1959 Crownline Resto Project

[cgraeler]

Hello everyone. A buddy of mine and I just bought a 1959 Crownline Sunday. We paid $300 for it with trailer and no moter, but have title for the trailer and boat.

Tonight I started pulling out some of the seats that someone made for it and started pulling up the floor someone put down that was just plywood.

I have read many articles on here and you guys are very informative and helpful. I hope I wont be too much of a pain in the ***** on here.

I know a lot of people have been asking questions about info on these old crownline and I haven't been able to find out much. I'd like to know what kind of motor might have come with it originally. I think im kind of SOL on trying to find emblems to put on it. Any info is helpful as always.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Welcome to iBoats!

Very similar to my old Lonestar Flamingo. Boy, That is one BIG Splashwell!!!!! Looks like you are in for a total restore but you will have a classic runabout when you're finished. I will be looking forward to following your restoration. Let me know if I can help in any way.

I'm just sayin...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Gonna be a heck of a project but that's a really neatly shaped hull. It will be a head turned all fixed up. I'm sure it had a nice big Johnson/Evinrude or Mercury on it originally. Looks like a Johnson or Evinrude control box that's in it now.

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Thanks guys. Yes, this is our winter project. Despite the pictures, the hull is in pretty good shape. This weekend we will try and get all the cleates off, horn, windshield, etc. and seperate the top from the hull. We will remove the wood from the transom that was replaced about 12 years ago and remove the rest of the seats.

If weather and time willing, I will go over the whole top and start sanding it down to the glass.

From what I read about this boat, it was rated to a 70HP max motor. When I put a new transom in I was going to glass in reinforcements for possibly a 70hp motor if I cannot find something similiar to the original.

It sucks that I can't really find much info about this old boat. So far I havent even found the Hull ID numbers, but I have a title for it....hmmm... I thought on most boats the ID # would be on the back by the transom.??? Maybe somewhere else?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

The older models were NOT required to have one. You do NOT have to sand the top down to the BARE glass if you are going to Paint it. If you are going to re0Gelcoat it then thats another matter.

I'm just sayin...

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

The older boats like mine were not requires to have a full ID? Then how does the title have a hull ID # on it?

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

I found an 100HP Mercury motor with tilt and trim here locally on another boat for $150.00. Besides checking compression and oil in the lower unit...anything else I should be checking?

I have added a pic for a little bit of a better reference. I am not sure that I will use this on the crownline...but it sure would be nice.

Also, according to the "spec sheet" a 16 footer could handle 140HP and my 15 footer was suppose to only handle 70hp. One I put a new transom in and glass in reinforcement from the transom to the hull I would think we'd be ok. Am I wrong?

Discuss...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

100 is a LOT for a 15'.

Your title may have a state-assigned ID number from some point. The boat could have had a serial number that was used. There just weren't standardized HIN numbers till '72.

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

So today we started taking of the rub rails and only got about halfway done. I also ripped on the front bench seat and starting taking off cletes and other things to be rechromed. So far things are going good. I was not able to salvage the old rub rail and will have to replace. Next weekend our plans are to seperate the body from the hull.

We have found that the original paint was red and will repaint the boat to that color once the fiberglass is finished how we want it and the transom is replaced and built up. We will also be adding a support under the front of the splashwell so people can sit without straining the fiberglass.

I will add pictures when I can.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

The strength of the transom is not the ONLY factor to consider when figuring the HP to put on your boat. I would NOT advise anything over 70 hp on a 15 ft boat. But that's just me. I ALWAYS put safety first.

I'm just sayin...

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

I understand the concern. This is a common issue that I see when people want to put something bigger and better on a small boat. I will not only be strengthening the transom, but I will be putting braces from the transom upwards on the hull. The way the hull is designed is actually very rigid.

Like I said before, I am not for sure deciding to put this motor on this boat, but it would be nice. The 16 footer crownlines were capable of handling up to 140hp. Just because of a little bit difference in transom and another foot on the boat?

Anyways, the motor is only $150.00 so why not get it if it has good compression?

Once we get all the rub rail off, will we have to cut anywhere to help seperate the body from the hull?

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Thats too heavy, the transom will sit too low in the water.
But you can always sell the motor later.

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

correct! I have seen people ask over 500 bucks for one of these...so why not get it for $150?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

The Cap MIGHT be adhered to the hull. Some are some are not. If it is, you can use a sawzall to Slice the bond between the Two. DO NOT cut the Cap off the hUll. Only use the saw to saw between the bonded seam area.

I'm just sayin...

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

I measured the transom today and it came out to about 16.5 inches. When I put in a new transom and if I make it as tall as the seam around the boat, it will come out to 20 inches tall. Should I go ahead and make the new transom taller? Or just leave it the height its at now?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Hmm that's a good question. Don't accidently limit your motor selection. I'm not sure if most motors in that size range are long shaft or short shaft. I would think you'd want your transom to suit the "typical" motor.

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Very good question I think...would like to hear more answers or suggestions.

I found a 1979 Chrysler 70HP outboard with controls. "Runs good" he says. He is asking 300 bucks for it. Is this something I should consider or keep looking?

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Has anyone had any experience with this Fiberglass Reinforced Filler from 3M?

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=P26394J3K5gs9FJFL5HG9DglK4GRN54LHSbl

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

Make your own with resin and cabosil, cut glass mat with scissors and mix in, add catalyst last. Mucho cheaper.

 

[cgraeler]

Re: 1959 Crownline Resto Project

A long awaited update. Had a baby boy in september and work has been crazy this past year, however I have not given up on the old boat. We have the hull seperated from the top, transom is removed and being rebuild, pieces are out for finishing and chrome, bought an 80HP mercury to go on the boat. The top lid has had all the holes put in it by previous owners filled and fiberglassed in. Boat will be ready for paint either this weekend or next. I did find out that the tilt trailer we have is the original trailer and we will be sandblasting that and repainting.