Thanks for the good report on the hull construction. It seemed much too solid to have wood in it for its age.
I use the boat on the Illinois River, often spending 3 or 4 nights out in it. It sits in its slip at the Marina during the season and on blocks or the trailer during the winter. I never take it to Clinton Lake.
When I purchased the boat a few years ago it needed a transom and wiring and both have since been addressed. Once while searching engines on the web I found a picture at a Florida Marina of its exact twin with a rental type number on the hull (for example # 5) in addition to the registration. My boat had that exact kind of number and was set up like the one I saw. Makes me think it might have been a rental boat for people taking day trips on the ocean for fishing. Anyway, the boat had some rough use over the years.
I don't have the time, treasure or talent to fully restore it, although it would be a candidate for that since, in spite of the rough use, the hull and decks are sound, the transom is now repaired and the stringers are strong and dry. So my aim has been to neat it up a bit and make it seaworthy and look presentable. Have painted the cabin exterior and just finished getting all the rest of the exterior surfaces ready for paint that will be applied this weekend if the weather holds.
Thanks again for the help.
R Burlington