TOPIC: 75 Silvercraft 15

Finally found a forum that understands my determination to restore my boat! A couple of years ago I purchased a 15' Silvercraft on a Tee Nee trailer for $80. It was a bare hull with some cheap bass boat folding chairs. The PO threw in some controls. The boat sat for another year as I didn't have much time or funds. I did find a windshield and a '66 Johnson 33hp on eBay. Not knowing anything about outboards, I've messed with it for a while, but it seems a long way from running. Another subject for another thread.

Anyways, fast forward to this year. I aquired my dad's '57 Johnson 18hp that runs like a top. I know its not much for this boat, but it will get me on the water. I have cleaned up the hull interior, buffed out the oxidation, new steering, new control cables and worked on the trailer. Bad news is that the neighbor kid cracked the windshield, so I am looking for another. Transom is OK for now.

Here's a small picture of the boat when I bought it. I hope to get it outside tomorrow to work on it and will take pictures of what I've done.

Anyone ever hear of Silvercraft boats? All I know is that they made boats in Washington state in the 70's and 80's. Who knows how this boat got to Michigan!

Welcome aboard Aquatech. I didn't see anything in the FG Library on Silvercraft, but we have some great historians here and even a few active members from the left coast. Hopefully someone will be able to fill you in a little on your question. Man you weren't kidding about it being a "little" picture! Looking forward to seeing more pics of your project.

Yea, my original picture is on another computer, so all I have is the small one for now. Hopefully I'll get more on later today.

From the US Coast Guard MIC database:

MIC: SLJ
Status: Out of Business
Company: SILVERCRAF
Company Official: DAVE RUE
Parent Company: Parent MIC:
Address: 9472 NUSOM RD
City: SILVERTON
State: OR Zip: 97381
Country:
Phone: 0000000000
Fax:
In Business: Tuesday, November 12, 1974
Out of Business: Tuesday, June 30, 1981
Date Modified: Tuesday, June 30, 1981
Type: Outboards, Open Motorboats, Jon Boats
Additional Address:

Thanks for the info thompson. At least Oregon is close to Washington. It would be nice to see a complete boat to see what mine looked like. Since the company wasn't even around seven years that might be hard. If nothing else I have a clean slate to work with.

Took the boat out to buff the hull. About an hour in the buffing wheel broke, so I cleaned things up and took some pics.

Any ideas for seats?? Still looking for a windshield too.

Looks like it's buffing out pretty nicely, been there on "blowing up the buffer"! I think buffing out a Glassic qualifies as "severe duty", and the inexpensive ones like I had just aren't made to handle it. (Saving up for a good unit now.)

You can do a "search forum" in the little box in the upper right hand corner of the screen and type in any subject you like, it will pull up any posts on the given subject. I like the lounge seats personally, hard to beat the selection and prices at:
www.iboats.com/Back-to-Back-Lounge-Boat-Seats/dm/cart_id.816648939--session_id.883107515--view_id.473666

where does one find the Coast Gaurd database?

matt wrote:

where does one find the Coast Gaurd database?

www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic1.aspx

Got back to buffing tonight. About half the hull has the oxidation buffed out and I have most of the deck waxed now. My next goal is getting the boat and trailer registered. I have the old registration for the boat, but nothing for the trailer. I haven't found any serial number for the trailer - any ideas? It's a Tee Nee - from the 60's? Definitely not original to the boat.

I may have to register the trailer as home-built. That would involve getting the trailer weighed. Logistically I can't figure out how I would get the boat off the trailer, short of launching it. Will have to think more on that.

what are you using for the oxidation...

and what type of buffer are you using?...

For the oxidation I am using Meguiar's #49 Oxidation Remover. My boat has some pretty heavy oxidation and this stuff works.

As far as the buffer, I am using a variable speed drill with a buffer pad. Not the best tool for the job, but it's working. I use moderate rpm and work the product until it just starts to dry. I immediately wipe the cleaner off.

I am following up the cleaning with pure carnuba wax. The process takes a while, but it's looking good. I'm glad it's only a 15 footer!

Anyone have a trick for removing black (rubber) markings from rubrail? In the picture it looks like my rubrail is black, but it's actually white. Sanding it with 120 grit sandpaper will take it off, but it's work. I plan on replacing it, but it's not at the top of the list.

is the black, rubber markings or paint?

if rubber try a Mr Clean Magic earaser..not sure if it'll work but those things are amazing..have 2 kids..lol

.or how about a heat gun...

Tried the magic eraser which did nothing. I think it is paint - the black color runs the entire length of the rubrail, not in a few spots like you would see if it was rubbing on something.

Guess I'll carefully sand the paint off for now.

Aquatech,

If you need to remove the boat, here is what I did on a 1000 lb boat.
Get three sawhorse bracket pairs. (mine was a tri-hull)
Build one for the transom. Cut the cross piece to match the shape of the hull.

Build a second one for 1/3 from the bow. Use an extra bracket and legs for support in the middle. (you will have an extra)
Again cut a cross piece as close as you can to the shape of the hull.

Some jacks help in this process.
At least one other person.
Now are there rollers or bunks on that trailer?

That is going to be a sharp ride when you are done.

Seats? I like back to back lounge seats, but it looks like it may be tight in your boat, and I like original if possible.

Back to back but not lounge seats or buckets/bench.

Thanks for the info jim. The trailer has bunks. At first I thought of restoring the boat to original, but I haven't found any picture or reference to Silvercraft boats.

The boat was purchased with two bass boat seats in the front and a "bench" in the back. Both the bass boat seats and bench were mounted on a 2x10 laid across the boat and screwed into the lip on the lower edge of the hull. Not original, but what was? There are no holes of any kind in the floor to indicate seat location.

I am looking at lounge seats, but it would be a tight fit. The width of the floor is 4ft. Most lounge seats are 18-20" wide, so that would leave me only 8" between seats at the most. Maybe buckets and a bench would be better.

Sommerville - I like those seats, makes me think I need to go check out a few junkyards and see what I can find. Maybe I can find a windshield too, eBay and Craigslist has dried up lately.

Well, I think the Silvercraft is ready for a run. Been working on the trailer - new wiring, safety chains, roller, adjusted bunks. Got the boat registerd. Tank tested the motor last fall and ran good. Need to get some fresh gas and get rid of the old (where???).

No seats yet - should I go with a lawn chair or 5 gallon bucket? At least I could use to bucket to bail if needed - ha!

Anyways - its summer so...time to get her wet.

Took her out on the river today. Everything went great. Not going anywhere quick with the 18hp - think something in the 35-40hp range would be good.

Still need a windshield and seats, but it's a start! To this point I have less than $300 into the boat, motor and trailer. A work in progress...