1965 14ft Mirrocraft

[LaqueRatt]

I also find this a bit curious. I'm new to tinnies, but was surprised to even find foam. I suppose if you go out on big bodies of water having the boat float if it fills with water gives you something to hold onto? I can't imagine my little boat sinking out on the lake I'm out on most often. I don't even take it out when the lake is choppy.

 

[user 26281]

Why are all the boats swamping and sinking is what I'd like to know ??

Anchor from stern!

 

[gillhunter]

I guess it would depend on the situation. I seen a couple of small boats swamped by larger boats on the intercoastal.

 

[Steph Boeker]

I also find this a bit curious. I'm new to tinnies, but was surprised to even find foam. I suppose if you go out on big bodies of water having the boat float if it fills with water gives you something to hold onto? I can't imagine my little boat sinking out on the lake I'm out on most often. I don't even take it out when the lake is choppy.

Maybe it's just a "common sense" thing .... or lack there of ?? I saw a video compilation of various boats that sank b'c the drain plugs were left out !! Oops !!

 

[Steph Boeker]

I guess it would depend on the situation. I seen a couple of small boats swamped by larger boats on the intercoastal.

I would think a bilge pump would arrest that ??

 

[gillhunter]

I would think a bilge pump would arrest that ??

This is not a slow progress in my experience. Happens in a hurry. I’d just as soon be running with foam than not. If nothing else I’d prefer my outboard not be submerged.

 

[Fishingman48]

My Dad had an "Alumina Craft" i believe it was a 12ft. and remember tighting up some of the ribbing rivets Me on inside & him on outside with sledgehammer & another hammer holding it tight against rivet while he hit each one a couple time's & a few he drilled out & replaced as would not tighten up anymore. & fishing rapids for trout we would find boat sunk in between rocks pull em out and try to locate owner's if ID plate was available
The rivets on my dad's boat would start to get loose and allow water to seep in, after 4 hrs. in boat we would have a good 2 in of water between Ribb's scooping it out with an old paper coffee cup. We have to remember were dealing with a multi parts boats when it comes to the metal boats family some riveted & some welded even weld seam give way sooner or later. No foam was in this boat totally open bow to transom. To be completely honest I don't recall any foam under seats/ bench's. There might have been, but I know for sure none in bow as i used to lay back in it and take a snooze when nothing bitein except black flies

 

[earl60446]

I guess swamping a boat is a real risk, although I've been sailing all my life I only saw 1 boat swamped on the ocean in an Americas Cup Race back in the 90's. The keel broke on the Kiwi's 50 ft'r and it sank. But I'm not so familiar w/ motor boats ... yet.

I just picked up a used 1964 Feather Lite Alum. "V" bottom, complete w/ 64' Evinrude 9.5 hp tiller motor. I'm restoring it all and through all the video's and forum articles I see, it seems everyone is talking about the importance of using added foam.
Why are all the boats swamping and sinking is what I'd like to know ?? My grandpa use to have a bateaux back in the 70's that had zero foam and a 25 hp merc but I don't remember it ever filling up w/ water much less risk swamping ?? What am I missing ??
Thanks for your generous consideration,
Sincerely .......................

Smaller boats with 15 inch transoms are much more susceptible to swamping, I have seen a few boats 18-22 footers swamped on lake erie, one turned over but none of them sank completely because of the flotation. Sailboats are much more resistant to swamping than fishing boats, just more seaworthy. It happens fast when it happens, waves coming over the transom,failed bilge pumps (or get something caught in the pump) cause it sometimes, lots of time failed plumbing causes it. Such as broken pumps (they are only plastic) or failed hoses for livewells.

 

[airshot]

When I had my 14' tinnie with a 15" transom, first thing I added was a self bailing well to catch and return any water comming over the back! It made a hugh difference!!

 

[LaqueRatt]

Interesting. How hard is this to do? Takes a bit of aluminum fabrication I assume?

 

[thill]

You can make one out of sign material and rivets, if you dont't have a welder. It doesn't need to be big to catch a lot of water

 

[LaqueRatt]

One question. Will aluminum bend just like steel? Other than light stock for around windows I've never tried bending alum. Have to heat it up? OK that's 2 questions. LOL

 

[airshot]

Actually bends quite easily, you won't need or use the tempered stuff like the boat bull is made from. Just some .050 or .060 aluminum sheet. I was a toolmaker working at the time so I had a shop full of equipment, but easy to do at home. Mostly riveted mine, but could easily be welded if you have acess to one. There was a couple fab companies advertising generic made screw on wells back then, not sure about today. Basically a 90 degree bend as long as needed with a cap on each end. Honestly, have saw a couple home made wells from commercial size eaves trough. Just something to catch and return that overflow !!

 

[1960 yellowboat]

wouldn't aluminum gutter also work?

 

[airshot]

wouldn't aluminum gutter also work?

The bigger oversize stuff could work, have seen it done...regular 5" gutter would be to small..

 

[user 36243]

When you had the wood transom out did you find a serial number on the port side-inside of the aluminum transom?
I have a 1966 mirrocraft with one and told it shouldnt’ have checking around with 60s boat owners……
Thanks,
TMAG