So my buddy’s uncle was a duck hunter. He had this boat and my friend asked if I wanted it when his uncle passed away. It’s not much to look at at all, but I’m thinking I might like to fix it up for me and my son to go chase the ducks like I used to. It has been sitting a long time... probably 15 to 20 years, but supposedly worked before it was parked. I’m not sure if the motor is worth saving and trying to get running again, or just get a new one. I have no idea what it would cost to replace hoses and get an old motor running again? It’s a pretty big Jon boat. I think 17.5-18’ and pretty wide. It had a side mounted stick steer but the wood piece it was mounted to has rotted out and crumbled away from the hull. I bought two new wheels/tires for the trailer and took it up to my sisters farm in Sherman.

I was considering maybe power washing it all down and then rhino lining it inside and out, and maybe putting a long tail on it. Don’t know if that will add to much weight or not?

I’m curious what y’all suggest or might stay away from. It would primarily be a duck hunting rig that I wouldn’t mind banging around. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Power wash and long tail you roll'n. Don't know anything about rhino.

Put a mudbuddy efi super long tail on it.

If it were me if put a copperhead on it. Not a longtail. Much less torque on that old transom.

Make absolutely sure you can get a clear title to it in your name before you spend any money on it. Unless you are planning to use it strictly on private water.

Good call... my buddy says he has the title so I will pick it up next time I see him

Don't give up on the motor so fast. Inspect the hoses on and around the motor. I bet they are fine.

Definitely replace the water pump impeller. Drain and replace the lower unit oil. Bring to a shop if you don't know how to clean the carburetor.

IMO putting rhino lining in it is a bad idea. You're adding un-needed weight. Either cut some plywood out for flooring, or get some aluminum floors put in.

Like someone said, get the papers on the boat before you invest any money in it.

See I’ve heard that too, and I don’t understand it. 2 gal of rhino liner ought to weigh what... maybe 20 lbs? Wouldn’t a plywood floor weigh more than that?

If I kept the motor, I’d probably put a light weight aluminum side steering console on it. Do you think the stick steering cables would work for a steering wheel, or are they different all together. I’m not real boat savvy. Thx!

With a motor that old you'd be piecemilling the parts to make the boat a console steer. The motor may in deed work but parts availability and maintenance are gonna wear in you. Get a copperhead or similar motor and call it done.

What size copperhead do you suggest, and what does something like that run?

Biggest is always best right?

I think the biggest copperhead is under 5.

Think you can buy a mud skipper and put it all together for less.

My issue with a longtail is timber. If you're on the coast and don't deal with timber it'll be fine. I ran a 15 42 with a longtail and I about yanked that thing apart. A boat built for a standard surface drive or longtail is a totally different build than that boat you're dealing with. Where copperhead was built.for a john boat.

It weighs very little. I use the real stuff (spray only, sets in a couple seconds) to spray the inside of dumpsters and it's maybe 10 lbs for 50sf of coverage.

What it doesn't do is get you stuff up out of the water in the bottom of the boat like a false floor will.

I wouldn't be too scared of the motor. I have a 1957 and recently got rid of a 1985. Both were very trouble free motors that required next to nothing maintenance wise. Stick steering is neat, if its salvageable I would leave it.

IF the motor is not seized it shouldn't take much to get running. if it is seized its scrap.

How many horsepower is that outboard? My 16 foot boat has a 1994 15 HP Evinrude. They are very easy to work on but parts can be hard to find and expensive. I would say 15HP is the minimum outboard for a boat that size. Mine struggles with two guys, gear, and an EMT pipe blind.

That motor could probably be running for not a lot of money. clean the fuel lines and put a new tank and hose to it, you might have a fine motor. So far as the title. Even if they have the title there could be an issue. If the man that died is on the title then you have hurdle. TPWD aint playing around when it comes to titles. If your buddy inherited the boat, he can't legally just give it to you and you register the boat. The executor of the will would have to show where you were granted the boat and every person named in the will would have to sign an affidavit releasing any claims to the boat. The easiest way in not the legal way. That's your buddy sign the title as if he were the uncle. Yes that's forgery. That's illegal so I suggest you don't, but I am no internet game warden. So do what you think is best.

Not 100% sure, and it’s up in Sherman, so I can’t just walk out there and check. I’m guessing it’s about a 35 horse.

Wow, what a mess. I’ve known him & his family since high school and even his Aunt who was part of the will. I almost bought the Uncle’s home from them to flip it when he passed, and we are all in good terms.

with out title you are up the well known creek, is it rivet or not, if it's riveted that can be problematic

ttt