1982 Almar aluminum inboard

[47pilot]

This is a follow up from my initial thread. I plan to post my progress here. I have a 1982 aluminum 16" inboard jet, made primarily for Alaskan / Northern rivers. Its got a 2.3 ford 4 banger and 210 original hours, and other than some Bennet tabs, a Humminbird fish finder, an old inop VHF radio and kicker motor mount, its all original. Its sat on land most its life. The only wood on this boat is the deck and doghouse, and that wood is thoroughly resin coated and still completely solid. My plan is to first make it more comfortable, (better seats and canvas top.) Second phase will be rewiring and modernizing he cockpit. Phase 3 will add vinyl flooring and new trim / doghouse upholstery. Once done there, I'll be in about 9k total, including purchase. Phase 4 will be an expensive jump, but that will be the conversion of a 4.3 V-6. That will only happen at the beginning of next summer, if I have the money and a donor engine, and really think I need it. If it can pull me up on a wakeboard and cruise upstream with little hinderance, I'll likely keep the 4 banger for awhile.

I'm not new to boating, nor researching and restoring, and I did some serious local research before buying this. My opinion of aluminum boats had definitely changed. I knew exactly what I wanted, and what I wanted to pay, and I more or less lucked out, thanks to Craig's list. I also strongly encourage anyone serious about buying a used boat to do some research and also have it looked over by a reputable local boat expert.


Most of you in the lower 48 never have seen a boat like this, so I think this will make for an interesting thread.


Craigslist pictures.

Driveway pics

 

[47pilot]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

To anyone knowledgeable in aluminum metal fabrication, these pics should speak for themselves:

 

[47pilot]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Electrical area needs work. Still debating on how I want to fabricate the new panel. Electrical is my specialty, which is a burden as well, because it gives me too many damn options.

Original ugly marine fabric. Plan to replace with vinyl. Debating on even sewing my own.

Old seats. New ones going in tomorrow. Also mounting new flush mount seat base pedestals, so seats / pedestals can be completely removed, and cots can be laid down for overnight trips.

Hint: Always use brass threadserts to secure your new seat pedestal; They are much stronger than just screwing a wood screw into the deck, and if you later decide to change your deck covering down the road, be it vinyl or carpet, you don't have to worry about redrilling or wearing out the threads in the original wooden floor when you go to reinstall your seat pedestals. Instead, you just use the same stainless machine screws, with a drop of blue Locktite on the threads to keep them in place.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Almar made good boats, I have several friends with them, none look like yours though.



Make sure you keep us updated on the progress.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Nice boat

PLEASE Go back and RE-SIZE the photos to 640 x 480 or the image codes will be removed.

Thanks.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Nice boat. Your right about not seeing a lot of boats like that around here. I like it though it looks really sturdy and the welds look super tough.

 

[47pilot]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Upon drilling through the plywood floor today to install the seat bases, I found that the entire plywood floor also has a layer of 3/16" sheet aluminum directly under it. Weird.

 

[redfury]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

You can call it "almar the tank"

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

Upon drilling through the plywood floor today to install the seat bases, I found that the entire plywood floor also has a layer of 3/16" sheet aluminum directly under it. Weird.

That's called the hull, so be carefull.. LOL



Aluminum decks can be slippery and very reflective, so some times they get covered.

 

[47pilot]

Re: 1982 Almar aluminum inboard

That's called the hull, so be carefull.. LOL



Aluminum decks can be slippery and very reflective, so some times they get covered.

I got through it ok, and found several inches below that with the normal foam flotation material. All the reading in here and people at the local boat shop indicated most boats have only a layer of plywood flooring attached to the stringers. Wasn't expecting an additional aluminum deck beneath the plywood as well. Obviously didn't use the threadserts. No wonder I never felt any soft spots, lol.