60's vintage Lone Star Skipper acquired, Restoration done.

Troy Fields

Troy Fields

Well-known member
I know this is a tin boat so remove if necessary.

I just picked this up over the weekend. As a teen (and perhaps some of you) my cousin and I fished many days/years out of a Lone Star and I have periodically been looking for one around this area. As luck would have it, I found this one on a vacant wood lot of all places that had a lot of other "stuff" on it as well. I contacted the owner and he was willing to part with it as it has sat for 12 years in the upside down state on the trailer. Surprisingly the trailer tires were still inflated and we were able to load it onto my flatbed trailer with relative ease.

Upon arriving home, a fairly quick wash with a nylon scouring pad revealed a very nice outer hull. I haven't yet turned the boat over to examine the inside but will be replacing the seats with clear varnished oak or mahogany and also removing the console in order to use a tiller motor.

Anyways, that's my story, hope you enjoyed and please chime in if you have a history with Lone Star boats.

Take care.
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My great uncle had one, their cottage was right next door to ours growing up. Went over to help him get into the boat lift and roll it up (and to check what he had for fish) many, many times over he years when I was young. Very distinctive boat on the water, you could ID him tolling from a long ways off. Boat always seemed pretty tippy for a boat that with that beam, then again, his beam was larger than most. :).
 
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Hey Troy,
I love messing with tin boats. Everyone should have a handful:

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What size is the Skipper? That front console would be fun with a jet outboard, running the ME rivers. Although it's hard to beat a tiller and an open cockpit for fishing and hunting. Looks like fun!

Scott
 
The hull cleaned up very well Troy. A little TLC on the inside and she'll look good. Nice find.
 
Very nice find indeed!

What's the length & width?

Cant wait to see the progress as you clean it up.
 
Great find, Troy!


I look forward to seeing her sea trials.


Interesting your transport mode - I just decided to do the same thing with the 25-year-old Sneakbox and trailer I helped a friend build (I have yet to remove it from Classifieds). I will be hauling it north later this Fall. Rather than try to get an old, unknown trailer ready for 250 miles of Interstates, I will stack both on my flatbed - just as you did. My flatbed is only a 4x10 - but will easily handle the weight. I will give the trailer the full "spa treatment" once it's within reach of my shop.


All the best,


SJS






 
Thanks Steve,

I got lucky on the wheel base width. The Lone Star trailer width was 72", my flat bed was 74" on the inside. I didn't have nearly as far to travel as you, only 20 miles or so but did not want to risk those neglected hubs and bearings.

I'll be sure to post follow-up pictures.

take care.
 
Troy~


Yes - my trailer bed is exactly as wide as the tires (outside measurement) of the trailer. So, I will rig some chocks to give myself plenty of leeway either side. My bed is 3/4-inch plywood - so I commonly screw down whatever custom chocks I need for my many projects. I always rig redundant ratchet straps as well.



All the best,


SJS

 
I don't have any pictures, but in the 1980's my parents bought a well-used, faded paint Lone Star boat that we renovated to use on Lake Michigan for chasing salmon.

The first round was just getting her seaworthy; we tore out the interior, and spent I can't tell you how many hours with a crayon, circling the rivets that were leaking. Drive down to the launch, put the boat in the water while standing on the ribs, looking for drips and leaks. Go home, drill out, replace, and go back the next day.

We took out the front hatch and filled the hole with aluminum to create a solid front deck, put in some additional oak stringers to stiffen the bottom, put in all new plywood floor, and Mom saved the wood from the seats to have patterns to work with...she made new seats from naugahyde/"pleather"...hung a 50-horse on the back in place of the old, original motor.

The second summer was the new seats, new paint (Dad painted in my grandparents' garage in the summer heat), chocolate brown on top with a light tan below.

Renamed her "Gertie" after Drew Barrymore's character in "E.T." because of her attitude and spunk.

Dad built downriggers from scratch based on a set of plans developed by my grandfather, we set the downrigger/rod holder board in place on the transom, and chased salmon with her for the next several years out of Algoma, Wisconsin for two weeks every August.

Nowadays, people would have pictures of every rivet being drilled...back then, we just did it to be able to fish and get the work done...I wish I had more pictures from then, but the memories are worth plenty.
 
So she is ready to fish. We launch it today, no leaks, so that was great! And Terrie put the first fish on board too. This little project went along great and I look forward to using this boat for many years ahead.

Oak seats with pine floor boards.

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I was able to get some vinyl replicas to replace the originals.

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The test float/maiden voyage.

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Terrie with the first fish to the boat.

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A nice little Mousam Lake Brown.
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That's awesome! Does it measure 15' 11"?

My dad had a 1965 Lone Star with an 18 hp Evninrude Fastwinn. I grew up catching walley, pike and perch on that boat!
 
I love that rig. That brand freaking new Yamaha even has a retro look to it to match. Sweet boat!

I like those down east rod holders.
 
My dad said there was a reason that boat was built 15' 11". I can't remember why though, something about registration requirements or some such.

I was raised in MI and fished Canada and SC and even used it to run the Mississippi river in it to chase ducks in the Gulf marsh. That hull could handle quite a load and I tested it to the max.

Excellent job on the restoration!
 
Thanks again. Yes, the 15'11" puts in the "under 16' " category which has lesser safety requirements. I have a safety box that goes from boat to boat to cover all that anyways, but he was indeed correct.
 
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