Rmedoc
Member
Hello Tinboats! Fantastic website you all have going here. So much information my brain hurts from trying to process it all!
My name is Craig, and have been in the Army for 16 years, currently in San Antonio. I am going to look at and possibly pick up my first boat this evening, but wanted to ask a few questions to the experts out there so I know exactly what I am getting myself into.
The boat I am looking at is a 1978 Ouachita 12' Jon Boat. The only pic I have of it right now is the one below. I have done lots of research and searching on the web and most of this site, but wanted to make sure I am in the right if I decide to pull the trigger and bring this home with me tonight:
1) Structural integrity concerns with a boat this old? I am not concerned about a few loose rivets as those are easily fixed, but when is it considered too many to mess with? What about supports?
2) I know it has 3 seats in it, as long as they are not damaged, there should still be ample support to minimize flexing correct?
3) Any tell tale signs that a transom is unrepairable to the point of walking away? I know enough about fabrication that I could rebuild with wood and braces, but if there is something that says "don't even try" what would that be?
4) Stability. I have read numerous posts on here about width at the bottom of the boat. Is there a general guideline for "too narrow" to make a safe fishing platform that will include myself and my small kids?
5) I know I won't have much room on a 12' boat, but will this boat suffice to accomodate some small lake fishing with minimal rough water? Those familiar with San Antonio area, I will be conducting most of my fishing at Canyon Lake and Calaveras Lake.
6) Anything that should be done 1st thing before I take it out on the maiden voyage? Not talking about the registration and stuff like that, more on the lines of what I planned on doing below (fill in if I missed a step):
a) Fill inside of boat to water line and check for leaks
b) Fix any rivets either by reseating or replacing
c) Seal any leaks with 3M 5200 or Gluvit type material on inside of boat only
7) Any problem with future mods on a boat this old? I won't be going all out like some of you have (which look fantastic BTW), but I have plans for a trolling motor, swivel seats, a storage compartment or 2, and maybe a few other goodies. I worry about strength of the aluminum for its age and wonder if it is thick enough to hold the extra supports and materials adequately? I don't want a row boat, but don't need a jet boat either. I am fine cruising around at 5-8 MPH where I will be fishing.
Thanks in advance for all the assistance. I appreciate it. I will post some more pictures of the boat if I make the deal this evening. Looking forward to a great learning experience here on tinboats!
~Craig
My name is Craig, and have been in the Army for 16 years, currently in San Antonio. I am going to look at and possibly pick up my first boat this evening, but wanted to ask a few questions to the experts out there so I know exactly what I am getting myself into.
The boat I am looking at is a 1978 Ouachita 12' Jon Boat. The only pic I have of it right now is the one below. I have done lots of research and searching on the web and most of this site, but wanted to make sure I am in the right if I decide to pull the trigger and bring this home with me tonight:
1) Structural integrity concerns with a boat this old? I am not concerned about a few loose rivets as those are easily fixed, but when is it considered too many to mess with? What about supports?
2) I know it has 3 seats in it, as long as they are not damaged, there should still be ample support to minimize flexing correct?
3) Any tell tale signs that a transom is unrepairable to the point of walking away? I know enough about fabrication that I could rebuild with wood and braces, but if there is something that says "don't even try" what would that be?
4) Stability. I have read numerous posts on here about width at the bottom of the boat. Is there a general guideline for "too narrow" to make a safe fishing platform that will include myself and my small kids?
5) I know I won't have much room on a 12' boat, but will this boat suffice to accomodate some small lake fishing with minimal rough water? Those familiar with San Antonio area, I will be conducting most of my fishing at Canyon Lake and Calaveras Lake.
6) Anything that should be done 1st thing before I take it out on the maiden voyage? Not talking about the registration and stuff like that, more on the lines of what I planned on doing below (fill in if I missed a step):
a) Fill inside of boat to water line and check for leaks
b) Fix any rivets either by reseating or replacing
c) Seal any leaks with 3M 5200 or Gluvit type material on inside of boat only
7) Any problem with future mods on a boat this old? I won't be going all out like some of you have (which look fantastic BTW), but I have plans for a trolling motor, swivel seats, a storage compartment or 2, and maybe a few other goodies. I worry about strength of the aluminum for its age and wonder if it is thick enough to hold the extra supports and materials adequately? I don't want a row boat, but don't need a jet boat either. I am fine cruising around at 5-8 MPH where I will be fishing.
Thanks in advance for all the assistance. I appreciate it. I will post some more pictures of the boat if I make the deal this evening. Looking forward to a great learning experience here on tinboats!
~Craig