old aluminum boats

Hello everyone,
I joined on the forum to find out about the old aluminum boats. I am thinking of buying a boat and I saw an old Orlando Clipper for sale. I don't know why, but I just like the way this boat looks. Its suppose to be in great shape and ready to go. I don't know much about boats, so if anybody has any advice? My friends say it looks like the SS Minow. I like old stuff and I think it would go great with my 52 F1. Its 17ft with built in seats and a 60 hp johnson. I got a wife and 3 kids, so I don't know if we'd all fit?(this could be good, right?) Anything to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

Ga Water

Re: old aluminum boats

buying and using an old boat is lot like buying and usnig an old car. There will be work to do, parts and places worn out needing repair, dependability risks on the motor, steering and electrical, and often a lot of down time. Like using an old vehicle, you have to decide if you are going to restore and/or keep it in vintage condition (which is hard with family use unless you want to be a Captain Bligh) or let it be a beater (it can be very relaxing to have a beater and not worry about anything!). Older models are often not as comfortable and may have sharp edges, etc. that have been improved in newer boats.

My family had 2 old Starcraft aluminum 16' bow riders with 55 Johnsons on them, when I was growing up. There were plusses and minuses to having them, but we had fun, and dealt with problems. Being lighter than fiberglass or wood, you could get away with a smaller motor. We did everything on them--my friends and I would even sleep on it back in high school when we'd raft up boat parties--my parents wouldn't!

As for aluminums, being a salt water guy, we find the old ones often have corrosion issues and leaks, seperated parts, etc. and don't take the beating from chop very well, so they are not favorites here. But the lake guys run them forever and many are as solid today as they were 40 years ago.

Re: old aluminum boats

Oh, I should have included this would be a fresh water lake boat. Is there any way to value these? The only other ones I've seen are bare hulls lying around in someones backyard and a couple of restored ones on here.

Gawater