*NEW* 14FT Aluminum boat Custom Mod 3/11/17

[Guyver]

First time on this forum, thought I would start it off with a project I just got my hands on!

The trailer I got for free from my uncle, fixed it up for about 100$ in total and it turned out quite well. Also got a 1967 18HP Fastwin to slap on this puppy, just needed a boat to mount it to :wink:
Got this boat off a guy about an hour from my house. I was a bit skeptical driving out this far, but I was not disappointed.
Picked her up for 500. No regrets, she is in fantastic shape.
I'm not sure of the make or year but my best guess is a 1950's 14' Lone Star Commander. Any Guesses?

Capacity tag.

This is the number stamped on the back of the transom.

Starboard

Port

I previously had a boat my uncle gave to me for free but the paint was 3 layers thick and had a bunch of bondo fixes along the hull of the boat, probably going to sell it to an aluminum scrap yard for what ever they give me for it.

Also, I probably wont be panting any of it since I prefer not to mess with paint due to my previous boat being a pain in the butt. Is there anything I should put on it to protect it and keep the aluminum finish? (If not I'm going to light polish the outside.)

DECKING.
What I plan to do is build a platform in the front for a fishing deck. Not sure how high I should be placing the decking for it to be stable but also have room for storage. Also not sure if I should take the middle seat out for more room, Will this compromise the boats integrity?
(Brainstorming ideas and will post decking plan later!)

POST MORE PICTURES TOMORROW WHEN IT'S LIGHT OUT!!! :lol: :lol:

 

[Johnny]

Welcome to TinBoats !!

there are a few Lone Star owners here.
a couple of websites that can help with boat ID
are https://www.fiberglassics.com and https://www.iboats.com
I had a page that broke down the hull number to the
model of boat - but now I can't find it for the life of me.
I think it goes something like this . . . .

The history and brochures can be found here: https://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Lone_Star#1959
more photos of the bow, inside seating and transom (stern from the outside) and transom corner braces
might help the gallery.

Edit: as for taking your old boat to the scrap yard,
I would suggest you cut out a lot of the good metal
into panels that you can easily store just in case you
want to make some mods later on down the line.
then you will already have some metal on hand.
then - take whats left to the scrap yard.

.

 

[Guyver]

Welcome to TinBoats !!

there are a few Lone Star owners here.
a couple of websites that can help with boat ID
are https://www.fiberglassics.com and https://www.iboats.com
I had a page that broke down the hull number to the
model of boat - but now I can't find it for the life of me.
I think it goes something like this . . . .

The history and brochures can be found here: https://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Lone_Star#1959
more photos of the bow, inside seating and transom (stern from the outside) and transom corner braces
might help the gallery.

.

Thanks for the info Johnny! I wasn't able to look it up using the number on the transom, but the brochure looks to have found me a match.
It seems to be a 1956 Lonestar Commander, measurements add up (I pretty much guessed it spot on!)

Also, heres some pictures of the inside.

 

[Johnny]

very good hull to work with !! lots of room.
I am guessing you did not get a title or any paperwork with it?

here in Central Fl, a boat like that with no trailer or papers
would run in the $200-$300 range. $500 is a bit steep.
but, if you are happy with it, that's all that matters !!!
good luck in your adventures !!

 

[Hanr3]

Nice find. Check out my 14' Alumacraft build for ideas. Link in my signature.

Your boat and the Alumacraft look a lot alike.

 

[Guyver]

very good hull to work with !! lots of room.
I am guessing you did not get a title or any paperwork with it?

here in Central Fl, a boat like that with no trailer or papers
would run in the $200-$300 range. $500 is a bit steep.
but, if you are happy with it, that's all that matters !!!
good luck in your adventures !!

I got paperwork with it but here in the state of KS you don't need a title or anything, just a bill of sale is all. I tried negotiating a lower price but he wouldn't budge at all off 500. Seeing how clean it was, had no paint on it, It was totally worth the 500 for me. Plus, im not sure if in KS most boats are priced more? Or if people on craigslist are just stingy on prices. Been looking for a month and this was the best deal I could find xD. No regrets here.

Thanks!

 

[Johnny]

.


"people on craigslist are just stingy on prices" period !!


hopefully, all your rivets are sound and solid !!
the one I bought turned out to be a salt water rig
that was run hard and put away wet - or - left for long periods
of time in or very near salt water.

after I started addressing a few leaking rivets, I found that ALL
the rivets along the port side and half on the starboard was
compromised to the point of popping due to internal corossion that I could not see.
over 500 rivets must be painstakingly removed and replaced.
but - the hull is pristine and dent free. the $200 I paid for it (with title)
will balance out after all the repairs are made. (I hope).
- that project is on the back burner for now -

good luck in your build !!
please post some photos as you progress through your project.

 

[Guyver]

So the past few days I havn't been able to do much to the boat. I've cleaned out all the trash and removed all random nuts and bolts from the boat. Ordered some 1.5"x1.5"x.125" Angled aluminum from OnlineMetals.com should be here shortly. Also placed an order for closed blind rivets (aluminum with an aluminum mandrel) along with a heavy duty hand rivet gun.

Did some planning on what the deck will look like, tell me what you guys think. (Red lines are aluminum supports, will double up the angle pieces in a "T" in some places.)

Also a picture of the hull of the boat since I havn't shown it yet. Semi-V! :lol: