New guy with old boat and motor

[dalee]

Hi,

My first post! I'm a newbie to old boat work. And I'm looking for advice and guidance in a project I have just acquired. I seem to have rescued this boat, motor, and trailer from a one way trip to the dump. And I wish to try and restore it as well as I can. It has been shedded for many years and is structurally sound, though the paint and seats are shot.

What I can tell about it so far is that I have a Larson, (Little Falls Mn), run-about with a '57 Evinrude 35hp Lark, (#25532). I have the year of the motor, which was easy enough to find on the 'net. But I know little about the boat so far. No model name or serial number can be found so far. So any information there would be a help.

Some photos.
Boat and trailer


Motor


Damages




She is dirty and needs paint. The motor, while free, hasn't been run in years. I was told they stripped a plug thread when trying to tune it up. And they just quit using the boat at that point. Placing the motor on a stand in the garage and the boat in a shed.

I would like to know the approximate age of the boat if possible, (earliest license sticker says 1966), and model name if one. I would love to see a sales brochure picture too if they exist.

Advice I think I will need at some point is seat building and covering, (materials and techniques), 101 and hull prep and painting 101. As I am pretty clueless about these subjects. The motor will be a longer term project and I might re-power the boat with something newer for more general use.

My skills and tools are: Tool maker and I have a small metal lathe, small mill, and drill press at home, 120v MIG, 220V stick welder. Small table saw, miter saw, small band saw, and hand tools. And I'm not afraid to use any of them.

Any and all comments, advice, jokes, and free will donations gladly accepted.:lol:

Thank You,
dalee

 

[lokonn]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Welcome to iboats. Cool looking set up. The glass guys will show up soon and give you all the info they can. This place is a great resource. Make sure to post your progress!

 

[gm280]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Well first this is welcome to iboats :welcome: good to see another boater on board...

Well I don't know the year of your boat, but from the provided pictures it does seem like you have got yourself a long project to work on now. If you are serious about bringing that rig back to life and not afraid of a lot of dirty, smelly, sweaty, tiresome work, then you came to the best forums on the web for information and directions. You will also spend more money then you would think to accomplish your goal. But if you're not intimidated already, get ready to start. You COULD have a HIN (Hull Identification Number) plate on the back starboard (right-hand) side of the outside of the transom. Of course that also depends on how old it really is too. I think they started using them in the 60's. So you may have one or not... If you do happen to have that metal plate (actually more of a metal strip) then you can research that number for the manufacture and year it was built. See how old the boat does look, I would bet that anything that was structured with any type of wood is totally rotted and will need to be completely removed and rebuilt. Others will chime in with exactly how to accomplish that shortly. Also the engine will need a new water impellor and carb rebuilt for starters, along with probably the fuel pump and all fuel lines too. Probably new points, coils and spark plug or plugs just for beginning. Age is hard on O/Bs like that... And I would absolutely purchase the actual manufacture's shop manual for your engine too...if you decide to continue with your new project...

 

[dalee]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome and information.

I didn't find a data plate, so the information that such plates were not common until the 60's does help. I do think the motor and boat are contemporaries. So possibly a 57 like the motor.

Other than the seats, everything appears to solid. I can't detect any soft spots in the hull, at least at this point. There is no exposed wood anywhere. I'm pretty sure the ribs are wood, but are totally encased in fibreglass.

I figure it's gonna cost to get the old girl back. (Good thing it was free) But in my mind's eye I can see her on the water. Looking good and running like she should.

Dalee

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Look thru some of the info & pix here to see if you can ID the maker & year

Welcome & good luck.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

What's the overall length of the boat? Once you get the interior cleaned out take some pics for us. Make sure and take care with the seat frames. They are Priceless. Same with the windshield. It can be cleaned and polished and made to look like new. You first order of business should be to take a gazillion pics of every nook and cranny from every angle possible for future reference. Take and record measurements of where everything is right now and then strip everything off her, catalog it all and store in a safe place so you can find it all later. Buy some TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) @ Lowe's and give her a good warm bath with a soft brush. Then Wipe her down with Acetone to see how well she cleans up. Is there a lot of spidercracking/eggshelling in the gelcoat? If not, you may be able to polish it up. Are the chrome accessories corroded and pitted? How's the trailer? We'll be here to help all along the way, just keep posting pics and asking questions.

 

[dalee]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Hi,

Thanks for the continuing information! Based on the tape and the Wiki, I think I have a 1960 14' All American. Since it has a full fibreglass deck. And no exposed wood anywhere. The 2 full width bench seat arraignment is a bit different than the few brouchure photos show. But I would assume different seating layouts were available.

The finish is very chalky to the touch. So i don't think there is a gel coat anymore. I hope to get the cleaning supplies this weekend. So I will find out the damages then I suppose. But I can see learning about body work and painting is going to be on the list. I do see some threads I should do some reading.

The trim is in good condition. Not perfect, but no missing chunks or major damage. The wind screen is one piece, but a little hazy. Sadly the seat trim is toast, as in missing large chunks. I will need to find something or fabricate.

Dalee

 

[bad coffee]

Re: New guy with old boat and motor

Sweet deal for free. I'm also going to rebuild a Lark. Mine is a '56 30hp though. Check fiberglassics for the shop manual. I found the '56 one there, I bet they have the '57.

Clean the boat out well, and check the transom over. Make sure it's nice and solid.

B