Finally Found An Old Tin Boat....

[Instigator]

Been wanting something similar for yrs but all I ever come across are high dollar "classic's".

Towed this home today. All I know is it's an old 14' Crestliner, I'd guess from the '50's and it cost me $250.
Hull is excellent shape, just needs new seats and deck riveted back on.

Been wanting to do a vintage twin project for yrs and this may be it. Although, a 3 banger OMC would be SMOKIN fun on this thing.
I can pick up the entire back of the boat w/one hand. I'd guess hull weight to be <200 lbs
The dictionary definition of Hp's Vs Lb's.

Anyone know any tin boat sites to find out what I have??

[outasite]

Needs a nice red&cream "big twin" or better yet two of them. Cool!

[delawarerick]

Great find remember the gold meteor johnson. Be sure to post progress. Is that a 15inch transom? Happy New Year Gary. Rick

[BarryStrawn]

Hi Gary,

If you haven't already, check http://retrocrestliner.com.

The family of a friend from university had an aluminum Lone Star row boat that had been converted with a front deck and windshield. It had a West Bend 35 and I recall we had a lot of fun with that boat. I must be getting old, that was 40 years ago.

Are you going to polish it?

Barry

[roadkill636]

Buddy of mine had one very simaler to that look and condition. Had a 60hp on it. Fun to drive around and got lots of looks.

[upyours]

I was thinking maybe convert to center steer add a v6 and go for it !!!!!!!

[Instigator]

Hi Gary,

If you haven't already, check http://retrocrestliner.com.

The family of a friend from university had an aluminum Lone Star row boat that had been converted with a front deck and windshield. It had a West Bend 35 and I recall we had a lot of fun with that boat. I must be getting old, that was 40 years ago.

Are you going to polish it?

Barry

Very cool site Barry. Looks to be a '56 Commodore @ 185 lbs
No to the polish. You know me better than that, I'd rather play with it than rub on it.

Thanks outasite and yes Rick.
Haven't gotten passed coming up w/power trim yet to think about the mids

[Chaz]

G ,
Happy to see ya got a shop with some elbow room ..

I just love the hand rolled seams with double offset row's of buck rivets ... Old world craftsmanship at it's finest ...

[Instigator]

G ,
Happy to see ya got a shop with some elbow room ..

I just love the hand rolled seams with double offset row's of buck rivets ... Old world craftsmanship at it's finest ...

Thanks Chaz. Still coming to terms w/the shop.
Thought I was done buying tools until stumbling on a Harbor Freight metal cutting band saw on sale and a customer informing me a shop ain't a shop w/o a Bridgeport

Agreed on the craftsmanship. Always loved these things. Unfortunately the deck will be repaired w/pop rivets.

[mr fun]

DAWGONE it Gary, love seeing you've made it to the vanity golfcart level "tin" ?? looks mo like " Aluminueum " to me, if so,,, get rid of the paint w/stripper then hit it with a product you can get a truck parts store called "White Lightening" it will start to foam up and while it's still wet hit it with a pressure washer and WA LA, absolutely bare clean metal ready for polishing or just use until the next cleaning. all the happiness to you in the next year, and keep us posted on all your exploits, happy new year, the Funs

[Tom Foley]

Nice Gary , You know you need this engine !!

[CharlieN]

Nice find, from the pictures that one looks straight enough to polish, You going to?
My first thought when I read the deck needs to be riveted back on was that will be a few hours for someone to lay on their back with earplugs in while you buck them all. But then read you are just going to pop them, sacrilege. That boat looks to clean for that crap plus if the boat gets run at all those pop rivets will more than likely loosen right up from the flexing the hull takes.

[mr fun]

there are some serious pop rivits used on the construction of overseas containers, again check at a truck supply house, I can get them for you if need be, the hole is about twice the sice of a pop rivet, but you will need a serious grinder and some effort to remove one of these bad boys, I attached panels on my freightliner cabover with them. fo real

[tux974]

Gary, great looking project!!!!...
I even like the polished finish and motor package that Tom posted....

[Da Bull]

Great find Gator. You always have plenty iron`s in the fire to keep you busy and young. I remember a guy showing up at a SORA race way back when and he had a round bottom Roughneck with a very old red cowl six banger Merc w/juice. It did ok till he hit the button and the boat turned up on it`s side. I think he crapped his shorts. Foot pedal was a large gate hinge welded to the floor with a bungee to pull it back. Country come to town for sure but he wanted to race and we let him.
How bout twin 15" 75hp OMC`s on the back! Now that old red Merc in Tom`s post would be nice but i also know it`s from the wrong camp.

ps: Whenever you get it goin you can line it up for a race against Forkin`s old tin Starcraft.

DB