Newbie-14 foot Alumacraft

[jamesriveralumacraft]

I am thrilled to be here! Yesterday I bought an
Excellent 1955 Alumacraft model F.. 14′ with front deck, new white oak inside and new marine plywood outside transom with stainless fasteners. New original style drain with chain and new decals. Metal is very straight. No holes in seats. It is ready for the water… fish, fun or show." That was the direct ad from the awesome previous owner who also sold me an awesome 10 HP, Johnson motor and gas tank. I already love this boat.
Four questions:

1. Where can I find an add on cable/drum steering wheel center or side mount? It doesn’t have to be from 1955, but that would be great!
2. Can I put a windshield on this slick boat? If so how…?
3. Where and how can I put an electric start on this bad boy and move the controls next to the console?
4. Can I make these seats have wooden backs…like on the FDR model?

*Not looking to do this all at once, but I, like I said, I am new, and any help is very appreciated!
John
Richmond, VA

[outbdnut2]

If I remember right, your model F is rated for 16 HP Max. Back in the day there were several model F’s on my lake with 18 Johnson/Evinrudes and they pulled skiers, sometimes two kids at once. I’m not sure if you are asking for the steering wheel or the deck to mount it on or both. If you check E-BAY and Craigslist, you will find a lot of drum-type steering wheels, or post a "Wanted" ad in the classifieds here. You can mount the steering wheel to the front deck. On that model, it was also common to have a deck going all the way across by the rear or middle seat. I don’t recall ever seeing a side half deck on one, but they were common on deeper, higher rated 14 foot Alumacrafts back then. Finding just a deck will be difficult – maybe easier to find a junk boat and take a deck off – check Craigslist. WIndshields were made back then that screwed to the full front deck. Most were short and you looked over the top. They are out there. I ‘ve never heard of an old 10 Johnson with electric start. There was an add on kit for the 18. Remote controls are fairly easy to find and Teleflex makes new cables for them at a reasonable price – measure carefully, as you have to order them in one foot increments in the length you need. Remote controls will hook up to your 10 HP by adding two cheap clips. Since you can’t get electric start for your 10, you may want to consider a deck in front of the rear seat – then you can start it by just reaching back. Can still do steering and remote, but handling and planeing will be better with you sitting in the middle seat. For wood seat backs, they were not offered back then, but making them depends on your skill and creativity level. Do not drill into the aluminum seats because they are sealed air tanks for floatation if you swamp it.
What its the year or model of your motor?
Dave

[outbdnut2]

Forgot to mention that whatever deck you put the steering wheel on, onthe model F, just about all of them were put it the center of the dashboard so you sat in the middle of the seat – better balance when running alone, and the boat isn’t that wide so you can still easily reach to the side of the boat to work the remote controls, and, if necessary, sit slightly to the right to be comfortable working the controls while you steer.
Dave

[jamesriveralumacraft]

Thank you! Yes, I would be after a deck, too, though the gentleman I bought it from had a cool steering wheel on an aluminum clamp for a side mount. I looked all over eBay last night, and I couldnt find any drum steering wheel kits. Im not sure I could mount one in the front to the front deck since it doesnt have the middle mount portion, instead, it is more flat…? Not sure of model of 10HP Johnson…I will check. I added two photos.

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[vintin]

If you can pick up a side steering console you will be a lot faster on the water with your body weight more towards the rear. I wouldn’t cut into the front deck for a wheel! A friend of mine gets 24 mph with an 18hp tiller steer in an Aluma Craft FD. Your boat is lighter. Put the side steering console so you are sitting on the rear seat. Just my opinion.

[jamesriveralumacraft]

Were universal side steering consoles ever made?

[vintin]

quote jamesriveralumacraft:

Were universal side steering consoles ever made?

I don’t know about universal side steering but there are a lot of Aluma Craft side steering consoles out there.

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

The 15hp 1956 Johnson’s had an electric start version..would make that a fun ride

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[outbdnut2]

Your good lookin’ 10 HP is a 1956. Good motor. Don’t skimp on the oil, as the old 10’s were known for rod bearing failure – use 25 to 1 mix.
Dave

[jamesriveralumacraft]

Anyone know the part number for a drum steering set up or side console Alumacraft bolt on…or a photo of an Alumacraft F with a windshield?

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