My project Orlando Clipper

[rich64]

I just purchaced this from a freind,I don't think he knew what he had .I am very excited about doing a mod to this one ,thanks to all of you on this forum giving me the motivation and ideas for the mod..I want to do something similar to backpain's v bottom.His mod was simple and very functional,backpain you are a great inspiration!!! Like you I don't have a garage or shop to work in.I got some "before pics"that my daughter took for me.I  will keep all of you posted as the project progresses.My wife and I have been fishing out of a 12' aluminum v for 12 years now ,this one seems so much bigger.

[rich64]

before pic 2...this was manufactured In the late 60's by the Orlando Boat Company, Made from retired aircraft aluminum..If you look close you can see that it is riveted the way that aircraft used to be. Also the guage of aluminum is heavier than most boats of that time...It makes me think of a ww2 B17...Good old American craftmsnship!!

[rich64]

before pic 3...Can you believe that I only paid $300 for the boat motor and trailer?

[rich64]

before pic 4...The first thing I need to do is remove the steel plates that someone installed,as steel and aluminum don't mix well together.

[rich64]

before pic 5

[rich64]

This came with a 1962 10hp Johnson seahorse out board so far I have compression and spark ..Not sure about fuel , It has not been ran for about 8 years. He told me that he put a new fuel pump and water pump on it shortly before it was stored (8 years ago)

[FishingBuds]

Man your buddy didn't know what he had did he?

Thats a good'ol classic American made boat.  I like the way you explained the history of it there, Yea I can see the way its riveted together-cool, looks like it could take out a sub ;D

You can do lots with that one, keep us posted on your work and again nice boat

[Popeye]

A little TLC and that puppy will have you catching some fish! $300 was a GREAT DEAL! Is that your Monark in the background?

[rich64]

neighbor's monarch... He upgraded from a 14' aluminum a few years ago.He told me that boats are like kids, If you wait untill you think you can afford one, you will never have one.

[rich64]

got the steel plates out today total weight was about 70 lbs

[rich64]

also reconfigured the trailer winch

[rich64]

cleaned all the trash out of it

[rich64]

the steel left some rust stains behind, but no real damage..will use a wire wheel brush on it .(My yard looks like a junkyard)

[rich64]

This is the boat we have used for the past 12 years...It's small but gets us on the water

[rich64]

I plan on selling it AFTER the clipper is ready to use.(Can't be without a boat,Crappie are biting)

[rich64]

I plan on using the anchormates and maybe the seats on the 14' mod..Also I am keeping the 5 hp motor as a backup for the 14 as the johnson needs major carb work.

[rich64]

I have some old waferboard that I'm going to use for the mock up decking and floors...It will make a good template for when I start with the more expensive higher grade plywood

[Popeye]

Looks like it's coming along nicely!!! Some paint on the interior and it will look like a whole different boat!! Keep up the great work, fellow Hoosier:o)

[btcprince]

that is going to be an awesome boat.

[FishingBuds]

Nice crappie

[rich64]

Some progress...I got some scrap aluminum from work and put together a frame to hold  the front deck....the best part was the price (free)

[rich64]

see how the pieces lock together

[rich64]

Then I put together a mock deck.

[rich64]

I won't be using this wood on the final project, it was something left over from a previous project. Thought I could make all my mistakes first and use the waferboard as a template for the finished project

[rich64]

Here is the bow,I plan to use 1/2" plywood on the finished project (that's my frontier)