52 Duracraft Sportsman restoration.

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m casey stock

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Hi Guys!
I just purchased an aluminum 14 ft. runabout. Why? I don't know, I just like the way it looks, not like I really needed another boat, or something else to tinker with. Anyway, there is not one thing on the rig that identifies who made it or when. After spending all weekend searching the internet I have yet to find one that looks like this one to the point I could say "That's it! it's a 19?? model Something something" I was hoping that someone on here would see it and be able to fill in the ? marks and the "something somethings" I was able find several good sites that had 100's of pictures of many popular models from manufactures in the 50's and 60's but not many from the 40's back. I really don't think it is any newer than the 60's. I know that it used have a windshield and the bow cover has been shortened and the dash mover forward (which I plan on correcting) other than that it looks to be original although missing a few things. Oh yea, under the blue spray paint, is cracked oil base? red and white paint, red on bottom and top and white down the sides. Okay....looked through all the theclassicboathouse pictures, Fiberglassics.com Aluminum pictures, https://www.ultimate.com/aerocraft-boats/ pictures as well as iBoats restoration pictures and still no matches, I really loved looking at all the cool boats. I'm beginning to think I must have something pretty rare. I don't believe it to be home made or even a kit because the welds and rivet work are way too nice as well as the design being pretty complex. What I find most different is the transom design, I've yet to see one that the side rails (gunwales) swoop and curve all the way to the motor mounting pad, the side rails hang over the sides of the boat a couple of inches. The transom is also welded/brazed in place not riveted which steers me away from the 50's and 60's Aerocrafts that I have seen but could still be an older one if they built any before the 50's. Some very unique design characteristics on this boat. I'm still searching for a source that gets into the really old aluminum boats, I don't know how far back the manufacturing of aluminum runabouts goes? Thanks in advance for any info. any of you can give, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Casey
 

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Thanks, looked all those over, still no close matches :( Someone out there is bound to know what this boats manufacture is. I'm leaning toward Feathercraft, but haven't found a match close enough to make that call either.
 
I don't believe it is a Feathercraft but It wouldn't be the first time I'm wrong. It might be helpful to go over to their forum and ask since they mess with old tins. That would be my best advice.

They just switched over to a new forum so don't be discouraged by post counts. Good luck.

https://www.feathercraft.net/forums.html
 
Firescooby said:
Blue Star?

Do you know where I can find pictures of older Blue stars I can compair it to? I would really like to see another one like it with everything intact so I can restore it correctly.
 
Hey Guys, I did find that this is a Duracraft, but I don't know the exact date or the hull style name (if it even has one) thanks for all the help in getting to this point. Still need help with pictures of any old Duracrafts that have been restored, so I'll know how to put mine back together.
 
Update 08/02/12

It seems to be an early 50's Duracraft Sportsman. I talked to Kim Ward (son of one of Duracraft founders) and he told me it was a Sportsman model and wasn't sure the date, but that my serial# was old. I wonder if any of you guys have serial #'s you would be willing to share that know you build year, that way I can compare it to mine and maybe get more exact on my date. I found a # stamped in the port side about a third of the way down just under the gunwale, Mr. Ward said that is my serial #.

I've also started stripping the many layers of paint, and thought Y'all might want some pictures, so here goes.
 

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I'm actually further along than this, I just stopped and took pictures to save the original paint scheme for future reference. I'm not repainting it red and white, but I might incorporate some of the original designs in the new paint job.
 
Okay, I know it's been a while, but life seems to do that at times. I've working a little more on stripping the Duracraft and thought you guys might want to see a few updated pictures.
 

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Thanks, I already have the blonde :wink: Here are a few more updated pics, will soon put some paint back on it!
 

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What did you use and how did you do it, to get the bare metal bright finish?
 
I used paint stripper (aircraft gel in a gallon can, from most auto parts stores) after the bulk of the paint was gone I used spray can paint stripper (again aircraft from the same parts store) with a red scotch bright pad (wearing rubber gloves of course) to work the last little bit, keeping my strokes all in the same direction. Looks good like it is, but I'm thinking about polishing it even further with a buffing wheel. might show too many of the little dings and imperfections to suit me, but if that happens I can always dull it back down with a little acetone.
 
Awesome! Will be watching this one, going to look at a 1958 Resorter when I make it in from work with the same intent! Old School.
Just wish I had your work space!!!
 
Cool, can't wait to see some pictures. And yes the work space is nice, I run my business out of this space too, so that helps with the expense of having it.
 

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