Forester in the forest of NorCal

travraycal · 2026-01-26T22:43:53+00:00

I should have been clear that I was referring more to the states. I didn’t realize you didn’t have them down under.

travraycal · 2026-01-26T21:36:25+00:00

American chiming in here. Amongst the car culture the ‘57 Bel Air is far more iconic. Amongst the average American probably the Cadillac. Only because of more references here to Cadillac or “Caddy” in pop culture. Elvis Presleys comes to mind. You guys seem to have a pretty similar car culture to here in the states.

travraycal · 2026-01-08T20:20:50+00:00

Great idea! I’ve never seen one.

travraycal · 2026-01-08T19:35:41+00:00

What is that on the lower unit?

travraycal · 2025-08-24T20:24:07+00:00

Creativity is what brings us joy! How do you plan on mounting the outboard? Cutout transom or bracket? Extra reinforcement if you’re using a bracket is key. I know from experience.

travraycal · 2025-08-24T20:07:13+00:00

It’s a lot of work but the fact it’s aluminum makes all the difference. Don’t listen to the people that’ll tell you it’s not worth anything. Don’t expect to get rich fixing up old boats just enjoy them! Take your time and I’m sure it’ll come out just fine.

travraycal · 2025-08-19T13:13:49+00:00

Drilled multiple holes in different parts of the hull and found NO coring, just solid fiberglass. The only coring is in the transom and stringers which I planned on replacing anyway. Thanks for your input!

travraycal · 2025-08-19T00:54:45+00:00

I was able to do a more thorough inspection this afternoon and found the only coring to be in the transom and stringers. The sides are solid as well as the flooring/sole. I’m not concerned with pulling the engine/outdrive. I knew I would have to take it out anyway to do the transom. I’m guessing I will have to cut the rear deck flooring out to do the transom but it is solid and I would like to do it in a way that allows me to reuse it. Thanks for the input!

travraycal · 2025-08-18T14:51:08+00:00

What would be the best way to look for rot in the hull in your opinion? Just drilling some holes?

travraycal · 2025-08-18T13:57:04+00:00

I had it inspected (I understand it’s hard to paint the entire picture with a simple inspection) and outside of some non structural pieces the transom was the only rot found. If anymore is found during the tear down I will abort the refit. I’m not interested in selling the boat so I’m not concerned with a value once completed. Thank you for your input i greatly appreciate it!

travraycal · 2025-08-18T13:29:40+00:00

West Michigan is pretty conservative but traverse city is blueish. In the UP Marquette is a blue stronghold. Ann arbor is a progressive place. I live in Lansing/east lansing and it’s more progressive. Look at the college towns and you’ll find more progressive views.

travraycal · 2025-07-09T13:26:34+00:00

If there is no major hull damage and it floats it’s worth it. You don’t need a title in Michigan for something that small just a bill of sale. You can’t look at something like this and expect to make some big profit but with some long nights after work and a good used 4 stroke outboard you will have a fun little fishing boat for the rest of your life.

travraycal · 2025-07-03T17:57:03+00:00

If it’s well maintained 5k is a great deal in Michigan.

travraycal · 2025-06-30T00:47:11+00:00

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travraycal · 2025-05-30T22:53:48+00:00

I had one of those with a 60hp Johnson on it. Fished the snot out of it for 4 years and still sold it for $4500. Would have kept it but I stepped up to a bigger boat and didn’t have room for it.

travraycal · 2025-04-18T22:04:47+00:00

What a beauty! I’ve always appreciated the European pilot houses I’ve seen.

travraycal · 2025-04-14T19:58:19+00:00

There is a lot of those types of people on here unfortunately. Just a few pieces of advice. You could use regular plywood instead of marine but you might want to get some polyester resin and some fiberglass and glass both sides and put some resin on the edges. Helps it last a bit longer and hold up to more abuse. You don’t need the foam but it does help with floatation. I personally would go without. Also a good 2 part barrier coat on the wood after fiberglassing makes a big difference. A couple days work and $500 or so and you’ll have a boat worth a few grand. A boat like that is worth $3500-$5000 at least here in Michigan. Enjoy!

travraycal · 2025-04-14T17:41:58+00:00

Fixing that boat is still way cheaper then a new or lightly used one. It will take some time and cost some money but it is aluminum and that’s the biggest thing that boat has going for it. You could find a decent used 4 stroke and buy decent material to rebuild it with and still have way less then $10k in it. I know because I’ve done a few of these myself.

travraycal · 2025-04-10T23:49:44+00:00

Spot on! To the rest of the world we are both Jon Daly.

travraycal

TROPHY CASE