My first boat

So I turned 23 yesterday, I bought my first boat as a type of birthday present. I got a 15' aluminum 1970 seacraft with a1984, 4 stroke 75 horsepower evinrude that still runs. I bought this baby for 300 bucks however, it needs a lot of work. I am really excited on this project and I am really counting on some advise. I will post some pictures this weekend when I start work after class.

First questions pertaining to work this weekend.
I read the first thing to do when getting a boat project is to check for leaks and tighten rivets. the floor is completely removed already so before rebuilding how is the best way to tighten rivets? I read somewhere a hammer and a brick on the other end?

After the hull is leak free I was going to sand any corrosion (sand paper and mineral spirits) that might be there from previous years of still water. After that I read you should apply polyurethane resin? If thats not right any suggestions?

Lastly for this weekend I would like to take the outboard off of the hull for various reasons during the restoration. Does anyone have plans or tips on how I could build an outboard stand with lumber.

Thanks everyone, I am new to the community and look forward to everything you can offer, and one day look forward to offering advise.

Re: My first boat

JT, welcome to Iboats first and foremost!

Sounds like you've got a good solid start in the world of boating, and starting asking questions here is the best chance of doing things right the first time.

You won't need poly so much as you will want to consider a product like Gluvit for all the seams inside your boat if you want to ensure its water-proofness as insurance to anything you might have missed. Filling the hull with water and looking for leaks isn't always going to tell you where they all are, as water pushing in from outside of the boat is a different force upon any leak vs water pushing from the inside out.

If anything, take the hull down to your local dock and tie it up for a half an hour. If it's dry, they you are good to go! Chances are slim any leaks will present themselves down the road unless you strike an underwater object and loosen a rivet or seam.

Building a stand is pretty standard stuff. You'll want to get 4 sturdy swivel wheels ( don't cheap out on tiny little things that will hang up on a crack in the driveway ) and a few 2x4's and a piece of 3/4 ply for the motor to hang on. You can build it like a tank, or you can do a search for outboard motor stands on the internet...plenty of ideas out there...just make sure you build it high enough for the skeg to clear the ground ( that's the fin on the bottom of the boat ).

When I built my stand for an old 115 hp Chysler, I just used 3 inch deck screws to put it together.

Re: My first boat

use this one http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=266570

i use it and just had a 55hp on there and right now i have a 90 hp on there. the way it leans makes the motor stand the way it does when its on the transom so it makes it easy to do all the maintenance to it.

I can't help at all with the boat because i have no idea with aluminum lol.. but the rude i can deff help cuz i have a johnson and a rude.

Re: My first boat

I don't think Evinrude made any 4-strokes in 1984....you better double check that!!!! Would love to see pics on the boat.

Re: My first boat

WOW! quick responses So here is a picture of her. I only took one in all of the excitement....I will take some more tomorrow of the engine and the before and after of the dirty-clean hull. Thanks for all the great advice.....I am going to start building the stand tomorrow so I can get the outboard off.

Really good idea about dropping it in the water. I am an engineering major and for some reason, didn't even think about different pressure levels. I will have to drop it in the back yard real quick to see what I am dealing with.

Re: My first boat

Sure looks like Starcraft to me!!!!

Re: My first boat

ezmobee said:

Sure looks like Starcraft to me!!!!

Click to expand...

Don't they all?

Re: My first boat

That looks like the Sea King (starcraft) I just brought home today. Can you post a pic of the transom?

Re: My first boat

Sorry this took me so long to post, been a hell of a week at school.

Re: My first boat

2 stroke 4 cylinder.

Nice boat...

Re: My first boat

Yeah, if you bought a 1984 4-stroke outboard for $300, that's a steal, because that would be a priceless artifact

Re: My first boat

Hello and welcome. your boat looks alot like my 63 starcraft jupiter including the color.