Restoring a newer (older) alumacraft boat

I have a 1997 Alumacraft Dominator boat. It is in really pretty good shape. Its my boat I run on the river. Has no leaks in the rivets or any leaks at all in the boat.

The aluminum is getting a faded color and I would like to get it looking new again. It is painted and still has the original stickers and stripes on the boat.

Now the question, how does one get the painted aluminum restored so it looks new?

Motor is an 87 Johnson. 60HP. I would also like to trade that in and replace it as well.

Carpet and wood in the boat are OK, but I would as well like to replace that as well. The boat would last me another 20 years then. I wouldn’t care at that point.

New boats are crazy priced. Just wondering if this route could be a possibility? Spend some $ on a good boat that’s paid for to get updated and restored and would it be worth the trouble?
Thanks.

Assuming the transom is solid yet remove everything and have the hull sandblasted and painted at a auto body shop. Check with a local vo-tech to see if they have a body shop course and have those kids prep & spray it.

I had my boat repainted both inside and out. It is not cheap. One of the more popular make overs now is to have your boat wrapped. They look good and at a much lower cost.

Almost bought a Dominator before I bought a used bass boat. Loved the way they are set up.

To clean the hull, use The Works toilet bowl cleaner.

Wearing gloves, use a soaked sponge and keep a 2’x2′ area wet with the cleaner for about a minute, then rinse that area with fresh water.

You won’t believe your eyes, it takes years and years of stains and deposits off without scrubbing.

It won’t harm paint, decals, gelcoat, lowers units, cowlings, etc. Just avoid letting it sit on bare metal for an extended period of time.

I went through a complete restore of an ’81 Lund Pike in 2017.

Here is a link to my posting on this website. Which includes a link to the hole story.

‘https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/1981-mr-pike-

to get the link to work pick it up and drop it into your browser.

Since the original posting I have added more electronic toys and now have a Humminbird 360 and a second side imaging transducer on the boat.

Started with a $800 project and ended with a $6000 plus beauty.

The “TinBoat” website has many many restoration projects and ideas.

Only advice is that it takes a lot longer than you think to complete.

Everything you mention is possible, it’s just a question of money. And at the end of the process, there is no ROI, the boat will be worth what a good condition Dominator is worth, even though you’ll have spent much more.

How much of the work do you plan on doing yourself?

Agree on the wrap, a much more cost effective way of “painting” a boat. But not as durable as paint, so get and use a good pair of fenders.

The motor, I can’t see repowering with new. New outboard prices are just INSANE for the major makes. Unless your budget is unlimited, I’d think that a running outboard is the last thing on the list that I’d mess with. It’s lasted 20 years so it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Carpet I’d hire done. Problem here is for this season you’re approaching CrazyTime at the places that do this work. If you’re planning on getting it done this year, HURRY.

Grouse

I would just plan on doing a transom repair if your going to do that much work to it.