1965 fiberglass Alumacraft

[Eufaula Frank]

Back in February of this year, 2012 I picked up a 16' 1965 fiberglass Alumacraft with a 70 hp Chrysler motor. I just happened across it on Craigslist. I let the ad ride for a few days then called the guy to see if he still had it. Long story short, I picked it up for $500.00. The day I brought her home.

You gotta love a boat with a windshield wiper, ha

The interior was all there and really in better condition than most boats her age

The windshield and seen some wear and was pretty cloudy

The trailer wasn't adjusted to fit the boat and hung off 1 1/2' off the back. Someone had removed the bunks and installed rollers which made the boat sit way too high on the trailer and would have made it difficult to launch.

 

[Eufaula Frank]

Re: 1965 fiberglass Alumacraft

I removed all the interior and stored it while I took care of hull and mechanical issues. I put the boat up on blocks so I had easy access to the keel and chines and could work on shining up the hull.

I started by seeing what kind of shine I was gonna be able to restore to the hull and top. I started with 800#, then moved to 1000# then 1500#. I finished that off with a paste wax and a power buffer. I'm pleased with the results.

It's hard to take a picture of "shine" but it came out very shiny and smooth.

Of course I had some soft spots in the floor that I had to address and I knew that the flotation was water logged and would have to be removed

I had some worn spots on the keel and chines that I had to patch. The small ones I just used epoxy on and on one spot where it had worn through I re-glassed. I finished off the bottom with white pigmented shellac.

I wanted to see if I could improve the looks of the windshield. I'm a glazier by trade so I'm used to working with plastics. I bought a headlight lens restore kit, it came with a power ball and scratch remover compound. I started with that and then it was really screwed up! Swirl marks all over it. I then moved to white rubbing compound and the power ball, I started to make progress. Finally I went back to the scratch remover and a smooth pad on my buffer, I finally got a decent look.

I removed all of the old wiring, installed a fuse box with a main and individual fuses for each component and grounding block.

 

[Eufaula Frank]

Re: 1965 fiberglass Alumacraft

Even though the original interior was far from new I wanted to try and preserve as much of it as I could and I felt like with proper care I could get a few more years out of it. Some of the covers I was able to remove and sew up with my machine. Some I stitched up by hand and some of the tears I just had to leave. It gets so hot here in Oklahoma that you have to keep a towel over the seats most of the time anyway. The seat bases were all trashed so I had to build new ones. I went back and forth in my mind about going back with OEM floor covering or carpet. I decided on the carpet since it does stay cooler and isn't so slippery. I found what I think is a nice match and I used that to cover my seat bases too.

I removed the rollers and cut the wench off. I installed new carpeted bunks and moved the boat forward on the trailer and had the wench re-welded. I'm a tad heavy on the tongue so I may move the axle forward about an inch or so to give it a better weight ratio. I've still got a few dents and dings on the fenders then I'll give the trailer a fresh coat of paint.

Anyway I'm pleased with the results and it should turn an eye or two on the lake. Yes I replaced the impeller and I've serviced and tested the motor. All in all I think I'm good to go and am looking forward to "cruising" the beaches, ha

thanks for looking, Frank

 

[blubing]

Re: 1965 fiberglass Alumacraft

Great looking old Alumacraft. Nice work.