My first project boat EVER

[No boat Dan]

I got this 13' Gregor from a friend of a friend and there is no paperwork on it, and no vessel information. I need to register it some how, and start working on it. Does the DMV give people with issues like this a hard time or is it usually not a problem? What size motor should I look for to take it to the patties? What sort of work will I need to do to the Aluminum? (better to leave it how it is or prep and paint?) Thanks for any advise.

P.S. I guess I will have to change my sign in name now

[bassspotter]

You need better friends! 25- 40 hp will push it with no problem.

[wheresmypliers]

most of those are only rated 8hp and lower...

[Tunanator]

Not worth the effort or the safety factor...JMHO
You can get a clear title after DMV does a search and it is a hasstle, not good for anything but a dinge imo, I have lost two friends who used these things "just in the bay" and they are both dead. One 12 ft alum was found upside down and the other we do not know what happened but the boat was found on the beach and he was found two weeks later....not worth it.

[Duffy]

First boat in the mid-1980’ was a junk Mongomery-Ward plastic piece-of-shit from Disneyland salvage, with a 2hp ‘Seagull’ open-flywheel motor.

Carried a one-gallon extra tank, a cut off plastic milk jug (for bailing), a set of swim fins and a small Boogie board - along with two fishing rigs.

Used to have to ride setting backwards, cause the thing was only eight foot long and wore an inflatable ‘May-West’ vest.

Fished the Wall for two years - launching from Sunset Aquatic - never, ever had any safety issues and had a fucking ball catching hundreds of fish.

Grow a pair and have some fun.

[fishaholic 1]

great dingy or shore boat once you get to catalina.

[michael]

I wouldn't leave the harbor with that boat.

And check your PM's.

[geno machino]

Make sure it's water tight,a 10 horse motor will push her just fine, 25 would be ideal.

Great hoop'n boat,in the bays and harbors.

Geno

[OCPoacher]

You can have a great time without leaving the harbor.
Be safe and go out and have fun.

[DENEK]

Just remember, all aluminum boats leak. The amount of water is the only concern. My 14' aluminum("Salty Balls") has made it out to the horseshoe with no problems. I've fished from Dana Point to up and around Palos Verdes. Safety is always a concern, in any boat. Don't be stupid while your out there. If you don't feel comfortable, turn around and stay closer to shore.(inside of the breakwall or New Port harbor would be great in that boat)
As soon as I got mine, I flipped it over and bought some "5200" marine sealant from West Marine. I think it is made by 3M. Lightly sanded ALL the seams and applied the sealant. It took some time to do, but I think it was worth it. The hardest part was waiting for it to dry. Before I put the sealant on, I let the boat sit upside down for a week to dry out. After the sealant was applied it sat for another two weeks.
I don't like the look of a painted aluminum boat, so I didn't paint mine. Maybe someone else on here can give you suggestions on that.
Hope this helps.

[mongo75]

I had a 13' aluminum boat I bought in NY for a wopping $30 for striper chasing and I did the same thing. The first time I took it out it leaked like a sieve, I scratched an X over all the leaks i could see, got back and either bucked the rivets with a hammer and block of steel, or 5200'd the seam. Next time out it still freaking leaked a little, so said fuck it and ran sealant over every below the water line seam and rivet. It was the nasty brown colored shit too (got it on sale) . It also had foam under the cross-seats, so this thing would never sink. The boat looked like crap, but $30 for the hull, $150 for a 10 hp Johnson, $30 for a new gas can, and $10 for 2 plastic rod holders I installed, and I had a great little boat that could get in the shallows where other feared, like a couple of times I had to get out and push hehe. Be smart, be carefull, and have fun!

[No boat Dan]

Ya, I think I am going to seal the shit out of the seams and just use it in lakes and the bay only. Kind of with you all on that safety factor thing.