What do I do with this?

J

Jeep Man

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I've posted on a few different areas of the forum and have gotten no reply on this boat. I wish I had a picture to post. Research tells me it's a 1955 or 56 aluminium 14 ft.runabout made by Aluminium Goods Mfg. which in 1956 changed their name to Mirrocraft. It's in decent shape, missing the windshield and doesn't leak. Typical of the era, the enclosed bow takes up about a third of the boat.
I cannot get any info as to whether it is worth restoring, have any value, is it rare, anything. I don't know if I should restore it or convert it to a small fishing boat with livewell. I would hate to damage it further if it has value as a rare boat. Any input is welcome.
 
Bifflefan

Bifflefan

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Re: What do I do with this?

I'd have to say if it had any "real value" you could find it somewhere in the internet age.
IMO its your and your the only one that has to be pleased with it, so do what makes you happy.
Its like those super fancy cars at shows that have chrome brake disc's.
Why?? they cant driver them, ever. so whats the fun? But its what they want and who am i (or anyone) to sya they are wrong. Its just what they want.
 
T

tmcalavy

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Aug 29, 2001
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Re: What do I do with this?

Check out www.fiberglassics.com or just Google Mirrorcraft restorations. If it's free, I'd grab it...but that's just me cause I like older boats. If $$$ is involved, make sure it's what you want...does it fit your needs on the water? If you want a small, open fishing boat there's plenty of those around without spending time/effort/$$$ on refitting an old boat. And lastly, get inside it and make sure it fits you...nothing worse than a tight fit that you don't like...seems boaters always suffer from 2-foot-itis..."if it were only a couple of feet bigger."
 
lowkee

lowkee

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Dec 13, 2008
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Re: What do I do with this?

Hey there,

You mentioned you didn't get any responses from your posts in other sections. You are asking a restoration question, so this is the proper section for it. Also, your title is non-specific, sort of like a "Help me!!" title. Nobody knows what you want so it gets passed by. I clicked only because I read most every thread posted in this section. Specific titles will get more responses and by people who know the subject matter better. "Is a 1956(?) Mirrocraft worth restoring?" is a specific title, and you will get more reads from Mirrocraft and general restoration experts.

On to your question:

Let's put the 'rare' part out to pasture right away. The only boat hulls worth anything are the old mahogany runabouts, and even then they aren't worth much if they need restoration. I have a guy here with one and he can't get $2K for it. So an old tinny won't be worth anything.

As for it being worth restoring, as others have said, only you can answer that. Is it worth restoring to you? You will never recoup the cost of a proper resto project, but it will last you for a long long time. If you have the spare cash and the time, go for it. It is def a unique experience you won't get elsewhere. I chalk it up to building an addition onto your house. It is totally new and something you will smile on every time you see it. On the flip side, if you don't have the time or you don't absolutely love the boat, you stand a good chance of having a junk boat sitting in your yard for a long long time.
 
J

Jeep Man

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Re: What do I do with this?

Thank you all for your responses. To clarify somewhat, I already own the boat and yes it was free ( even though there is no such thing ). The boat suits me fine and I can use it, as I need a small fishing boat. My other boat is a 20' pontoon boat and not layed out for the type of fishing I like. I have posted in the Mirrocraft section and in the more general boating section, using much more defined headings. Restoring an aluminium boat is not something I would choose. As I boat in the Muskokas in Ontario, there is nothing finer in my mind, with respect to boats, as a beautiful mahogany Ditchborn or Creavette or a lovely cedarstrip runabout. My dream is to restore a boat of that caliber someday. My apprehension is that this boat apparently is a predecessor to a well known make of aluminium boat. I am not aware of another still in existance. If it's pedigree gives it value, and not necessarily monetary value, I don't want to destroy it. If it's just one of many old aluminium hulls, then I got a small fishing boat, awaiting a makeover.I thought I would get opinions from fellow boats that are more in the know before doing ANYTHING with it.
 
Lion hunter

Lion hunter

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Apr 9, 2005
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Re: What do I do with this?

Like a previous poster said "put the rare idea out to pasture". It's an aluminum boat, no different than any other aluminum boat. These boats do not show any craftsmanship or beauty like a well built wood boat. There may be alot of collectors out there but I doubt anyone would pay a premium price for it.
 
Rickairmedic

Rickairmedic

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Re: What do I do with this?

Jeepman you got any pictures of the boat in question . I would like to see pics before I cast my vote . I am a hot rodder by heart but I wont cut up a clean model A ford to make a hot rod out of I think those should be restored now if its one the restorers turn their nose up to due to rust or something then I am all for cuttin that puppy up till it sits below my belt when parked :D. The same holds tru for me with classic boats even Tin Cans . I am redoing a Starcraft honestly nothing rare or all that special theres several of us here with the sme model . I am making changes to the interior layout and the paintjob but the basic hull I am not changing just in case some day someone else gets their hands on it and wants to return it to stock it wont be tht much work for them to get there :D. I hope my ramble made sense :D.



Rick
 
Lion hunter

Lion hunter

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Re: What do I do with this?

I agree with everyone. I surely wouldn't cut it up or trash it. I'd give it to some kid for his first boat before I did that. And the old tinnies definately have a coolness factor that I love, but they just aren't worth that much. Even restored. There not like old cars where there's a big market. But if it floats, and you don't want to restore it, I'd keep it just to fish like it is. Another option so you don't have to cut it is to sell it for 2-300 and buy a newer open tinny. That's the good and bad of old aluminum boats, especially 12 and 14'ers, a good 1950's model is worth 2-300 and a good 1980's is worth 2-300. I'm restoring an old crestliner now, but the truth is if it's just me by myself going puddle jumping I'd rather have my 12' tinny any day. Easy to put in the water, I can get back in tight spots and if something happens I can row it back. Oh yeah, a lot less gas as well.
 
R

reelfishin

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Mar 19, 2007
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Re: What do I do with this?

Keep in mind that you don't have to restore it to fish out of it.
There's a big difference in what I consider restored and a boat that's been fixed up to use.

I'd make it what you want or need it to be and use it till something you like better comes along.
 
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