1963 Lone Start 14' V-hull rebirth . . .

Howdy All,

It's time for me to share my project, which some of you have already helped with. I found a 1963 Lone Star 14' V "Commander" that was, for the most part, in decent shape. She just needed some TLC.

The old paint, all 3 or 4 layers, was peeling badly, I saw a bunch of rivets that had popped out, a few dings in the hull here and there, and a rotted transom, but I saw excellence in the gauge of the metal (AL), sturdy structure, and some nice looking lines!

Let's get started, shall we? (Follow the picture links below)

Picture #1 is when I first brought it home. The trailer has since been sanded down to near metal, primed, and painted with a nice gloss black. I have replaced all the bunks, every roller, and the V-stop, as well as every darn bolt and nut. I used SS hardware everywhere I could. I also rewired the entire light system using only soldered connections with Heat Shrink tubing to seal the connections further. I chose some submersible LED running lights and tail lights. .

Picture #2: the rotted transom - I learned first hand what happens when a transom replacement is not done properly, and previous to my ownership, it was not. Someone before me used Marine Treated Plywood, and guess what I found under that rotted wood? Yes, corroded Aluminum metal on the transom. This changed the plan as I thought it would be as simple as replacing the wood with a good resin-sealed piece. I chose to clean up and sand the corroded areas (see Pic #3 where you can see daylight through the small corroded places), sand them down, and place over the entire transom one good layer of fiberglass & resin. See Pic #4. Pics #5 and #6 show the new transom in place. I used some leftover Finishing Plywood from another project, and put 3 coats of resin to completely seal the new wood. I also had to replace about 25-30 rivets here and there where some had broken, several on the seat attachment rivets. So glad I bought that pneumatic rivet gun.

Picture #7 shows the interior fully primed with Self-Etching Primer. It took a #$*!load of sanding to get it ready for that primer.

Picture #8 shows the boat upside down so that I could sand the bottom and also fix some dents, and replace some rivets (all sealed with 3M 5200 sealant).

Picture #9 shows a 1966 Johnson 9.5 HP motor I found elsewhere. It is currently running like a champ after doing all the suggested things for a motor of this age.

Picture #10 shows yours truly enjoying a glass of Texas wine after finishing the 2 coats of Sea Hawk Aluma-Hawk epoxy based paint on the bottom of the hull. I used a pneumatic spray gun.

Picture #11 shows the interior painted. I sort of finished 1.5 coats and ran out of paint so I'll need to finish the second coat when it arrives. Looking good I think . . .

https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat1.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat2.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat3.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat4.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat5.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat6.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat7.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat8.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat9.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat10.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat11.jpg

The next thing I want to do, and I would like suggestions, is to build some long, thick, cushions for the 3 bench seats. I envision using some resin-sealed plywood for the base, then wrapping that and some cushion foam with some marine vinyl. I also would like these cushions to be semi-permanent meaning they won't blow out during the drive but I can take them out if I desire.

I was thinking about inserting some SS T-nuts in the base wood of the cushion so I could insert a SS bolt from the bottom of the bench seat to secure the cushion. Thoughts?

This is where I am now.

Oh, in honor of my sweet little 5-year old daughter the boat will be named "Miss Emma", and her name will also be on the front bench seat (by request).

CMOS

Why not use stainless steel snaps instead? Simpler, as they had them that has the male part screw into wood, with the female part peened onto the fabric. FWIW in lieu of the snap attachment kit (which I finally bought later) I put many snaps onto fabrics using the rounded head of a small upside-down ball peen hammer to form the crimp. Have also used a Steel round bearing squeezed w/ vice grips.

Dale, not sure I understand where you are suggesting the snap studs go - on the base wood of the new cushions, or on the existing bench seat metal itself? Might you have a picture?

Thanks,
CMOS

Thumbs Up! =D> =D> =D>

WOW! You have really done a nice job on her! I just know Little Miss Emma is so proud of her "Miss Emma"! Speaks profoundly of a man's character to put his little girl first. For that, Sir, I tip my hat. =D>

I can't thank you enough for sharing your project. I love all old vintage boats, but obviously, the Lone Stars are my favs. They are a part of our Lone Star State's history.

The details of your project are most interesting and captivating. I must admit, I would read, then look at pics, then read again, as I was hanging of every word. I will be watching to see what you post next! :wink:

I am interested to see what you come up with on the seat covers, as well as Little Miss Emma's seat. 8)

Thank you again for sharing!
Cheers! :beer:

M
Tyler, Texas

Just checking to see how you are coming along with Miss Emma. Keep us posted!

M
Tyler, Texas

I believe these are the snaps that were mentioned. These go into the hard surface. They make several different kinds; SS, coated, etc.... The SS are the best. They can be bought from several different places, Fastenal, ebay, etc... Just be sure to get the same size top snap that goes into your fabric.

I will be glad to help you "design" if you'd like. Perhaps send you a few drawings to give you some ideas. :idea: I'm sure others will help as well.

Have a Grrrreat day! 8)

M
Tyler, Texas

Good looking boat. It's great to see these classic aluminum boats preserved for future generations. So many get butchered.

Waiting for dry day to finish the paint!

I also just received the boat name decals in the mail: "Miss Emma". They look awesome. In fact when I showed them to my daughter she jumped for joy like I gave her tickets to Disney World.

