Re: Newbie-14 foot Alumacraft

[David Stanton]

If I remember right, your model F is rated for 16 HP Max. Back in the day there were several model F’s on my lake with 18 Johnson/Evinrudes and they pulled skiers, sometimes two kids at once. I’m not sure if you are asking for the steering wheel or the deck to mount it on or both. If you check E-BAY and Craigslist, you will find a lot of drum-type steering wheels, or post a "Wanted" ad in the classifieds here. You can mount the steering wheel to the front deck. On that model, it was also common to have a deck going all the way across by the rear or middle seat. I don’t recall ever seeing a side half deck on one, but they were common on deeper, higher rated 14 foot Alumacrafts back then. Finding just a deck will be difficult – maybe easier to find a junk boat and take a deck off – check Craigslist. WIndshields were made back then that screwed to the full front deck. Most were short and you looked over the top. They are out there. I ‘ve never heard of an old 10 Johnson with electric start. There was an add on kit for the 18. Remote controls are fairly easy to find and Teleflex makes new cables for them at a reasonable price – measure carefully, as you have to order them in one foot increments in the length you need. Remote controls will hook up to your 10 HP by adding two cheap clips. Since you can’t get electric start for your 10, you may want to consider a deck in front of the rear seat – then you can start it by just reaching back. Can still do steering and remote, but handling and planeing will be better with you sitting in the middle seat. For wood seat backs, they were not offered back then, but making them depends on your skill and creativity level. Do not drill into the aluminum seats because they are sealed air tanks for floatation if you swamp it.
What its the year or model of your motor?
Dave