On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 08:07:32 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:
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Here on the West Coast, where there's lots of things to hit, welded-aluminum
boats are de rigeur for commercial boats (fishing, commuter, etc.). They just
last and last (but they aren't cheap, don't look great, and sound wierd).

But were they built 30-40 years ago?

As for
rivited aluminum: half the backyards in BC have a rivited-aluminum skiff tucked
away somewhere. The one I have is 1975, and it's still leakproof despite being
thrown around, dragged over rocks and gravel, etc.

Well I have a riveted aluminium ruinabout that I got "for a good
price". I don't know how old it is. It's a bloody mess. A real
"project". It's way overbuilt in the sheeting, and too heavy. But
every rivet leaks. I learned to hate my wife for a while, because I
held the dolly while she belted the rivets, trying to seel them. It
only partially worked. It really needs either welding or completely
re-riveting.

So yeah, an aluminum boat with an old outboard is a great way to get into
boating. Just make sure you have an alternate way home (kicker motor, electric,
oars...) and don't go too far until you're sure the boat is reliable.

And DO have the boat and especially the motor checked out by an "expert" before
you buy.

But "at the right price" this can become uneconomical IMO, unless you
know a mate who is (a) really up with it (b) brave enough to recommend
you a boat!
************************************************** ** sorry

..........no I'm not!
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Does Bill Gates dream of electronic sheep?