New decals for the Johnson 9.5 hood came in also. I'll put them on this weekend and post pics.

As soon as I finish painting it'll be time for her maiden voyage, then I start on some bench seat cushions.


CMOS

TexasLoneStar56 said:

Just checking to see how you are coming along with Miss Emma. Keep us posted!

M
Tyler, Texas

Click to expand...

VinTin said:

Good looking boat. It's great to see these classic aluminum boats preserved for future generations. So many get butchered.

Click to expand...

Amen to that!

Thanks for letting us know where you are on her. I totally understand about getting a dry day. Rain, rain, rain in Texas.

Excited to see pics of the decals on, both boat and motor!

I am sending you a copy of an old brochure ad for Lone Star that shows the pics of the original cushions, and their descriptions( 48"x14"x3 1/2"). Perhaps this will help you in deciding what you want to do.

The ad shows these cushions without the snaps. They actually had two (2) straps that snapped onto the front side of the seat, and two (2) that snapped onto the backside of the seat. Some, as in our Clipper, only had the two (2) straps in the front that snapped down. They were a double size throw cushion.

The backs of the seats, as with our Clipper, were actually the 15"x15"x2" throw cushions that doubled as seat backs. They also had straps that snapped onto the wood at the top, on the back. Your boat does not have the backs, but just thought I would finish the LS throw cushion history.

Let me know if I may be of help.

M
Tyler, Texas

Good info Michelle. Thanks you.

Progress today! Finished the second coat of paint, and installed the boat name on both sides. I also put the new side decals on the Johnson 9.5.

The maiden voyage is getting close.

https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat12.jpg
https://www.thetexaswineguy.com/Boat13.jpg

God Bless Texas!


CMOS

=D> =D> =D> Way to go! She's looking good! Motor looks brand new with those new decals.

Thanks for sharing!

Yes Sir! God Bless Texas! \/

M

Update 5-2-15: maiden voyage tomorrow!

Will post AAR pics and comments.

CMOS

Wow.....Thats a fine looking craft. You did a nice job restoring it.

OK! I know church is first, as should be....... [-o<

So how did she do? Anxiously awaiting Little Miss Emma's response....

M
Tyler, Texas

AAR:

Overall, the day was great. Momma had to stay home - not feeling well so Emma and I tore it up.

Odd but I had trouble starting the engine, when in the driveway it typically starts on the second pull. It smelled like it was flooded. Took me a good 15 and almost pulling my arm out of socket when I finally got a sputter, then a start. I was seriously about to put it back on the trailer and call it quits. Started with one-pull the rest of the day. Thoughts on the hard start in the AM???

As this is the first time I have even mounted the motor on the boat I see that I will need to raise it up a bit since the skag plate is lower than the hull by about 1.5-2". I still think I was running a good 18-20 MPH however, to my daughter's delight.

We did have to cut the day a little short because it seems I blew the rubber hub on my prop. I was able to limp in to the ramp on 1/3rd throttle.

Overall, a very successful maiden voyage. We had a good long day on Lake Conroe, and a super happy little girl.



CMOS

OH! What a joy it is to see Little Miss Emma in her Miss Emma boat!
Thank you so much for sharing that!

I'm not sure about the motor. Sometimes we have the same problem with ours, and it's the same motor. I'll ask about it.

The hub! Better get a new one pressed on, quickly. We lost our hub, prop and all in the river about 2 months ago. Had to buy the whole prop and all. Ouch! Are you sure it's the hub, or did you shear a pin?

On another note:
You asked about cushions. As I was shopping in Wally World last week for patio cushions, I had a thought.......Why couldn't these be used as boat cushions as well. :idea: :?: They have one that is suppose to go on a love seat that might work. Just a thought....

Thanks again for sharing! A truly awesome sight!

M
Tyler, Texas

Prop pin is fine. It's the rubber hub. I sent it off to a local Prop Shop today.

I'll work on the seat cushion designs next.

One more from the lake taken by a friend:

CMOS

An old boat and motor.........$$$

Investment to fix up the old boat & motor........$$$

Take your daughter out in the old boat with the motor for the first time....PRICELESS!!!

:USA1: \/ :mrgreen:
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Howdy. Had another great day on Lake Conroe yesterday with little Emma and the wife. Everyone enjoyed the day. :mrgreen:

Time to work on seat cushions. See the pic below to relate to a discussion about the center seat, live bait well underneath. I plan to use the LBW as dry storage. I have a piece of 3/4 plywood cut to fit nicely on the top of that center seat. My thoughts are to seal the wood in a couple coats of resin, attach two 1-foot long SS piano hinges to the front face of the seat, and the underneath of the wood itself. I'll have an upholstery shop cover it with some closed cell foam and marine grade vinyl.

Hinges: (1582A256): https://www.mcmaster.com/#door-hinges/=x7yvkp

I would like your thoughts on whether my hinge arrangement is sound, or not. Keep in mind that to attach the piano hinge to the front seat facing I will need to use some rivets and some #8 or #10 SS nuts/bolts, because I cannot get to the back of that seat facing where the LBW is. There is about 1/4" gap between the LBW wall and the front seat facing. Rivets with some 5200 should work.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Thanks for any feedback.



CMOS