New guy with a few questions

[Itsnotme1988]

Was given this boat a couple months back and need to find out some info. It was an abandoned vessel at Kerr Lake that my dad bought 2 years ago. Had NC WRC run the registration number (can't find a HIN) and it came back as a 1970. All I know is its a K-craft. No coast Guard rating stickers left so no idea on motor or weight rating. Any thoughts?

Already added rod holders. Want to repaint and add some sort of low deck and storage if I can safely remove the center bench. And sold my pickup for Trailblazer so I'll need a trailer. Have a 5hp Merc Force, but would like something bigger and a trolling motor.

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Kerr Lake! That's my stomping grounds.

Can you get a registration for a boat without a HIN?

 

[richg99]

The site that I LINKED to below says that HIN numbers didn't start until 1972.

https://www.georgiawildlife.org/node/2967

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

What's the length, width of the boat? What's the height of the transom?
The "K" in K craft looks like the "K" in K mart.

 

[lovedr79]

Kerr Lake! That's my stomping grounds.

Can you get a registration for a boat without a HIN?

in Va. you can indeed. not sure about NC. When i was in high school we had a place on Kerr at Eatons ferry campground. at the time all i had was a canoe and my step dads sit down jetski to fish from.

 

[Stumpalump]

You can never safely remove the center bench. You can remove it and build structure to make it strong. You can remove it ands it's floatation then add floatation under the floor but that won't make it safe. Safe is still having enough floatation up high in that seat so one man can right it when it swamps and rolls over. Safe is that floatation up high so you can still get in it after you right it and not freeze to death. Floatation in the floor is great for self bailing hulls but on these conversions that are common the upside down swamped boat will stay that way until help arrives. Leave it like it is and you can still get back in and paddle after it swamps and rolls. Two strong guys can roll it back over and bail it in deep water under good conditions if one can hold the front down. It's never a good idea to remove seats with floatation in them in a small boat. They swamp and roll too easy.

 

[Itsnotme1988]

What's the length, width of the boat? What's the height of the transom?
The "K" in K craft looks like the "K" in K mart.

 

[Itsnotme1988]

Kerr Lake! That's my stomping grounds.

Can you get a registration for a boat without a HIN?

in Va. you can indeed. not sure about NC. When i was in high school we had a place on Kerr at Eatons ferry campground. at the time all i had was a canoe and my step dads sit down jetski to fish from.

Shouldn't be an issue in NC after emailing WRC. Went to Kerr a lot as a kid. Now my dad has couple slips at Satterwhite. Always loved Kerr! This boat will see more rivers and creeks than lake though and occasional salt.

After doing some reading here and on iboats I will be planning just a low floor and bow stowage of some sort.

 

[richg99]

Smart move. Too many guys want to completely redo a boat when they first get it. Sometimes it doesn't work all that well.

Many years ago, I added a heavy wooden stern deck to a 16 ft fiberglass flats boat. Not only would she not plane, she barely moved. Luckily, it wasn't fastened down. I pulled it out and went fishing. I dismantled my masterpiece the next day. richg99

 

[Itsnotme1988]

Yeah, that's the concern. I have an 18 ft Wellcraft center console for bigger water, etc. Think low, flat floor with storage will be plenty. Just wish I could find weight rating and engine rating for this one...right now I only have 5hp to push it along. Moved a 12ft Gheenoe "alright" but not what you'd call quick. Especially with another person, cooler, Trolling setup...

 

[richg99]

Gheenoes are great. I've owned a few. Lots of FL guys put 15 hp on them. Won't fly in TX. richg99

 

[Itsnotme1988]

I loved the Gheenoe, and 15hp would have been awesome! haha :twisted:

 

[richg99]

I loved the two that I had over the years...but...being old and creeky...I might have fallen out of them...long before I, or anyone, could turn one over.

Great boats for the right areas.

richg99

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Based on the measurements I'd say the max safe horse power is 20 to 25hp.

 

[Itsnotme1988]

Based on the measurements I'd say the max safe horse power is 20 to 25hp.

Awesome! Thanks! That's what I was hoping...next to get the registration process going and find a trailer...then a motor...yay for something else to take my money! haha!

 

[earl60446]

Based on the measurements I'd say the max safe horse power is 20 to 25hp.

Awesome! Thanks! That's what I was hoping...next to get the registration process going and find a trailer...then a motor...yay for something else to take my money! haha!

My lund was 14ft and a 20" transom depth (long shaft), plus wider than your boat. It was rated for 20 hp max.
JFYI

BTW, I also used to have a 1976 Wellcraft V20 Fisherman CC, it was rated for 150hp. Heaviest 20ft I have ever been in. Lead Sled
so to speak, especially in the transom, took water in at transom very often.

Tim