teaspoon Posted January 19, 2009 Posted January 19, 2009 I just got this old aristo-craft...not sure what the model is...i'm hoping to get it fixed up by this spring/summer...it hasnt been used since 1991...im guessing it was made in the early 60's because the motor is a 1964 Evinerude starflight VI 75hp...Its about 16ft by 7ft...any suggestions are greatly appreciated also if anyone has a price estimate that would be great Quote
Super User cart7t Posted January 19, 2009 Super User Posted January 19, 2009 Suggestion and a price estimate. One can of gas - Approx. $3.00, matches - free at the 7-11. I hope you got paid to take that. Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 19, 2009 Super User Posted January 19, 2009 Ok, we know you have great hopes of getting on water in a boat that cost you nothing but that may end up being the most expensive boat you've ever owned. Before doing anything to it, get it out where you can walk around and kinda bounce up and down on the floor in all areas. If it's cracking a moving a lot, or if you go through it, forget it. Next step, with the motor tilted up and setting on the rest, stand on the prop/mid section and bounce up and down. If the transome flexes and makes cracking noises, again, forget it. If you don't know how to work on the motor yourself, like replace a water pump, replace a fuel pump and rebuild carburators, replace all fuel hoses and intake gaskets (old one are don't work with the junk we have for gas these days) you're going to spend a hellava lot more on that motor than it could ever be worth. That's provided all the parts are still available. By the way, the old three cylinder OMC's will out perform that motor in every way under the sun, parts are more readily available and they will get twice the fuel economy. Personnaly, I would leave it right where it's sitting. If you have already taken possession of it, you have created your first problem, getting rid of it. Most landfills won't take fiberglass boats. Quote
teaspoon Posted January 19, 2009 Author Posted January 19, 2009 it was free...however a new motor wont be...if i can get it cleaned up then is the 75hp motor still necessary or could i go with something a little smaller? Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 20, 2009 Super User Posted January 20, 2009 OOps, misunderstanding. Wasn't taking about remotoring that one. Just suggested that so if junked that one, if you find one that has the three cylinder motor, it's a much better motor. Uuhh oohhh, I just noticed something. That's the old electric shift lower unit. If it works, you're going to be very lucky. They barely worked when they were new, didn't take OMC long to drop that idea. I sure hope you have a whole lot of time, know how and spare dollars you don't mind putting into it. Go through the basic first, check the floor and transome. Check the LU and se if has oil and it's black. If no oil drains or any water comes out, it's probably junk. Do the bare bone minimum to get it running and make sure it has forward and reverse. Good chance the steering cable will be frozen and you will most likely have to replace the whole helm to replace it. Water pump replacement is an absolute must. It will probably come apart the first time the motor runs but I would get it running before spending the money to replace it. Doing all the work yourself, I doubt you can make it usable for less than $500 and thinking close to $1,000. Quote
sal669 Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 If you donate it to a charity, you could get a tax deduction... :-? Quote
Wilson Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 I dont see anything wrong with it... if it was free is a project.. it needs a good cleaning and stuff but as a project why not. this boat has lots of potential in the right hands. Quote
Super User skunked_again Posted January 20, 2009 Super User Posted January 20, 2009 I dont see anything wrong with it... if it was free is a project.. it needs a good cleaning and stuff but as a project why not. this boat has lots of potential in the right hands. if it was at one time a bass/fishing boat i might agree with you. Quote
Super User cart7t Posted January 20, 2009 Super User Posted January 20, 2009 I dont see anything wrong with it... if it was free is a project.. it needs a good cleaning and stuff but as a project why not. this boat has lots of potential in the right hands. Stuff = Used engine, that one will hopefully be taken by a salvage yard - $1000 approx. Trailer. Did you notice it's completely rusted? If it's salvageable you're looking at $400 + to refurb. Heck, just to take it off the property he'll have to dump $200 into hubs and tires/wheels just to trailer it safely. Boat. Complete Steering system, new electrics, the wood in this boat, if there's any left, will have to be replaced. Any vinyl seating is shot. Carpeting, etc, etc. If this was an actual fishing boat it MIGHT have some potential, even then it's questionable. This is nothing more than an old 60's vintage speed boat that really has no historical significance and isn't really a very good fishing platform. Quote
mowzer Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 my very first post here. so hi to all. teespoon, i don't think ya done to bad. that's a aristocraft funliner. an all fiberglass boat. no wood stringers, perhaps a little wood in the transom, but not in the conventional way of thinking of transoms. these boats were ahead of their time and had a good following of people who enjoyed them much. you need to go to aristocraftboats.com check out under vintage boats, the fiberglass brochures (here you can find specs and construction pics of your boat) and photos. you'll see you boat there. some boat parts may be available from the oem. call him to find out what's available, if anything. he's got some parts for my boat, not many, but a few. and that's a few more than most 1960 oem's provide for their customers. i've fished a few times from my aristocraft. the back is wide open and seems to work well, though i must confess, my interest is in boats mostly. i've also seen a few aristocrafts modified for fishing only. they are adaptable boats. sea worthy too. as for the engine. i can't comment on it as my boat is a aristocraft nineteen (lime green, not pictured in the brochures), 165hp mercruiser i/o. since yours is a o/b. it'd be an easy repower if needed.... so teespoon, did you get the hardtop with it? Quote
clipper Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 Your boat brings back memories. We had an Aristocraft runabout my dad bought new in 1960 when I was 15. It had a 75 hp merc on it which we upgraded to a 100 hp to give us more speed and power after a couple of years. I burned $100.00 worth of gas one month skiing when gas was 37 cents a gallon. We could clean the bottom (it sat in the water all the time) and get 44 MPH out of it so we could ski barefoot. Man I had a lot fun in that boat. I guess it started my love affair with boats and lakes. You got some real good advice above about checking the bottom and transom before doing anything. Also, make sure you have good wheel bearings and go slow getting it home. If it has been kept under that shed the wood might not be rotten... Good luck. Before you put 500 - 1000 in it you might consider taking that money and buying a good johnboat that you can fish out of. Quote
simplejoe Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 so teespoon, did you get the hardtop with it? I don't think he's getting anything BUT a headache ;D Really, It can be a good project if you got the time and money. Just be safe getting that thing home. Quote
kickbasskid Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 Teespoon, congrats on your find but I think if you want to fish the money you would put into making that fishable is better spent on something like a jon boat. Quote
CGH Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 From Looking at the Brochures, If i was near Raleigh, I would gladly take it off your hands!! I have a 1960's Evinrude Big Twin 40HP that would look real cool pushing that boat around Lake Conroe. Wouldn't be a speed demon but it would be a cool ride! Quote
GLADES Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 You might want to clean that boat up and put it up for sale. There are alot of old boat/motor enthusiests who could be interested. Check for websites that cater to these people and present it there. Spending alot of money for that boat to be a reliable fishing platform would not be a wise decision. You can pick up a good used bassboat on craigslist. Check the site before you spend a dime on that one. Quote
bass or bass ? Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Personally I don't think this boat is worth the headaches and money to restore. I have a 1977 Glastron Sportster with a 1967 Evinrude Starflite 80 that was in excellent visual condition but needed motor work and I found out after a few trips to the lake also needed new stringers and deck. Did all the work last winter and now looks like a new boat with new pedistal seats, fish finder, dual batteries on 1/2/both/off switch, submersible lights,marine band radio, Sirius satelite radio, motorcycle headlights for nighttime use, new bimini top,and much more. It was a lot of work but much less then your boat will require. My suggestion is to find something that requires less work and money. The total for my project , including purchase price is @ $6000. Happy fishing. ~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~ Quote
teaspoon Posted January 25, 2009 Author Posted January 25, 2009 thanks for all the advice guys! It would be an awesome project but after these posts and a little thought i decided it would be way over my head and budget to fix this one up...i would love to take on a jonboat project later on but this one is just gonna cost me way too much...so i started looking on craigslist and found a 1970's caravelle thats been kept in real good shape for 1000$...thats well less than what this project was gonna cost...it still can use a good cleaning out but it's ready for the water...definately not the best fishing surface but it'll be a good double as a family boat and fishing boat...i'll put pics up soon Quote
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