will post some pics and links. Send me a picture of your boat if you would. The avatar is a little small to get a good look at it.
Thanks,
TOm
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

I wanted to thank you for these links. Lot's of good information. I could do this project without it.
Tom
 

kfa4303

Banned
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
6,094
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

No problemo. Here are some pics of my boat. She's nothing special. Just an old tinny with a 2-stroke.

0915121752-01.jpg


0915121750-01.jpg


Newriverandtalquinpics066.jpg


BeachShot3.jpg
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Thanks for the pics. I bet you have caught allot of fish out that boat. Looks very comfortable. What year and make is it?
 

kfa4303

Banned
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
6,094
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

She's a 1959-60 (?) Arkansas Traveler DUT-14 ski boat/runabout (I think) with a 1966 20 hp Johnson outboard. I believe she started her life off looking something like this:

AT-aluminum-DUT-14 color pic.jpg

As you can see, she looks a lot different now. I added new 3/4" plywood benches, forward bulkhead and casting deck. I then added some accessories to make running her easier like the PVC tiller extender, grab bar, push pole clips and rod holders, all of which make running the boat a breeze. I love using the long tiller to stand while underway and/or to use while sitting on my rear bench cooler/seat/storage locker. I eventually put the motor on a homemade aluminum transom riser, as well. It didn't make her much faster per se, but she gets on plane more quickly, has a shallower draft and steers more easily.

All and all she's pretty zippy and lots of fun to zoom around in. She hops up on plane in about 6 seconds and will max out at +20 mph with a light load and can run around all day on 3 gallons of gas. I actually have a video I put together, but I can't seem to get MS movie maker to render it completely :/

I see you're in Oviedo (watch our for the wild chickens! ), I'm way up north in Tallahassee. We'll have to meet in the middle one day.

Thanks for the kind words.
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

Any time. If your ever in Oviedo we'll have to meet at Popies Chicken joint. They put all those chickens to good use :facepalm: The bow of yur boat is very interesting. It has more of a blunt point to the front instead of the usual long taper to it. I like boats that have individual character.
Take care,
Tom
 

58sealine

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
40
Re: 57 Sealine RD Restoration Project

I watched the video. Very cool. That 20 hp really moves that boat. And the music is good. Im not a total geezer yet :)
I'm a skinny water person too. I am a native Floridian born and raised third generation here near Lake Jesup in Oviedo. Grew up on the old lake long befor the expressway went over it.
I have a small aluminum 12 ft shallow V (cant find any ID on it yet) I just picked up with only the rear bench seat still in it. Kinda a blank canvas. I would like to convert it into a nimble little creak boat that I can stand up in and move around. I'm open to sugjestions.
 
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