My 1958 Duratech S148 Boat Project

[DonnyDrywall]

So I finally got something I can tow with my Trailblazer and could not be more excited. Plus I get the added bonus of having something fun to work on.....
P.S this is a copy from a thread I have over on IBoats.com forum, but there is very little activity on the duratech section and I enjoy reading feedback. and since I'll be towing it with my trailblazer i believe I'm justified in posting this in the hobby section.

My fiance and I grew up on lakes in Southeast Michigan. We are currently renting a house on a lake in Oakland county and bought a pontoon last summer to enjoy the water. We have plans of buying our own home this summer and decided we should get a boat on a trailer as we are looking for property over lake front. A little searching on craigslist turned this little aluminium boat up and I instantly knew I had to have it.

She needed some work when i towed her home

I started with the trailer cutting off inoperable functions and extra metal

I then powdercoated the trailer black replaced the wood runners and re-wired the trailer with led lights

 

[DonnyDrywall]

Next I gutted the boat and powerwashed the inside to get it ready for two new bench seats and carpet

and of course before digging into it, I rebuilt the carb got it adjusted and ran the 1972 25hp Evinrude sportster that came with the boat.

 

[Robbabob]

This is awesome, man. Thanks for sharing it here.

I am a member at iBoats, too. Been a long time since I commented over there, though. Same name

 

[DonnyDrywall]

Thanks, Yeah iboats is plenty active but the Duratech section is pretty slow. These boats were only made for a little over ten years in the 1950s-60s but there are a few of them left. I had to buy it when I saw it because to me its pretty unique.

 

[jimmyjam]

nice, I've been lurking craigslist for the last few weeks for something that size to tool around in this summer...

 

[DonnyDrywall]

So I did a little work to the boat over the weekend between wedding planning and looking for a house...

I framed in the gas tank compartment and put new foam under and new wood on the seats

I then decked the back to prep for carpet

Then the carpet went on

I'm very happy with the results. hopefully later this week I can get the front half done.

 

[Robbabob]

Nice looking!

 

[Ghoster]

I don't know a damn thing about boats, but that little boat looks kinda cool. Don't see many of that size/design any more. Thanks for sharing the rebuild!

 

[DonnyDrywall]

Thanks for the comments. and yeah that's why i jumped all over this boat. The retro styling really appealed to me. also its built like a tank, all original rivets are still holding with zero leaks. they don't build them like this anymore.

 

[jstrut]

Very nice project! Very well done. I noticed you said you bought a pontoon boat, being as I build them for a living, hope you don't mind if I ask what brand you bought?

 

[DonnyDrywall]

actually I sold our pontoon because we are moving off the lake and we wanted a boat on a trailer. either way the pontoon is an 87 24 foot Manitu(sp) with a 45hp mariner. a co worker bought it because he just closed on his lake house and he is getting ready to wheel it inside. (it has been stored at my place of employment for the winter) he plans on redoing the entire thing.

 

[jstrut]

actually I sold our pontoon because we are moving off the lake and we wanted a boat on a trailer. either way the pontoon is an 87 24 foot Manitu(sp) with a 45hp mariner. a co worker bought it because he just closed on his lake house and he is getting ready to wheel it inside. (it has been stored at my place of employment for the winter) he plans on redoing the entire thing.

That's awesome! That's who i work for. I've been building Manitou boats fire the last 11 years. sorry kinda off topic but i had to ask.

 

[DonnyDrywall]

thats funny, on another side note. Up in Clare Michigan at my cottage there is a tiny little pontoon boat with Manitou on the side of it, on the little lake we have access to. and ever since we noticed it there the running joke is "how many people do you think that boat holds?" and the answer is always "a man or two."

 

[jstrut]

That's funny! I love it!

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Very cool!

 

[DonnyDrywall]

The boats been done for a couple weeks now so I thought I'd throw a couple pics up.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

That is sweet!

 

[northcreek]

Nice old school runabout. Looks a lot like my fathers first boat, a 15' StarCraft Jet. It was rated for 50 hp and eventually that is what it had on the back. You will have lots of fun with that boat, not worrying about scratches and dings...Mike.

 

[jstrut]

Looks great! Nice work! I love how your dog has already claimed his spot.

 

[DonnyDrywall]

Thanks guys, this runabout is 14 foot and rated for a 35 hp it currently has a 1972 25 hp Evinrude and tops out at 22 mph. the motor runs great since I rebuilt the carb. literately touch the key and she fires up. Also my dog Willow does enjoy that spot, but at the same time I built that up so I could stand there in fish. So shes not going to make it out for every trip....

as you can see there is only room for one full size man or one treeing walker coonhound