1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

My early 50's Duracraft Duraflite. Going to strip paint and completely restore. Anybody have one that looks like it that knows the year it was made?

tomdinwv · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Can't help with your questions but that is a cool looking boat you have there.
Welcome to iboats.

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Thanks, I plan on putting it back original (whatever that is LOL) This is a great site, I'm glad to be part of it.

1973Chieftain · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

It has aspects about it that look like an Aerocraft... have you looked through pics of them? One of our members upkeeps an excellent page with tons of info on AC's http://www.ultimate.com/aerocraft-boats/

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

It's a Duracraft

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Kim Ward (son of one of the founders of Duracraft) said it's a Duraflite model.

1973Chieftain · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

I've seen a few aluminum Caddilac boats that had some rounding at the stern.. not sure how much info is out there about them though.

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Thanks, Chieftain, I'm having fun looking at a lot of cool old boats.

Bergy37 · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Here's a gallery of old aluminums I stumbled on: http://www.theclassicboathouse.com/galleryaluminum.html. Yours looks very similar to a Verhoef or Richline, but nothing that jumps out and says "hey, it's me!".

TruckDrivingFool · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

I was thinking AeroCraft at first too but that splash rail is pretty distinct and the AC's all seem to run horizontal to the gunnel and not sloped like yours. So now thinking Aluma or Feathercraft. Saw one that had an identical stern but can't remember what the rail looked like. It was in the resto forum but can't find it again if it comes up again I'll try to remember to post a link. Unless of course you find it first.

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Thanks Bergy37, Great site!I'm still thinking it is older than any of those.

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Truckdrivingfool, I think you are on to something, I've seen quite a number of bows that look almost the same, I've been thinking that the stern would be the key because it is so different than the others. You know I'll be searching the resto forum from start to end

silver_bay · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

1973Chieftain said:
It has aspects about it that look like an Aerocraft... have you looked through pics of them? One of our members upkeeps an excellent page with tons of info on AC's http://www.ultimate.com/aerocraft-boats/

Thanks Chief! That's my page.... I agree it's definitely Aerocrafty.... Especially the transom, and the side view.
BUT I've never seen gunwales like that on a rowboat. Sometimes fancier models had their decks ripped out, and
their are fancy models I've never seen photos of.

The "spray rail" or whatever it's called, was horizontal in some models, and swooped up on others.

Does it have a bow handle? If so, post a photo of it, that could help with the ID.

TruckDrivingFool · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

I had a long drawn out detective story for ya but I hit the wrong button. Short retype this on CL led me to look at Bergy's link check out some of the Lonestar runabouts.

TruckDrivingFool · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

I'll add - I think we definitely need way more pics.

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

It does have a bow handle, and it used to have a steering wheel. The enclosed bow cover has also been modified, it has been cut and the dash panel moved forward (something I plan on correcting) it used to curve where it meets the sides right at the same place that the windshield (that someone removed) mounted I also plan on replacing it. i've attaced a picture of the handle. Thanksfor all you guys help.View attachment 143975

I think the four holes on the dash might have possibly been where a name plate was riveted?

1973Chieftain · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Is it my phone, or is the pic of the handle not working?

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

Dang, it was just there! Here goes again

m casey stock · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

TruckDrivingFool said:
I had a long drawn out detective story for ya but I hit the wrong button. Short retype this on CL led me to look at Bergy's link check out some of the Lonestar runabouts.

I understand, happens to me all the time

GA_Boater · Apr 30, 2012

Re: 1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

I didn't see the library at Fiberglassics.com mentioned. Plenty of tinnies to look at there.

1940's or 50's, 60's ??? aluminum runabout

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