I have been meaning to share one of my “COVID shutdown” projects – the “renewal”
of a 1955 FC Skipper. My dad purchased the boat in early 60’s. He would regularly take me out of school on Thursday afternoons to go crappie fishing on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. My father died in 1974 and the boat went unused for decades, lying upside down behind my barn. My wife suggested I refurbish the boat during time at home during COVID. Pictures show the trailer and boat before I started. I acid-cleaned inside and outside of hull, then applied two coats of Everbrite. I installed a new transom made from Coosa Composite Board (also used to reinforce rear handles that were broken). I cut PVC “stringers” to “level” the bottom of the boat, then installed PVC boards to floor the boat. I added a marine covering on the PVC boards. I used black 1/2” HDPE for new seats (adding rod holders, cup holders and sliding seats). I rebuilt the trailer – new axles, wheels, plastic bunks and lights. I bought a new Suzuki 9.9 electric start and lift motor and 40 lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor. The finished product looks goods, planes well and fishes great! I recently added a Humminbird Helix 7 DI/SI fish finder. I think my Dad would be proud. You don’t normally name 13 ft fishing boats, but my Dad went by his initials “VC.” I had to add those to back of boat. When I take the boat fishing, I tell my wife, “Dad and I are going fishing.”
