Re: Got Aerocraft?
Nothing yet, I'm afraid. I guess most of these have been melted down by now. They clearly aren't as popular as some of the other makes of aluminum boat. Luckily the boat is simple enough that a big collector community isn't necessary to be able to keep it up and running.
We've now got the "correct" quick-disconnect for the Johnson tiller so we no longer have to uncouple and fight the steering cables when we remove the outboard, and we've replaced a couple of faulty (leaky) rivets. Also picked up a neat little OEM Johnson towing eye that attaches to the outboard; haven't seen one before. I'm hoping I can use it to drag a tube and rider through the water without putting too big of a load on the transom. We discovered a leak in the Johnson FD-15 lower unit so we haven't had it on the water in the last six weeks or so. I'm rebuilding a "spare" lower unit that I picked up on eBay, mostly as practice before tacking the same task on the original lower unit. I think we'll still get in a couple of floats yet this year, weather permitting. If not, that's OK too.
The wood on the transom (both inboard and outboard) really is on its last legs. I don't think it's supporting the outboard properly. Lucky for me, there's a place just down the road that specializes in marine-grade woods, so I need to pop down there this week and get a sheet of 3/4" marine-grade Douglas Fir. Looks like I'll have plenty extra if anybody needs about a 4' x 4' section. I already have the rivets I need in hand, so once the wood is got it should be a one-day job to get it replaced. Should be.
I'd love to find one of the vintage transom plates (377427) listed in the Accessories Catalog for my year of motor. There's a couple of places that claim to have it, but I suspect it's not going to be the same as the original style.
If I get a chance I'll post some pictures of the more interesting parts of the boat, just for other folks to refer to if need be.