1969 16' v project

[mjames76]

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I am going to re-power with a 70 rude that is on another boat. I think the 140 is a little much but I have a place for it on another boat. I was wondering what kind of water these boats will handle. I let a guy at work talk me into taking my 18' bass boat to the gulf coast last year to do some bay fishing and I will never forget that trip with the waves breaking over the bow and the bilge running constantly. I am hoping this one will be a little better since it is so much deeper. This is my first aluminum so I am looking for any info I can get.

Thanks

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1969 16' v project

Hi MJames,
I had a 16-foot SuperSport aluminum and it could be a kidney cruncher at times, but it wasn't too bad. Mine had basically the same hull as yours. It was worst if I wasn't paying close attention to boat wakes, etc. and hit one too fast or at the wrong angle. Same could be said for most boats, I guess. Mine was rated for 85hp if memory serves. I ran a 75hp Johnson on it and it performed nicely. Putting excessive power on it will literally rip it apart over time through loose rivets, etc., particularly if you're running more than inland lakes.
Overall, if I managed the waves a bit it wasn't a bad ride. I don't recall it taking water over the bow, even on the roughest of days. Keep in mind that it is a small, lightweight boat and will bounce around a bit. Interestingly, my 15-foot fiberglass Starcraft rides considerably better than the aluminum 16-footer did...

- Scott

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

Yea, I didnt figure it would ride very smooth with it being so light. I have some nice padded pedestal seats to put in it. If I can stay dry I think it will be worth it.

 

[John_S]

Re: 1969 16' v project

Looks like my 14'er's big brother. Ours pounds in chop and kicks up water off of front bow which the wind promptly returns to you. Maybe the larger hull helps significantly in that area.

Keep the pictures coming as you do the restore. Do you have to replace the floor?

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I have already took the floor out. I am trying to locate a walk thru windshield. The guy I bought it from took it off and destroyed it in the process. I am also going to need to build another console for the left side, he tore that up as well.

I had a 73 skeeter that would beat you to death so I am prepared for a rougher ride I been there.

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

new floor in and carpet is down still got a long way to go.

 

[jahughes]

Re: 1969 16' v project

You know, since you already have it all apart, and you're missing the left side console and the windshield, you might want to consider converting that little fella to a center console. I've got a 22 footer that's CC, I love it and I've seen a couple of the 16's set up that way as well, they look pretty good and if you're out by yourself you won't have to worry about your weight tilting the boat over to the right side, which happens on my 16' side console when I I'm out alone...

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I had thought about that, but I was worried about the controls. I dont want to have to buy all new ones.

I think the guy I bought it from has the other console and some other parts he has found. I am going to pick them up this weekend. He got started on the demo and decided he didnt have the time. I would like to find a windshield for it since he destroyed the old one when it was removed.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I still can't believe your boat had a 140 on it. My boat is very similar and I have an 85 on it which is the max it's rated for. That must have been insane!

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I dont know what it was like, I took that motor off as soon as I got it home, and put it on my bass boat. I now have a 70 on it. I think it will push it along just fine or at least I hope it will.

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

ezmobee,
What kind of prep work did you have to do before you painted the hull? I was thinking of painting mine but didnt want it to peel off the first time i hit the water.

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project

A few more pics of the progress made so far.

 

[mjames76]

Re: 1969 16' v project UPDATED

Re: 1969 16' v project UPDATED

dbl post edit

 

[travmaze]

Re: 1969 16' v project

hey, from another newbbie. I have just got a 69' same as mjames76 and I love those pics, I'm just putting in a new transom and almost ready to rivit my baby back together to check for more leaks (already found 2 Icansee day light through 2 matching 1/4" holes up front 1 on each side.) mjames 76 thank you for your pics and everyone else thanks for the info, I'm sure there are alot of guys like me that you help but you just don't know it. (not to mention this little bit took 15 min. to peck out! THANK YOU!!!

 

[gunner1]

Re: 1969 16' v project

A few more pics of the progress made so far.

That's a real nice bait tank. I've got one just like it with a KeepAlive oxygen infuser in it. I use it to keep my herring alive when I go striper fishing in the spring. BTW, how did you attach the new floor? I'm gonna be buying a 16' Starcraft soon and if it needs a new floor, I'd like to know how to install it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1969 16' v project

BTW, how did you attach the new floor? I'm gonna be buying a 16' Starcraft soon and if it needs a new floor, I'd like to know how to install it.

They have aluminum stringers in them. I just used deck screws which went through the plywood and right into the stringer. Very easy.

 

[gunner1]

Re: 1969 16' v project

They have aluminum stringers in them. I just used deck screws which went through the plywood and right into the stringer. Very easy.

Were they stainless? Did you put anything on the screws for a sealant? What thickness plywood did you use for the deck?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I used 3/4" pressure treated which may be overkill but it was what I took out. I'm not sure what deck screws are made out of but I know they don't rust. I used the tan painted ones from home depot. I didn't seal the deck or anything. I didn't know any better at the time. Hadn't found this forum yet.

 

[gunner1]

Re: 1969 16' v project

I used 3/4" pressure treated which may be overkill but it was what I took out. I'm not sure what deck screws are made out of but I know they don't rust. I used the tan painted ones from home depot. I didn't seal the deck or anything. I didn't know any better at the time. Hadn't found this forum yet.

The pressure treated plywood should hold up for a long time so there probably wasn't much need to seal it. I think that 3/4" is a good choice. It gives you a ery solid basefor walking on and screwing things to like pedastal posts for seats or holdind down your bait-tank.BTW, what do you use that bait-tank for?