So it's not a bass boat, but it was affordable. Still need a main motor, but a guy in the neighborhood buys old motors, refurbishes them, and sells them at an affordable price...gotta call him tomorrow about one he has up.

 

Anyway - 1972 Alumacraft F-9 Lakemaster - 15' for under $700. Came with trailer and an Endura C2-30. Needs some cleanup, but it's registered to the end of next year and he showed me pics of when he had it on the water this past weekend.

 

It will open up so many opportunities! Congratulations!

Very nice. I'm sure you're thinking through some changes/upgrades already. Keep the center of gravity low! I was going to recommend a transom mount trolling motor before I looked up what an Endura c2-30 was.

 

Nice thing about the Lake Master - it's a wide/deep boat - 64" beam, 29.5" gunnel to keel...very stable. Lowered transom lip, so it take a short-shaft motor.

 

He's the original owner and still had the original pamphlet.

 

 

38 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Needs some cleanup

With the mods and improvements you made to your canoe, this thing might go to space after you’re done with it. To infinity…and beyond.

"Warp speed, Mr. Scott."

Sell the Endura and get an Enduramax

I'm on a tight budget here, Paul. Getting a rebuilt 1967 10hp Johnson Sea Horse is going to hit my ceiling for 'major purchases' this year...and that's only if I can sell the canoe for a decent price.

I got $75 for the Endura 40lb thrust motor from the pond hopper I bought. Paid $200ish for the 45lb Enduramax and I'm much happier.

I'm actually looking at putting in a front casting deck, then seeing if I can find a used-working Edge.

I put a MK Edge on the bow the Lund I gave to my kid. He never uses it. He backtrolls with the Enduramax on the transom. Better control of the boat in the wind. I don't have a bow mount, only an Enduramax transom mount. I prefer backtrolling because I have more control.

 

The bow mount on a 3000lb rig acts completely different than a bow mount on a 400lb rig.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

So it's not a bass boat,

 

It's a boat, and you're going to fish for bass with it!!

Nuff said??

 

Super! Make it work out for you!

 

Karl

8 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'm on a tight budget here, Paul. Getting a rebuilt 1967 10hp Johnson Sea Horse is going to hit my ceiling for 'major purchases' this year...and that's only if I can sell the canoe for a decent price.

Oh baby, those things run like a top. I ran a ‘57 sea horse in my youth, very reliable 

 

congrats on the alumacraft! I love fishing out of boats like that, still do it all the time. Just don’t goose the throttle in reverse with the low transom! (If I recall the Johnson sea horse will definitely crank while it’s in gear……… but then again mine was older)

Im looking forward to seeing it after your finished with your magic.. ?

 

That'll have your sideburns flappin' in the breeze.

Sweet. I just talked to a guy it’s a similar boat.  Tiny gas motor.  25hp?? 
 

but he had a bow mounted trolling motor with spot lock.  He was standing and casting like a boss. I talked to him at the docks and he told me he tows it with his Honda Accord.  Looked like a sweet set up I can get behind. 
 

are those ALL stable enough to comfortably stand in?  We looking for a minimum  width?   (Berth?)

Yes you can stand in any of them. With a beam width over 54 inches it starts getting even more stable

On 8/10/2021 at 7:21 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

are those ALL stable enough to comfortably stand in?  We looking for a minimum  width?   (Berth?)

I would want at least a 48" beam (max width) with the transom width being at least 40" - sort of like jon boats in that respect, but a semi-V is - IMO - stabler than a flat-bottom. Yes, I've been in both - my old 14' runabout was a semi-V and I felt it was better on the water than a friend's 1452 Jon even though the Jon was wider.

 

If you look at the pamphlet image I posted, even their old 12' had a 49" beam and 43" transom width.

 

 

 

Outstanding!! 

 

Looks very much like my 1960 Rich Line, 14'

 

A few pictures of the old set up...and recent upgrades / decking.

 

The 20HP Merc was getting 23MPH with setup in the first picture...I'm getting 20MPH as it stands right now.

 

I still have work to do...hatches on front deck, carpeting.

 

I fished out of a canoe before getting this boat in 2000. Very stable, great fishing two people, love it! 

 

Enjoy your new boat!!!

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Looks very much like my 1960 Rich Line, 14'

One thing I like - this Alumacraft came out of the local factory (St. Peter,MN - about 50 miles from my place) back then.

 

6 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

A few pictures of the old set up...and recent upgrades / decking.

I'm stealing those pics to give me more ideas.

 

7 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

The 20HP Merc was getting 23MPH with setup in the first picture...I'm getting 20MPH as it stands right now.

I WAS going to look at a motor - but given that the guy who buys/rebuilds/sells those old motors only has a 10HP max now, and he does up to 25HP - all tiller - I'm gonna wait and see. He use to have a local bait shop with an Evinrude/Johnson repair shop in the back...he's still certified by both...it was local tax changes that forced him to close down, so now he just repairs and sells old motors.

 

9 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Enjoy your new boat!!!

I plan to...this winter will be modifying work...plan to hit the water in the spring with it.

On 8/10/2021 at 8:04 AM, MN Fisher said:

One thing I like - this Alumacraft came out of the local factory (St. Peter,MN - about 50 miles from my place) back then.

 

I'm stealing those pics to give me more ideas.

 

I plan to...this winter will be modifying work...plan to hit the water in the spring with it.

 

Here is a build-thread...with before and after pictures.

 

I purchased in 2000 for $600, boat / motor / trailer. It had nothing...I added the front casting deck, front trolling motor, both seats.  Fished like that until last Christmas...daughters got me a new fish-finder.

 

What started off as a Garmin install turned in to huge renovation / re-design. Replaced transom wood, created framing and decking.

 

 

 

I think I just found my retirement hobby.  Sweet. That tiny boat nation channel is crazy. 

Agreed! I learned a lot, and got some great ideas for my build.

 

They also have an Amazon store, pretty d**n useful.

 

 

Ya - but I have a local supplier of metal that I can get that aluminum for about 25%-30% less than he charges..so I won't be getting his 'kits'.

Agreed!  I scored my aluminum at Lowe's and Menards with gift cards and 11% discounts.